Lauren Furey

My name is Lauren Furey and I dish up a fresh & youthful food perspective for private dining, everyday meals and cooking lessons. Charleston, South Carolina is filled with bustling kitchens, never ending sunshine, and creative minds. I fell in love with Charleston and its soulful cuisine the very first time I visited. Since then, I have been lucky enough to work in several high profile local restaurants where I learned enough to offer private chef services and inspiring cooking classes. You can catch me around town hosting pop-up restaurants which always incorporate the delicious, local ingredients from our Lowcountry water and land. I accredit Chef/Owner Carlo Demarco of 333 Belrose Bar and Grill in Radnor, Pennsylvania for initially encouraging me to jump into the culinary arts and giving me the opportunity to work side by side with him as his culinary intern in high school. We are still in touch weekly and he continues to provide valuable advice and support. I am proud to call him my friend and mentor. Chef Bob Waggoner, previously the Executive Chef at the Charleston Grill, who currently owns "In the Kitchen with Bob Waggoner" was kind enough to hire me when I first landed in Charleston. Working with other amazing, high-profile chefs at local restaurants taught me the techniques necessary to thrive in high-pressure environments and the many ways I could deliver thoughtful cuisine, seasoned with plenty of love. While I will always be grateful for those experiences, I realized that working as a cook in a restaurant didn't allow me to connect with my guests as much as face-to-face cooking does. I pressed on to Williams Sonoma, where I taught entertaining culinary classes on King Street here in Charleston. I most recently apprenticed with Nathalie Dupree, a James Beard award-winning chef, author and cooking show host who works primarily with American Southern cuisine. Nathalie taught me to always season with love and is instrumental to my confidence in the culinary arts.