My wife and I decided that we wanted to experience the food scene in Charleston while here and she, on a whim, booked with undiscovered Charleston. We arrived at the "Pineapple Fountain" and was greeted by Chef Forrest Parker! What a FANTASTIC tour of the city and that wasn't even the actual food part yet (although his extensive knowledge of the history of local cuisine is amazing). Once we got to eat though.....it's like the Dudes rug (it pulled it all together). To start we had shrimps and grits. I was too busy eating to get pictures. Second, pork over rice and beans so good! Last but not least, bread pudding. By this time I had slowed down enough to snag a picture before digging in. Well worth the time! read more

Undiscovered Charleston - Bread pudding. - Food Tours Near Me

You might be thinking $250 is a lot, but Chef Forrest gives you an ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL day! You get a great tour of the city and the food he cooks for you is simply amazing. 100% worth every penny! Trust all of those 5 star reviews and book today!!! You won't be sorry!!! read more

A tour with Chef Forrest must be on the top of your list when in Charleston. Chef Forrest hosted 12 LSU ladies on a historic tour around the city. He was so knowledgeable and a great story teller. He was very accommodating to our needs and what knowlege we wanted to gain in the tour. The tour ended at his restaurant/bar Azur and we were treated to a 3 course wine tasting lunch, which was AMAZING!! He gave us some tips and tricks for the foodies and poured wines for those that just wanted to be served. I feel so lucky that I was able to secure Chef Forrest to be our personal tour guide AND then have him cook some Charleston household dishes. read more

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We've been on a number of tours around Charleston and were hesitant to book this because we thought it would be repetitious. Well, I'm so happy we did this tour! The first part, a walking tour, gives you insights to things around Charleston that other tours do not. We had walked the same streets before, but not had the insights that Chef Forrest offers. Then you head into Chef's business where he creates a 3 course meal for you of elevated southern dishes. Wow! All the dishes were fantastic and he does the final prep in front of you and is more than happy to share insights on how to create them. Local ingredients are emphasized and Chef explains what makes them unique. I highly recommend this tour!! read more

Wow-wow-wow! Worth. Every. Penny. Great history mixed in with wine & food. Had so much fun with the small group experience. Walked for about an hour through historical places and ended up at the Azur restaurant. Chef says he changes the menu weekly, but we had gazpacho THAT WAS AMAZING, the best shrimp & grits of my life and ended with a local Huguenot torte. Tip: Pack a bottle of water for the walk - or you can purchase a drink near the beginning of the walking tour at a coffee shop. We take food tours everywhere we travel and this one was the best, hands down! read more

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Awesome experience and great food. Forrest was a phenomenal host, introducing us to Southern cuisine. It was a great way to learn about the history of the city and its food scene. read more

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This was the most fun experience of our entire trip to Charleston in July! The walking tour was insightful as seen from a food perspective and how the current food scene in Charleston has developed. Chef Forrest was knowledgeable in Charleston history. The second part of the tour was nothing short of AMAZING!! 3 courses paired with 3 different wines. Each course included locally grown produce and ingredients. All of the food was 10/10 delicious! We were encouraged to ask questions about the methods used to make each dish, what ingredients were used and where to purchase them. Come hungry because you will be fed exceptionally well!!! When we return to Charleston in the future we will absolutely book another tour with Undiscovered Charleston and Chef Forrest! read more

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WOW! This was the highlight of our trip and an amazing way to learn about Charleston and the food history. We thoroughly enjoyed our tour with Chef Forrest and highly recommend this to any foodie interested in learning about the various restaurants and chefs and the history of the cuisine. The only thing I would've changed is to have eaten breakfast beforehand (I thought it was a tasting tour - but food didn't happen until closer to lunchtime after long walking tour). The tour was very interesting and informative though and I learned and saw a lot. From the Battery and throughout town, I enjoyed how Chef acknowledged the "twisted" history and wove in his appreciation for the culture and food scene that has evolved over the years. Chef's stories and how he also tapped into the guests' hometown food scenes was also impressive. Thanks for the memories, the delicious eats and of course - the hot sauce! Don't miss this one!!! read more

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You could come to Charleston for the Undiscovered Charleston tour with Chef Forrest Parker alone. We spent the first two hours walking around the beautiful city of Charleston. Chef Parker was knowledgeable, entertaining and takes you to not only to the popular points of interest, but many interesting places off the beaten path. After the walking tour he cooked for us up close and personal. Not only was the food (chef's kiss), he continues to educate and entertain. I can't wait to come back with friends and family to do it again! A must for any trip to Charleston. read more

This was the best tour I have EVER taken! Chef Forrest gave a fantastic tour of the city and then back to the restaurant Azur for a remarkable cooking demonstration followed by an excellent meal highlighted by shrimp and grits and gazpacho. Listen up! He is incredibly funny and knowledgeable of everything Charleston and cooking. A little pricey but you will enjoy this tour as the first thing to tell your friends about your Charleston vacation. No lie! read more

What an incredible experience! As educators, we have always looked to find ways to make connections, to enhance the learning experience. Chef Forrest does just that and does it well. He is funny, articulate, knowledgeable, and his food he cooked for us was out of this world! If you want an amazing authentic Charleston experience, book this tour! read more

Whoa!! What a great experience and most incredible meal I've ever had personally prepared fresh in front of us. From the great walking tour, to the entertaining history of the city, to the very delicious meal prepared, it was truly a five star experience! This is definitely a great way to see the town and taste the experience. Chef is clearly very passionate about the city and the food he prepares. Highly recommend this tour and meal to embrace the Charleston experience! read more

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This is a double "Holy Crap" !!!! Chef Forrest gives a great tour of Charleston which is one part history, one part food history and one part his brand of humor (definitely funny - at times). One of the reasons I liked him as a guide Is he doesn't brush over some of the darker history but mixes it in with the not so dark stuff. After about two hours he ends at his restaurant and cooks a meal in front of you. Ours was shrimp and grits, with hoppin John and collard greens. Very contentious of food allergies (we have gluten and tree nut allergies) he was able to adjust on the fly. The food was really really good - honestly as good as any we have had anywhere else in town. His passion for the history of Charleston and food (he collects old menus) makes this a unique tour - well worth the price. Our favorite activity in the city by far! Wear comfortable shoes and DO NOT EAT BEFORE YOU GO). read more

This is a must do if you are visiting Charleston. Chef Forrest's tour was so informative with the history of Charleston from battle to dinner plate. Very personable and funny guide that takes you along some of the most historical venues in the city. And to top it off, he cooked some amazing dishes tied to the area. Please by all means take this tour. You won't be disappointed! read more

I am so glad I believed all the rave online reviews about this tour. They were all at least correct, and probably understated! This was absolutely fantastic. Our scheduled four hour event turned out to be five hours just because all of us guests, as well as Chef Forrest Parker, were having such a great time!!!!! The information on his walking tour was fascinating. Chef brought his A game, and we learned so much about the history of Charleston, interwoven with the culinary story of the area. You don't have to be a foodie to enjoy this tour, but if you are a foodie you'll be over the moon. Chef is knowledgeable, funny and interesting. And then, when you get to his restaurant, the real magic begins. The food and wine pairings were perfect. Watching him effortlessly prepare food for us eight guests was mesmerizing. I will NEVER forget his shrimp grits.....the real real real recipe for shrimp grits. No other version should even be entitled to use the name! I guess there are just not enough superlatives. Find out for yourself. Don't miss this. read more

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Super great introduction to the cities history architecture and food story. The way chef intertwines all three brought life to the city only to be followed by an elevated version of shrimp and grits. These are the best I've ever experienced. No lie. The story telling along the way and while chef cooked for us made it feel like we were in his home enjoying a meal among friends. Highly recommend. read more

Wonderful, very informative tour, which is rich on local history and accented on domestic traditions. The chef embraces you with his love to cook and his story. The chef accommodated us without an advance request which is another kudos from us. We like wine pairings and delicious course, my personal favorite is the desert. The tour requires some walking, so please make sure you are good to walk for a mile on uneven Charleston's sidewalks. Highly read more

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Chef Gump was amazing. We started with a walking tour around Charleston. I love that he didn't limit the info to just culinary history but general history of Charleston as well. Chef was funny, knowledgeable, and personable. We enjoyed our time on the tour and then had a delicious meal prepared in front of us with local ingredients based around the local flavors. The meal is prepared in a quiant little bistro where he pairs wines with each course. It was delicious and and made me feel like I could even prepare some of it at home. I would definitely do the tour again if a available in other cities. Wink wink * take this show on the road Chef!! We would love to experience this type of tour in other cities. Thank you Chef Gump for an amazing first day in Charleston. You made our trip even more memorable. read more

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What an incredible experience with Chef Parker. The history was so interesting. And then happy to be at the restaurant and watch his magic! A wealth of knowledge about history and cooking! Such a talented master chef and all around nice guy:)) read more

My husband and I have participated in food and restuarant experiences across the U.S. and throughout Europe. Chef Gump's "Charleston Food Tour with Cooking Demonstration" was by far, the best experience! His entertaining stories coupled with the amazing meal made for our best day in Charleston. The wine pairings were spot on. We even bought a few bottles to take home with us. Watching him prepare the courses was just as entertaining as the history of Charleston that he provided. He was very conscientious about social distancing (because of COVID). There were 4 couples, and social distancing during the tour and lunch was never an issue. He wore gloves throughout, and hand sanitizer was available to participants. Can't wait to visit Charleston again. Wouldn't think of coming without booking another tour with Chef Gump. read more

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Had a wonderful time on the tour with Chef Forrest! He made the walking tour fun and informative. Then when it came to the food and wine pairing, it was even better. He made 3 delicious items for us and accommodated my food allergy. The reviews our true, you will enjoy this tour so much!! read more

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Love history? Love food? Love wine? Chef Forrest Parker shares his passion for Charleston history with his passion for cooking. He truly loves what he does. He lead our small group through the historic district of Charleston, discussing historical information, stopping to point out architectural features, as well as sharing an abundance of food knowledge and historical food facts. Upon completion of our walking tour we arrived at a small restaurant/bar where he proceeded to prepare us a wonderful 4 course meal with locally sourced items along with tasteful wine parings. This food event is like no other I have ever attended, the entire experience will live a lifetime in my memory. read more

The perfect tour of historic Charleston! Chef along with his associate, gave an interesting and humor filled tour of the city followed by a delectable dining experience in a personalized seeing along with a fine wine pairing. Worth every penny and some, thanks chef forrest. A perfect day well spent and extreme value for money. read more

Chef Forrest Parker was amazing! His knowledge about the beauty city was fantastic. Upon arrival to the Bistro he shared some personal memorabilia with us which was a nice surprise. The food that chef prepared was one of the best meals that I've ever eaten! He walked us through the dishes as he prepared them in front of us. I highly recommend this tour! read more

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Incredible experience! The food and the tour were amazing! Unlike any tour I've ever experienced. I live in Charleston and I can't wait to do it again with my family that comes to visit read more

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Might seem a bit pricey, but it was well worth the money for my wife and I. I had been to Charleston before, but learned a lot about this amazing coastal town from Chef Forrest. The tour starts with introductions among our small group of 8 (Chef Forrest limits the group size to no more than 10). We walked the harbor area streets and learned about the area's fascinating history. After the walking tour (maybe a half mile with lots of stopping), we entered a wine bar where our Chef/tour guide prepared delicious shrimp and grits, duck breast and rice, and an outstanding dessert perfectly paired with white and red wines. As a rule, I don't normally enjoy guided tours - however, this was fun, informative, and delicious! Very unique and highly recommend! read more

Amazing tour, and very personable. Forrest takes you through much of the history of Charleston. I learned about the general history, architecture, and food / drink staples all in just a couple hours. And to finish it off, he makes a KILLER multi-course food and wine pairing. You're missing out if you don't spend half a day to do this. read more

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Superb. This is so much more than a history tour or a cooking class. It's everything that food, travel, and history should be: an experience to write home about. Where do I begin to describe it? When I think of a great meal I think of a flavor journey with nuance, juxtapositions, risks, and pairings that excite and mesmerize; it leaves you with a memory you will savor, share, and never be able to forget. Everything about this experience is that and more, so much more! I have eaten at Michelin star restaurants around the world, and at holes in the wall that are even better than the Michelin stars. This is that good. I have traveled to 27 countries, all 50 states, and taken dozens and dozens of tours as well as cooking classes. This ranks in the top 3 worldwide that I have experienced. Everything is examined through the lens of food, from the perspective of a foodie. The history is as rich as the meal, and helps you appreciate the complexities of American history in the lowcountry from the Civil War all the way to the 1980s and today. It's never boring! The narrative moves right along, with just enough context to get to the point, with enough quips and one liners to keep you entertained and learning, without being heavy-handed, crass, or in search of a laugh. It also touches on very important things that we all need to hear, without being political or uncomfortably personal. The Chef's Food Ambassador status is well earned. And in in addition to being a superb chef, and food ambassador, Forrest has a background in creative writing plus a rich personal history that adds humor, empathy, and invaluable colorful perspective to help reveal hidden Charleston in a way that you will never forget. read more

EAT A VERY LIGHT BREAKFAST BEFORE THE TOUR . Chef "Gump" leads a great tour. He has an extensive knowledge of the city and is very personable. The walking portion highlights the city history with a focus on the Charleston culinary history. The cooking demonstration was fantastic. As he makes your lunch, Chef gives a history lesson on the local ingredients that he uses as well as the history behind some of the dishes. You do not need to worry about only being fed a small taste, this is a huge meal! We will take this tour again next time we visit Charleston. read more

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I was one of the many unfortunate people to have my flight canceled during 2022 Father's Day weekend that had over 1,100 flight cancelations. I tried numerous times to get a hold of anyone associated with this tour and could never get in touch with an actual person. I tried email, phone, voicemail and text. My attempts were 2 days in advance of the scheduled tour and I wasn't looking for a refund, but rather to just reschedule the tour when I could get back to Charleston. The one and only response I did get was through a text that said they would look into it, but I never heard back. The lack of response was so disappointing and just an ounce of understanding would have been appreciated. Every other reservation I had planned for my stay were so nice and accommodating, it would have been appreciated to just hear back from this company. read more

I booked this tour as a surprise for my fiancé and we loved every minute of our time with Chef Forrest!! No detail goes overlooked in both the walking tour and the cooking experience. My fiancé and I were lucky enough for scheduling to only have us two on the tour and it made the experience so much more special. Chef went above and beyond with his cooking skills, meals, and knowledge to share. We have lived in the low country for 2 years and I have never had such an awesome southern hospitality experience to include the best food I have eaten here. If you are in the area visiting or a local this is a MUST DO!!! Chef also follows proper Covid precautions with distancing, masking, hygiene, etc. We felt extremely safe the whole experience. read more

If you love food, this tour CANNOT be missed during your trip to Charleston. My boyfriend and I wanted a food tour where rather than hopping around tourist destinations in the city, we were able to actually speak with a chef who knew the area's cuisine and make a meal that was truly special. Chef Forrest delivered just that. From the start you could see that the food history of Charleston is a major passion of his. We learned so much first history from the walking tour that showed us how Charleston Cuisine became what it is today. Chef Forrest also put so much thought into the meals he made us and connected each dish to the stories he told on our tour. We made so many friends and Chef Forrest made it a point to connect with each and every one of us. This tour may seem expensive, but what Chef Forrest provides is way above and beyond the price he charges. Book this tour and you will not regret it - it will be your favorite thing you do in Charleston. read more

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My mom and I came to Charleston for a fun girls trip in January. We chose Charleston for the food. This tour was the highlight of our trip! Chef Forrest was knowledgeable about the food and history of the city. I enjoyed the food focus of this tour and the cooking demo was phenomenal! He also gave us the shrimp and grits recipe to take home. We took several city tours and saw a lot in the city, but this was definitely the highlight of the trip. This tour is great for anyone who loves a little bit of walking and a lot of food! read more

This tour is fun for groups of all sizes. There were 6 of us who met in college many years ago and enjoyed this tour immensely. We are serious about food and love to learn about history. Chef Forrest is a wonderful historian, is personable and is an incredible chef! We appreciated his thorough knowledge of the food scene in South Carolina. After touring Charleston with him, we sat down to a delicious three course meal. We enjoyed French wine paired with our food while we watched him prepare our meal. We discussed the ingredients he was cooking with as well as cooking techniques. He asked at the beginning of the tour what we wanted to learn about. He was extremely accommodating. Plan on a 3.5-4 hour tour. read more

Our experience with Chef Forrest was unforgettable. He has such an incredible wealth of knowledge about the history of the area and passion for the preservation of historic grains. The tour was thoughtfully planned and we covered an extensive part of downtown Charleston leading us to Bistro A Vin, where Chef proceeded to prepare a phenomenal lunch in front of us. Each dish was delicious and made with local products that connected the history of the low country with an elevated presentation, along with excellent wine pairings. I highly recommend Undiscovered Charleston if you're looking for a personalized and intimate way of experiencing the history of Lowcountry food culture, thank you, Chef! read more

Just finished the best culinary tour my Husband and I have ever gone on. We have been coming to Charleston for the last 6 years and have taken many walking tours, culinary and historical. This tour had it all and we learned some great historical, architectural and insider restaurant tidbits. Chef Forester was just so entertaining and knowledgeable and finish the tour with a fabulous meal was just mind blowing. It went beyond eleven. (Spinal tap reference) read more

Great way to spend half a day in Charleston. Chef Forrest was knowledgeable, passionate, entertaining, and a great chef. Food and wine portions and quality were outstanding, as was Chef Forrest'a knowledge of local food history. Highly recommend! read more

This was a great experience in Charleston. We initially thought it was a bit pricey, but after going through the tour, I felt like it was a steal. The 3-4 course meal at the end was the highlight of the trip. Delicious food and funny jokes throughout the meal. Chef did a great job addressing any questions we had and made sure everybody felt welcome. read more

We had a great time walking the city and learning the history of Charleston. After working up an appetite, Chef made us an awesome meal. Great time! read more

Fantastic, fun, great food and a awesome tour guide/ chef, I would highly recommend this tour. The chef was so informative about the local history and food scene of Charleston... I would do it again the next time I'm in town. read more