COLUMBIA — It was executive chef Javier Uriarte's first time in the South Carolina Statehouse.

The proprietor and kitchen leader of Ratio in Elgin wasn't filibustering on the Senate floor or lobbying lawmakers. He was accepting an honor.

Uriarte was one of three chefs from across the state chosen as South Carolina Chef Ambassadors. The program, in its 10th year, allows three chefs the chance to represent the state through a program meant to promote South Carolina's culinary reputation at events like the Charleston Wine + Food Festival and Greenville's food festival, Euphoria.

"Some of the best things in my life have happened in this state. Getting married, having a kid, opening a restaurant, having this career and now being able to represent the state as an ambassador … it's an honor," Uriarte told The Post and Courier at a press conference announcing this year's ambassadors.

He was chosen alongside chef Leslie Rohland of Bluffton's The Cottage Cafe, Bakery & Tea Room and chef Michael Sibert of Greer's Anonymous Burgers.

It was the first time in the program's 10-year history that a chef from the Charleston area wasn't among the chosen ambassadors. 

Rohland, who runs a total of six businesses in the Bluffton area, opened The Cottage in a historic Old Town Bluffton cottage in 2009. Known for her bacon pimento shrimp and grits, Rohland was awarded the inaugural 2022 Women in Business Award by the Bluffton Chamber of Commerce for her leadership in the community. 

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A Greenwood native and graduate of Greenville Technical College’s Culinary Institute of the Carolinas, Sibert trained in New Orleans before moving to Greer, where he held two executive chef positions before opening Anonymous Burgers in Cartwright Food Hall in 2023.

Uriarte owns Ratio in Elgin, a growing community in Kershaw County. His restaurant serves Peruvian-inspired small plates with a South Carolina spin. The cocktail program is led by prominent Columbia-area bartender Grant McCloskey. Uriarte opened the intimate eatery a few months into the COVID-19 pandemic after departing Main Street's rooftop bar and restaurant Hendrix. 

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Head chef of Ratio in Elgin, Javier Uriarte, was chosen as one of three SC Chef Ambassadors for 2024. He accepts his award at the S.C. Statehouse on Jan. 18, 2024. Lynn Luc/Special to The Post and Courier

The local chef grew up in Peru and moved to the United States as a young teenager. From a young age, Uriarte worked in the restaurant industry near the Washington, D.C., area. When he got to Columbia in 2013, he spent time at local spots like Motor Supply Company Bistro and Cola's. 

He and the other chef ambassadors will spend the next year attending various events around the state. The Chef Ambassador program was created by South Carolina's Department of Agriculture and the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism in 2014 to help promote the state’s culinary scene.

Typically, the program chooses three to five chefs from across the state each year. Previous Columbia-area ambassadors include Chris Williams of Roy's Grille, Jessica Shillato of Spotted Salamander Cafe and Catering, and Kiki Cyrus of Kiki's Chicken and Waffles. 

Last year's chef ambassadors were Erica McCier (Abbeville), Rob Masone (Rock Hill) and Marcus Shell (Charleston). 

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Growth and development reporter

Hannah Wade covers growth, development and new business at the Post and Courier Columbia. She previously worked as the food writer for the Free Times. Before joining Post and Courier Columbia/Free Times, Hannah worked as a reporting and photojournalism intern with The Greenville News. She graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2021. 

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