Harvesting Heritage: Pee Dee Palate

Born and raised in North Charleston, Amethyst Ganaway has been featured in the New York Times, Food & Wine, Garden & Gun and more. Specializing in Southern and African American foodways and the foodways of the African Disapora, Ganaway also recently headlined the Charleston Wine + Food Festival. She uses her position as a chef and food writer to tell the stories of the region’s history, culture, art, cuisine, and environment. 

Kirk Wardy, originally from Brooklyn, New York, now resides in Florence, South Carolina. With a background in television journalism, he began his career as a production assistant in New York before working as a cameraman at WPDE, WSAV, WOLO, News14 Raleigh, and CBS Philadelphia. After years in broadcasting, Kirk transitioned into entrepreneurship, founding Southern Queen Foods, a line of grits and rice products inspired by his mother’s legacy and deep Southern roots. His journey back to South Carolina to care for his mother reconnected him with his heritage, shaping his passion for food and storytelling. Today, he takes pride in sharing the flavors and traditions of the South while honoring his family’s agricultural background.

Dr. Howard Conyers, a NASA aerospace engineer and barbecue historian, is passionate about preserving Black barbecue heritage. A native of Manning, South Carolina, he earned a BS in Bioenvironmental Engineering from North Carolina A&T State University before completing his MS and PhD in Mechanical Engineering at Duke University.

Beyond his engineering career, Howard uncovered the overlooked contributions of Black pitmasters to American barbecue. His research led him to host PBS’s Nourish and earn features in The New York Times, Southern Living, Bon Appétit, and more. Committed to education and advocacy, he mentors, lectures, and serves on the board of Radical Xchange.

When not engineering or cooking, Howard enjoys time with his wife, Kathryn, exploring museums, and collecting historical farm tools. His dedication to storytelling and barbecue continues to uplift the voices long erased from history.

Terry James is the Director of the Jamestown Foundation in Florence County which works to preserve the legacy of former enslaved person, Ervin James, Terry’s great-great-great grandfather. Following the Civil War, Ervin bought 105 acres of land and built wooden homes on it that still stand today. He also fostered a self-sustained community that was a haven for Black South Carolinians. Terry and his family’s mission is to honor Ervin’s contributions to make sure that Jamestown not only survives but thrives.