Chefs Collaborative on Ossabaw Island

April 25 - 27, 2025

Imagine a pristine barrier island for 8 friends accompanied by a talented team of naturalists, chefs, bartenders, artists and musicians. Welcome to GK’s weekend on Ossabaw!

Located just south of Savannah, Ossabaw Island is beautiful beyond description and only available to visit by invitation. Take in picture-perfect sunrises, tour historic ruins, explore a protected barrier island, and sit a spell on rocking-chair front porches with marsh views for miles. And your island guide: Georgia’s greatest living naturalist and former GBP- TV host, Cathy Sakas.

 

Food and Drink

Collaborative by nature, the food experience on Ossabaw Island is a culinary tour de force. Headlining this years Ossabaw experience: 

  • Melissa Davis - Our on island sommelier

  • Chris "Chino" Hathcock - Odd Gai / Shinpaku, formerly head chef at Husk, Savannah

  • Sam Herndon - Staplehouse, Former Hugh Acheson’s Culinary Director

  • Terry Koval - The Deer and The Dove, Fawn

  • Todd Mussman - Muss & Turner’s, MTH Pizza, Local Three, Roshambo 

  • Carlo and Mia Orino - Kamayan ATL

  • Mike Sheats - The Plate Sale and Mule Train 

  • Ryan Turner - Muss & Turner’s, MTH Pizza, Local Three, Roshambo

  • Suzanne Vizethann - Buttermilk Kitchen 

  • Brian Wolfe - Former Head Chef Kimball House, Evans Meats 

Art, Culture & Live Music

Offering insight into history and the artistic mission of the Ossabaw Island Foundation, Giving Kitchen is honored to welcome award winning husband and wife duo author Janisse Ray (Ecology of a Cracker Childhood) and artist Raven Waters. Janisse and Raven will lead a discussion of coastal Georgia’s ecology, culture and it’s impact on their creative expression.  Guests will be able to take home an island portrait from Raven painted over the weekend on Ossabaw. 

Nashville country music star Kristina Murray will be our featured musical guest for the weekend. Kristina, an Atlanta native with a big heart for Giving Kitchen, will play classic country covers Friday night around the campfire and a “listening room” set of original music inside the historic Torrey-West family Mansion on Saturday evening.

About the Weekend

Food and beverage pairings will highlight the history and culture of Georgia’s coast; from historic rum punches of 1800s Savannah to the historic foodway cultures of Ossabaw Island - including a special presentation of Geechee inspired food from The Plate Sale. 

8 guests stay in the Boarding House: a meticulously restored historic house with four private bedrooms, an amazing kitchen, and a front porch that looks over the island. 

Trip begins in the early afternoon on April 25th and wraps up in the morning of April 27th. 

Last but not least, your hosts for the weekend Jen Hidinger-Kendrick, Giving Kitchen Founder, and Bryan Schroeder. 

Taylor Olmstead