2024 Chef Ambassador, The Cottage Café Bakery & Tea Room

Bluffton, SC

Participating In: Feast by the Field Saturday & Sunday Supper

Look up the word “visionary” and you just might find a photo of Leslie Rohland. As proprietor of multiple Bluffton enterprises—The Juice HiveMay River Coffee RoastersBluffton Pasta Shoppe and Old Town’s coziest cafe, bakery and tearoom, The Cottage, she has built a culinary career out of following her bliss.

Of course, achieving success hasn’t always been breezy. But armed with a vibrant imagination and an ear naturally attuned to her instincts, Chef Rohland basks in the journey as she does what she loves best: crafting delicious food and sharing it with others. It seems like a career in food has always been in the cards for her.

“I knew I was built for the culinary world from my very first job,” she said. “It was a ‘one-person-slice-a-pizza kiosk’ in a groovy, rustic mall in Salt Lake City. I ran this tiny shop by cooking pizza, serving customers, pouring soda, handling money and managing inventory. What I liked most about this experience was the full spectrum training and this is where I grew to appreciate the satisfaction that comes from serving a tasty and fulfilling meal, whatever the meal.”

That kind of self-discovery, as well as the influence of two grandmothers who exhibited versatility, patience, keen palates and creativity in the kitchen, were key to her success. Now that success is being recognized in a way that will allow Chef Rohland to make widespread contributions to the state’s culinary culture.

As a 2024 South Carolina Chef Ambassador, she is one of three accomplished chefs who will spend the coming year sharing culinary knowledge and experiences with the dining public. During a one-year tenure, these special representatives will conduct cooking demonstrations, promote healthy nutrition and highlight our rich agricultural bounty and heritage.