Since Leslie opened The Cottage in 2009, she has transformed one of Bluffton’s most historic cottages into one of the Lowcountry’s most popular, and highly regarded, restaurants. The Cottage Cafe, Bakery & Tea Room and The Juice Hive. She is also the creator/owner/”chief roaster” at May River Coffee Roasters. Since Leslie opening The Cottage in 2009, she has transformed one of Bluffton’s most historic cottages into one of the Lowcountry’s most popular, and highly regarded, restaurants.
Leslie has won many local and national awards for her cuisine since founding The Cottage Café, including numerous “Good Food Awards” (a highly regarded national food competition.) She has been named a winner in the national USA TODAY 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards – where The Cottage was honored as one of the top 5 Shrimp & Grits dishes in the entire state of South Carolina for its Bacon Pimento Shrimp & Grits and has won multiple honors in the Artisan Flave Awards.
Leslie’s commitment to bettering the Greater Bluffton area through her culinary endeavors is evident through her quarterly fundraisers for local charities, including events raising money for Paws Rehome, Search + Rescue through a “Bring Your Dog to Brunch” event, and restaurant fundraisers for the Palmetto Animal League.
In 2024, Governor McMaster named Leslie as one of three South Carolina Chef Ambassadors. This is the 10th year of the program, which was created in 2014 to highlight South Carolina as a destination for great food. Chef Ambassadors represent the state through food festivals and other promotional opportunities, sharing South Carolina’s culinary traditions, agricultural heritage and undiscovered places with the world.
“The Chef Ambassador program celebrates two important sectors of our booming economy — agribusiness and tourism,” McMaster said in the release. “Our state’s outstanding culinary talent contributes to the rich cultural heritage and quality of life that makes South Carolina unique and attractive to all.”
South Carolina Chef Ambassadors support the state’s farmers by using Certified South Carolina produce, meats, dairy, seafood and other farm-fresh foods in their own ways.
HOURS OF OPERATION
Breakfast: Mon-Fri 9-11am, Sat 8-11am
Lunch: Mon-Fri 11am-3pm, Sat 11-3pm
Sunday Brunch: Sundays 8am-2pm
 | The Good Food Awards or GFAs is an annual award competition for outstanding American craft food producers. |
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The Cottage- 2022 Readers Choice Winner: Great news! The Cottage won Bluffton’s Favorite European Restaurant! |
