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Gullah Geechee CATERING Excellence

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EXPERIENCE AUTHENTIC, GULLAH CUISINE.

You've just found the Gullah Geechee Cuisine that thousands

across the country rave about.

Premiere Catering Company in Charleston, SC

Carolima's Lowcountry Cuisine is a food catering service specializing in Gullah Geechee catering, an authentic African American cuisine that combines African cooking techniques with local ingredients. We offer catering for every event, including: luncheons, breakfasts, and family reunions, in Charleston, SC.

Most people have indulged in Gullah Geechee cuisine without realizing it. Okra soup, seafood soups, red rice, garlic crabs, grits, and oysters are all a part of Lowcountry cooking, with an emphasis on seafood and grains. If you’re not a huge seafood fan, our catering company also makes amazing fried chicken, roast beef, mac n’ cheese, and scrumptious breakfast dishes!

Authentic, Quality Cuisine Made with Love.

We take both our food, and our business, seriously. As caterers, we are determined to serve delicious, high-quality food at your event, made perfectly for you and your guests! We consider ourselves ambassadors for Gullah Geechee food and culture, so it’s our goal to ensure you have the best possible service and love the food!

how can we serve you

Buffet table at an event, featuring a charcuterie board, chafing dishes, flowers, and bread, set against a backdrop of brick and painted walls.

Full Service Catering

Elevate your events with our Gullah Geechee-inspired full-service catering. Immerse yourself in tradition and convenience, letting us handle every detail for a professionally presented and culturally rich experience.

A buffet setup with four chafing dishes on a dark wood cabinet against a white wall. Silver dishes contain food, utensils rest beside them.

Drop-Off Services

Savor the taste of Gullah Geechee excellence at your convenience. Our drop-off services bring carefully curated menus straight to your doorstep, ensuring culinary delight without the need for on-site staff.

Pick-Up Services

Enjoy culinary excellence on your terms. With our pick-up services, select your favorites from our diverse menu and elevate your gatherings with Gullah Geechee-inspired cuisine, ready for pick-up at your convenience.

WE ARE YOUR PARTNER IN AUTHENTIC GULLAH CUISINE.

are YOU looking for something different?

Well...You've found it!

Two women hugging in front of Carolina's restaurant, smiling. The restaurant has a glass door and brick exterior.

'We be da' DYNAMIC DUO

Hey there! Sameka & 'Emma, your Gullah Geechee Chefs in the kitchen.

As sisters with a passion for cooking, we bring a unique blend of cultural heritage and culinary expertise to your dining experience. Explore our Gullah infused menus and let us elevate your next event with the rich and authentic taste of Carolima’s.

From savory delights to sweet treats, we craft culinary experiences that go beyond the ordinary. Join us on a flavorful journey that celebrates tradition, flavor, and the vibrant spirit of the Lowcountry. Can't wait to make your next event truly special!

Sameka & 'Emma

Check Out What's New In The Blog

Referrals, Relationships, and Repeat Customers: Relationships Matter More Than Followers

By Rachel Johnson • April 14, 2026

For many small business owners, marketing can feel overwhelming, especially when budgets are tight and time is limited. The good news is that some of the most effective marketing strategies do not cost much at all. This month, focus on a few simple things that can make a big impact: share your story on social media, ask happy customers to leave Google reviews, and partner with other local businesses in your community. At Carolima’s, some of our best opportunities have come from relationships we built in the community and from people sharing our name with others after attending an event or tasting our food. One of the biggest lessons we have learned is that your business needs more than just social media to grow. If social media disappeared tomorrow, would your customers still know how to find you? That is why it is important to build an email list, keep your website updated, send text reminders, and stay connected with people in real life. For Carolima’s, some of our strongest relationships have come from networking events, community involvement, and simply showing up in spaces where people can get to know us. One conversation has often led to another opportunity, another event, or another referral. We have also learned that one happy customer can turn into five more. We have had clients book us for a wedding, then call us back for a baby shower, a birthday party, or even a corporate event. We have had guests taste our food at one event and then reach out months later because they remembered the macaroni and cheese or the banana pudding. Great customer service, follow-up, thank-you messages, and simply making people feel cared for can make all the difference. If you are trying to grow your business, do not underestimate the power of relationships. Join us at our upcoming small business mixer to meet other local business owners, exchange ideas, and make meaningful connections. Bring plenty of business cards because you never know who may become your next client, referral partner, or collaborator. Small Business Mixer Join our weekly newsletter: Carolima's Weekly Newsletter

Are You Building a Business or Just Staying Busy?

By Rachel Johnson • April 9, 2026

Running a small business can sometimes feel like you are constantly moving but never really getting ahead. You are answering emails, posting on social media, ordering supplies, helping customers, handling invoices, and putting out fires all day long. At the end of the week, you may feel exhausted, but still wonder if you actually moved your business forward. That is the difference between working in your business and working on your business. Working in the business keeps things running day to day, but working on the business means taking time to think about your systems, your goals, your finances, and where you want to go next. One of the biggest mistakes small business owners make in the first few years is staying stuck in survival mode for too long. Many people underprice their services because they are afraid of losing customers. Others forget to track expenses, follow up with clients, or put systems in place that make the business easier to run. It is easy to think you will figure it all out later, but “later” often turns into burnout, frustration, and feeling like you are doing everything yourself. The truth is, every successful business owner has had moments where they felt overwhelmed or made mistakes. That is part of the journey. The important thing is learning from those mistakes and making small changes that help your business grow. Maybe that means finally raising your prices, creating better customer follow-up systems, setting office hours, or finding tools that save you time. Small improvements can make a huge difference over time. If you are a business owner, ask yourself this week: what is one thing in your business that needs to improve? Then bring that answer with you to our Small Business Mixer on May 7. You may be surprised how many other business owners have faced the same struggles and found ways to work through them. Small Business Mixer Join our weekly newsletter: Carolima's Weekly Newsletter

Rice, Rice Baby: The Soul of Charleston Cooking

By Rachel Johnson • March 30, 2026

In Charleston, rice is more than just a side dish—it is the soul of the Lowcountry table. Long before Charleston became a celebrated culinary destination, it was known as the “Rice Kingdom” of early America. The tidal rice fields that once lined the coast were cultivated using knowledge brought by enslaved West Africans, many of whom were skilled rice growers. Their expertise not only shaped the agricultural economy of the region but also laid the foundation for what we now recognize as Charleston cuisine. At the heart of many iconic Lowcountry dishes is rice, serving as both the base and the bridge that ties flavors together. From rich, savory red rice to comforting, perfectly seasoned purloo, rice is the canvas that absorbs layers of flavor—meats, fresh seafood, spices, and slow-cooked vegetables. It stretches meals, feeds families, and brings people together around the table. In true Gullah Geechee tradition, rice isn’t just food—it’s nourishment, community, and heritage in every bite. Growing up, rice wasn’t just something we made—it was something we were taught. I remember standing in the kitchen, watching pots simmer low, being told not to rush it, don't touch, and to always respect the kitchen. It showed up at every table—Sunday dinners, family gatherings, even the meals we pulled together with whatever we had on hand. Rice stretched the meal, but it also held it together. And without anyone saying it outright, we were being taught something deeper—that this wasn’t just food, it was tradition. Even now, every pot of rice carries those same lessons, connecting what we cook today to the hands and stories that came before us. If you’re looking to bring the spirit of Charleston cuisine into your own kitchen, start with rice. Build your dishes from the ground up—layering bold flavors with meats, fresh vegetables, and thoughtful seasoning while honoring the traditions that make Lowcountry cooking so special. And when you’re ready to experience it the way it’s meant to be—authentic, soulful, and unforgettable—let Carolima’s handle it for you. Book us for your next catered event and give your guests a true taste of the Lowcountry. Be sure to join our weekly newsletter to stay connected with our community, get updates on upcoming events, and keep the flavor going beyond the table. Join our weekly newsletter: Carolima's Weekly Newsletter