South-Carolina
Swamp Rabbit Cafe chef named to 2025 South Carolina Chef Ambassador Class, what to know
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The culinary skills, boldness, and creativity of Jeanne Koenigsberg of Swamp Rabbit Cafe & Grocery have garnered the attention of Gov. Henry McMaster as she was named one of three 2025 South Carolina Chef Ambassadors.
In a press conference held in Columbia on January 13, McMaster appointed Koenigsberg alongside chefs Darren Smith of Conway and Shuai Wang of North Charleston to represent the state through food festivals and other promotional opportunities for visitors and residents of the Palmetto State.
Their duties involve sharing South Carolina’s culinary traditions, agricultural heritage, and undiscovered places within South Carolina and beyond through the art form known as food.
“I’m humbled to accept this nomination in a non-traditional food service establishment,” said Koenigsberg, executive chef and kitchen general manager at Swamp Rabbit Cafe & Grocery. “It reminds us that the work we are doing is important to our community and surrounding communities.
“I know that this will continue to give us a platform to show the importance of local agriculture here in South Carolina,” she said.
Who is Jeanne Koenigsberg and what do SC Ambassadors do?
Honored for her expertise in farm-to-table meals and community engagement, Koenigsberg has expanded Swamp Rabbit Cafe & Grocery’s reach, increasing the restaurant and storefront’s base and seasonal and catered menu options since her arrival in June of 2023.
Prior to Swamp Rabbit Cafe & Grocery, Koenigsberg served as the executive sous chef at the Greenville Convention Center. While in Jacksonville, Florida, she was the executive chef at Wine Cellar and banquet chef for CSX, sous chef at The Museum of Contemporary Art — Jacksonville.
The South Carolina Chef Ambassadors program is now in its 11th year of existence as it assists in combining tourism and agriculture efforts in the state, which collectively contribute tens of billions of dollars to the economy and account for hundreds of thousands of jobs statewide.
Chefs are appointed annually by Gov. McMaster, and the program is run through a partnership between the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism (SCPRT) and the South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA), which directly aims its support to the state’s farmers by using certified South Carolina produce, meats, dairy, seafood, and other farm-fresh foods.
Chefs appointed to the program in the Upstate are commonly seen in prominent culinary roles at large-scale tourist events such as Fall for Greenville, euphoria and more.
“Food is an important part of our state’s history, culture, and economy, and it’s where two of our largest industries – tourism and agriculture – overlap and excel,” said McMaster of the 2025 class of Chef Ambassadors.
“Our world-class culinary talent is highlighted and celebrated through the Chef Ambassador program, showcasing the best of South Carolina chefs, farmers, and locally grown products. I congratulate the 2025 class on this tremendous culinary honor,” he added.
In 2024, the Greer-based chef Michael Sibert of White Wine & Butter was named a 2024 South Carolina Chef Ambassador.
What is Swamp Rabbit Cafe?
Swamp Rabbit Cafe & Grocery is a food market and cafe that has specialized in South Carolina-grown produce from farmers and vendors for nearly 14 years.
Owned by Mary Walsh and Jac Oliver, the neighborhood staple at 205 Cedar Lane Road has been committed to organic and ethically sourced ingredients since its inception, purchasing over $100,000 each month from local vendors and farmers around the state.
Their menu features a taste of locally farmed ingredients, recipes, and easy-to-carry menu items that are lifestyle, diet, and culture-conscious to all of its visitors.
– A.J. Jackson covers the food & dining scene, along with arts, entertainment and downtown culture for The Greenville News. Contact him by email at ajackson@gannett.com, and follow him on X (formally Twitter) @ajhappened. This coverage is only possible with support from our readers. Sign up today for a digital subscription.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WACH) — Contestants in the 2026 Miss South Carolina and Miss South Carolina’s Teen competitions will showcase their talents on Thursday at the Township Auditorium.
Miss South Carolina’s Teen’s Got Talent is set to begin at 5 p.m., followed by Miss South Carolina’s Got Talent at 7 p.m.
READ MORE | Miss South Carolina kicks off with preliminary rounds
The talent competitions are part of the weeklong Miss South Carolina Scholarship Organization competition, which brings delegates from across the state to Columbia to compete for scholarships and the opportunity to represent South Carolina on the national stage.
READ MORE | Miss South Carolina’s Teen preliminary round begins
Contestants competed in fitness, evening wear, and onstage question preliminaries on Wednesday, while Miss South Carolina’s Teen contestants completed their preliminary competition on Tuesday.
Preliminary winners include:
Preliminary Fitness Award winners:
- Jenna Huggins, Miss Clemson
- Lindsay Jones, Miss Charleston
- Reagan McMahon, Miss Chapin
Preliminary Evening Gown Award winners:
- Mary Kimball Osborn, Miss Palmetto
- Chelby Drafts, Miss Golden Corner
- Reagan McMahon, Miss Chapin
Teen Preliminary Fitness Award winners:
- Alissa Claire Rhodes, Miss Fox Creek High School’s Teen
- Kamryn Mathis, Miss Greer High School’s Teen
- Logan Wells, Miss Palmetto’s Teen
Teen Preliminary Evening Gown Award winners:
- Logan Wells, Miss Palmetto’s Teen
- Cleo Floyd-Johnstone, Miss Ballentine’s Teen
- Kursten Long, Miss Newberry’s Teen
The Miss South Carolina’s Teen finals are set for Friday night, while the Miss South Carolina finals will take place Saturday.
Watch the 2026 Miss South Carolina Competition LIVE at 8:00 PM on Saturday, June 20. Tune in on WACH FOX 57 in Columbia, ABC 4 in Charleston, ABC 15 in Myrtle Beach/Florence, and My40 in the Upstate.
Powerball, Mega Millions jackpots: What to know in case you win
Here’s what to know in case you win the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot.
Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
The South Carolina Education Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at June 17, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from June 17 drawing
03-26-49-53-61, Powerball: 12, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL numbers from June 17 drawing
Midday: 9-1-5, FB: 8
Evening: 9-0-2, FB: 2
Check Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL numbers from June 17 drawing
Midday: 5-3-5-2, FB: 8
Evening: 0-4-1-5, FB: 2
Check Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from June 17 drawing
Midday: 09
Evening: 11
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Palmetto Cash 5 numbers from June 17 drawing
08-11-12-27-40
Check Palmetto Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from June 17 drawing
10-17-44-63-67, Powerball: 24
Check Powerball Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
The South Carolina Education Lottery provides multiple ways to claim prizes, depending on the amount won:
For prizes up to $500, you can redeem your winnings directly at any authorized South Carolina Education Lottery retailer. Simply present your signed winning ticket at the retailer for an immediate payout.
Winnings $501 to $100,000, may be redeemed by mailing your signed winning ticket along with a completed claim form and a copy of a government-issued photo ID to the South Carolina Education Lottery Claims Center. For security, keep copies of your documents and use registered mail to ensure the safe arrival of your ticket.
SC Education Lottery
P.O. Box 11039
Columbia, SC 29211-1039
For large winnings above $100,000, claims must be made in person at the South Carolina Education Lottery Headquarters in Columbia. To claim, bring your signed winning ticket, a completed claim form, a government-issued photo ID, and your Social Security card for identity verification. Winners of large prizes may also set up an Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) for convenient direct deposit of winnings.
Columbia Claims Center
1303 Assembly Street
Columbia, SC 29201
Claim Deadline: All prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the draw date for draw games.
For more details and to access the claim form, visit the South Carolina Lottery claim page.
When are the South Carolina Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
- Pick 3: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
- Pick 4: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
- Cash Pop: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
- Palmetto Cash 5: 6:59 p.m. ET daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a South Carolina editor. You can send feedback using this form.
COLUMBIA, SC (WMBF) – South Carolina is cracking down on nitrous oxide, banning its sale to minors and setting criminal penalties for violations.
The new law (S. 751), which Gov. Henry McMaster signed on May 18, prohibits the sale of nitrous oxide and nitrous oxide products to anyone under 18, and retailers must require identification to verify customers’ ages.
Retailers are also prohibited from selling flavored nitrous oxide products or marketing nitrous oxide for recreational use. Tobacco retailers are banned from selling nitrous oxide products entirely.
The law aims to prevent the recreational misuse of nitrous oxide.
Nitrous oxide is a colorless gas with several legitimate uses, such as medical applications as laughing gas, pressurizing whipped cream canisters, and boosting automotive engine performance, all of which remain legal under the new law.
However, when used recreationally, it can cause a brief euphoric and dissociative effect and is sometimes abused through small cartridges originally designed for whipped cream dispensers.
Prolonged or heavy use can cause oxygen deprivation, nerve damage (B12 depletion) and, in extreme cases, death.
Since McMaster signed the bill, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division has begun implementing inspections and enforcement actions.
Penalties for violations
Illegal possession or distribution of nitrous oxide is now a misdemeanor.
- First offense: A fine up to $1,000 and/or imprisonment up to six months
- Second offense: A fine up to $5,000 and/or up to one year in prison
- Subsequent offenses: A fine up to $10,000 and/or three years in prison
Businesses violating the law may also face administrative penalties, including suspension or revocation of licenses or permits.
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