Charleston culinary legends in your home? Bid at the Oxygen Ball
- peter19892
- May 1
- 4 min read
By Charleston Mercury Staff
Charleston culinary legends Chefs Robert Carter, Frank Lee, Brett McKee, Fred Neuville and Bob Waggoner are joining forces and crossing state lines to reunite for a rare and unforgettable evening in support of the Lowcountry community. At the American Lung Association’s Oxygen Ball on May 9, the master chefs will auction off their 200+ combined years of culinary expertise with the Distinguished Chefs Dinner.
These five iconic chefs were the driving force behind Charleston’s culinary renaissance in the 1990s and early 2000s. With bold flavors, refined techniques and a deep respect for Lowcountry ingredients, they transformed the city into a nationally recognized dining destination. Their kitchens became the training grounds for a new generation of talent, laying the foundation for the vibrant and celebrated food scene Charleston enjoys today.
“We’ll bring five of Charleston’s O.G. legendary chefs into your home to cook a phenomenal meal, share behind-the-scenes stories of Charleston’s culinary scene back in the day and create a memory you’ll never forget,” said Chef McKee. “We’re not getting any younger, so when I say this is a once-in-a-lifetime thing, I mean it.”
“This isn’t just a meal. It’s an experience, Chef Neuville added. “Whoever wins this dinner will have more than 200 years’ worth of experience in one room. Ask questions. You got a favorite recipe?”
The exclusive Distinguished Chefs Dinner for 12 will be available only during the live auction at the Charleston Oxygen Ball on May 9 at the Gaillard Center. The Oxygen Ball raises awareness and critical funds for lung disease research, local programs and services that save lives.
“We were able to put Charleston on the map with unparalleled food, service and camaraderie. A rising tide lifts all boats,” said Chef Lee. “That commitment to supporting and improving the community, because we are part of the community, still sets Charleston apart from any other city in the nation. I’m thrilled to get back together with these rockstar chefs for a good cause.”
In addition to the live auction, the event features a gourmet dinner and entertainment including local Celebrity dance performances. The five celebrity dancers are training with professionals from International Ballroom Dance Studios to prepare original ballroom dance routines and compete for the title of “Lowcountry Dancing with the Stars” Champion. Each celebrity performer is committed to raising funds to support the Lung Association’s mission and bringing enthusiasm and star power to the stage.
The dancer lineup features:
— Rick Lowndes: of Lowndes Properties. Lowndes is dedicating his dance to his mother, Dr. Dyana Lowndes, who passed in 2021 of lung cancer.
— Dr. Mickey Barber: founder and CEO of Better Life Carolinas, specializing in anti-aging and wellness medicine. Dr. Barber got her start in lung health fifty years ago while working as a ward secretary in the only tuberculosis sanitarium in the state.
— Jamie Camilo: general manager at Rick Hendrick BMW and MINI of Charleston. Camilo dedicates his performance to his late father, Rocky, who lost his battle with mesothelioma in 2017.
— Emily Gifford Lucey: attorney with Gallivan White Boyd, where she practices construction law. Gifford Lucey is dedicating her performance to her mother, Sheila, who passed in 2024 from a chronic autoimmune disease that affected her lungs.
— Julie Reuther-Nestler: certified spinning, fitness and wellness coach. Reuther-Nestler is committed to raising awareness of lung health in the firefighter community and ensuring they receive support and care.
“Investing in S.C.’s lung health is more important than ever. More than 775,000 South Carolinians live with a lung disease,” said Kat Varn, Oxygen Ball event chair. “Together, with the help of our celebrity dancers, event sponsors, donors and attendees, we’re able to fund lifesaving research into new treatments and cures and local programming to help people live healthier lives. Because when you can’t breathe, nothing else matters.”
For more information about the Charleston Oxygen Ball and the Chef’s Dinner, visit CharlestonOxygenBall.org. You may bid on the Chef’s Dinner by proxy, reach out to Rebecca.Balitsaris@lung.org for more information. This event is expected to sell out, so get your tickets now. You can also “vote” for your favorite Celebrity Dancer by contributing a donation of any amount to the American Lung Association at www.CharlestonOxygenBall.org.
Understanding the American Lung Association
The American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease through education, advocacy and research. The work of the American Lung Association is focused on four strategic imperatives: to defeat lung cancer, champion clean air for all, improve the quality of life for those with lung disease and their families and create a tobacco-free future. For more information about the American Lung Association, which has a four-star rating from Charity Navigator and is a Platinum-Level GuideStar Member, call 1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872) or visit Lung.org. Click here to find an event near you to support the work of the American Lung Association.
