February 1, 2026

Lowcountry Libraries Boost Culinary Skills with Free Classes

Charleston SC, February 1, 2026

Berkeley County Library System has partnered with local chef Rebecca Antill to launch ‘Cooking with Chef Rebecca!’, a series of free cooking classes aimed at enhancing culinary skills and fostering community engagement. The classes cater to all age groups and will cover diverse topics from breakfast ideas to healthy snacks. Participants will gain valuable insights into food preparation, nutrition, and more, ultimately promoting personal growth and contributing to local economic development.

Charleston, SC –

Lowcountry Libraries Ignite Culinary Talent with Free Classes

A local culinary expert partners with the Berkeley County Library System to offer engaging, hands-on cooking education, fostering personal achievement and community connection in the Charleston area.

The Berkeley County Library System (BCLS) has opened registration for a new series of free cooking classes, “Cooking with Chef Rebecca!”, marking a commendable initiative to enrich the community through practical education and skill development. This program exemplifies local resourcefulness, bringing valuable expertise directly to residents and offering a pathway to personal growth and enhanced community engagement. The collaboration with local chef and educator Rebecca Antill, through Book/Plates Food Education, showcases a vibrant partnership that supports both individual achievement and the broader Charleston County economy by fostering practical skills among its citizens.

A Taste of Entrepreneurial Spirit: “Cooking with Chef Rebecca!”

The “Cooking with Chef Rebecca!” series is a prime example of innovative community programming offered by the Berkeley County Library System. These interactive classes provide customers of all ages with free learning opportunities to acquire basic cooking skills and interact with community members sharing common food interests. Registration is required for each class and is open, with interested individuals encouraged to visit berkeleylibrarysc.libcal.com/ and select the event at their participating branch.

The driving force behind these engaging sessions is Chef Rebecca Antill, a local professional chef and food educator who also brings extensive experience as a librarian. Chef Antill is currently advancing her expertise by finishing her Culinary Arts degree at the Culinary Institute of Charleston and serves as adjunct faculty, teaching Baking & Pastry for continuing education students. Her unique background, combining deep culinary knowledge with a passion for public education, highlights a resourceful entrepreneurial spirit dedicated to serving the community. The classes cover a diverse range of culinary topics, including Breakfast Ideas, Kids in the Kitchen (designed for children with parental or guardian supervision), Pasta Making, Pies, Cinnamon Rolls, Let’s Make Lunch, Soup & Bread, Healthy Snacks & Apps, and Soup & Scones. Recipes are designed to change by class and location, ensuring a fresh and varied learning experience for participants.

Cultivating Personal Achievement and Skill Development

The benefits of participating in the “Cooking with Chef Rebecca!” classes extend far beyond simply learning a new recipe. These programs are designed to enhance food preparation skills and build confidence in the kitchen for individuals, whether they are new to cooking or seeking to expand their repertoire. Participants gain valuable insights into exploring new ingredients and recipes, which can lead to more adventurous and healthier eating habits. The classes also offer practical knowledge in areas such as food preservation, menu and budget planning, proper nutrition, portion control tips, and how to effectively read ingredient and nutrition labels.

Such accessible education fosters significant personal achievement. By acquiring practical culinary skills, individuals can experience improved dietary and health outcomes, contributing to a greater sense of self-sufficiency and well-being. The library’s initiative empowers residents to master new hobbies or passions, underscoring the value of community-led programs in developing individual capabilities and confidence without extensive governmental oversight. These programs illustrate how focused, local efforts can directly empower citizens to take charge of their personal development.

Sowing Seeds for Lowcountry Economic Growth

Beyond individual enrichment, the “Cooking with Chef Rebecca!” series contributes to the broader Lowcountry economic growth. By equipping residents with practical culinary skills, these classes can indirectly bolster the local food scene and hospitality industry, both vital components of the Charleston SC business landscape. A more skilled local workforce and a community with enhanced culinary knowledge can drive innovation and quality within these sectors, positively impacting the Charleston County economy.

Public libraries are increasingly recognized as economic engines that play a crucial role in supporting personal economic development and overall community growth. They deliver a positive return on investment, with every dollar invested in a library yielding between $2 and $10. Programs like these culinary classes serve as a form of workforce development, offering practical, transferable skills that can potentially inspire new Charleston small business ventures or enhance the capabilities of those already working in culinary fields. The emphasis on supporting local professional Chef Rebecca Antill also provides an example of how community institutions can champion and collaborate with South Carolina entrepreneurs, stimulating the local economy from the ground up.

Community Involvement and Resourceful Public Service

The Berkeley County Library System’s “Cooking with Chef Rebecca!” series is a testament to its role as a dynamic community hub, extending its services far beyond traditional book lending. This initiative highlights how public institutions can provide invaluable services through strategic community partnerships, such as with Book/Plates Food Education, and through efficient allocation of resources. Libraries are vital in building and supporting communities of lifelong learners, helping residents enjoy the social and economic benefits that continuous learning brings.

These programs are an example of effective, community-driven responses to local needs. They demonstrate how accessible public services can foster creativity, learning, and interaction for people of all ages. By offering free, hands-on educational opportunities, the BCLS reinforces the idea that valuable skill development can be achieved through local initiatives that are responsive to community interests and leverage local talent, representing a model of resourceful public service.

In conclusion, the Berkeley County Library System’s “Cooking with Chef Rebecca!” program is a clear success, offering free, chef-led culinary education that benefits individuals and the wider Charleston County economy. This initiative fosters personal achievement through skill development and bolsters the local entrepreneurial spirit. We encourage all Lowcountry residents to explore these and other local opportunities for skill development. Supporting community programs and South Carolina entrepreneurs is key to maintaining a vibrant and resilient Charleston SC business environment and ensuring continued Lowcountry economic growth.

Frequently Asked Questions About “Cooking with Chef Rebecca!”

What is the name of the cooking class series being offered?: The cooking class series is named “Cooking with Chef Rebecca!”
Who is leading the cooking classes?: The cooking classes are led by local professional chef and educator Rebecca Antill, who is also a librarian and is finishing her Culinary Arts degree at the Culinary Institute of Charleston, and teaches Baking & Pastry for continuing education students.
Who is organizing these cooking classes?: The Berkeley County Library System (BCLS) is organizing these cooking classes.
Is there a cost to attend the cooking classes?: No, the cooking classes are free to attend.
How can one register for the cooking classes?: Registration is required for each class and is open, by visiting berkeleylibrarysc.libcal.com/ and clicking on the event of the participating branch.
What topics are covered in the cooking classes?: The classes cover diverse topics including Breakfast Ideas, Kids in the Kitchen (for children with parental or guardian supervision), Pasta Making, Pies, Cinnamon Rolls, Let’s Make Lunch, Soup & Bread, Healthy Snacks & Apps, and Soup & Scones, with recipes changing by class and location.
What are the benefits of community cooking classes?: Community cooking classes can improve dietary and health outcomes, enhance food preparation skills, increase confidence in the kitchen, allow exploration of new ingredients and recipes, and teach about food preservation, menu and budget planning, nutrition, portion control, and reading ingredient and nutrition labels.
How do public libraries contribute to economic growth?: Public libraries are economic engines that support personal economic development and community development, offering a return on investment where every $1 invested yields between $2 and $10.

Key Features of “Cooking with Chef Rebecca!” Classes

Feature	Details
Program Name	“Cooking with Chef Rebecca!”
Organizer	Berkeley County Library System (BCLS)
Led By	Local professional chef and educator Rebecca Antill
Cost	Free
Registration	Required for each class, open via berkeleylibrarysc.libcal.com/
Target Audience	Customers of all ages, with specific sessions for adults and children
Class Topics (Examples)	Breakfast Ideas, Kids in the Kitchen, Pasta Making, Pies, Cinnamon Rolls, Soup & Scones
Benefits	Skill enhancement, increased confidence, improved health outcomes, community interaction
Economic Impact	Supports personal economic development and community development; libraries yield $2-$10 return per $1 invested