Restaurants

Southern roots run deep for Chef Jessica Shillato, a Kentucky native who carries on her family’s culinary traditions at the Spotted Salamander. While the Columbia café pays homage to Southern food craft, Shillato’s creativity is in full force, resulting in classic dishes dressed with fresh accouterments that surprise and delight.

Shillato honed her cooking chops at the former Charleston location of Johnson & Wales. Along with husband, Jake Wendling, she established Spotted Salamander in 2008 as a catering enterprise. The success of what she describes as a “boutique” catering service led to the opening of the café arm of Spotted Salamander—and the dining public has heartily approved.

Shillato’s use of seasonal local ingredients and imaginative twists on old Southern favorites like deviled eggs (topped with taste bud thrillers like country ham jam, Adluh cornbread crumbs, chicken chicharrones with hot sauce and more), have earned her legions of fans and a spot on the 2019 roster of South Carolina Chef Ambassadors. As part of the initiative begun by former Gov. Nikki Haley, each year chefs from across the state are selected to promote South Carolina’s culinary heritage and local food culture through cooking demonstrations, guest appearances and educational programs.