A Taste of the South: Our Airbnb Chef Experience in Hilton Head
- Rachel Kate Knapp
- Aug 26
- 3 min read
Traveling to Hilton Head wasn’t about seeing everything, beaching every day, or checking off a packed itinerary. For us, this trip was about slowing down. I wanted time to work on photo galleries and blogs, to reset before the start of the school year, and to find a rhythm where family time and work could fit together.
We were looking for someplace relaxing, enjoyable, and easy. Hilton Head and our stay at Tide House turned out to be the perfect setting for exactly that.
One of the reasons we love staying at Airbnbs instead of hotels or inns is the kitchen. Cooking together has become one of our favorite ways to enjoy a place, whether it’s throwing together a simple breakfast or making a big family dinner.
But every now and then, it’s nice to step back and let someone else take the reins.
That’s why we booked Southern Supper, an Airbnb Experience that brought a local chef right to the house.
At 4:30, Chef Briana arrived with fresh ingredients and that unmistakable Southern hospitality.
The kitchen filled with the smell of fried chicken, honey drizzled corn bread, collard greens, and red rice and I felt myself relax knowing dinner was in good hands.
The Gift of Being Present
Instead of standing at the stove, I was at the table. I didn’t miss the laughter, the conversations, or the glass of sweet tea. I could sip slowly while the kids chatted with Briana about the community, southern foods, and of course sports, all while sitting adjacent to the kitchen where all the magic was happening.
For one night, I got to enjoy everything I love about food, without the work that usually comes before or after.
More Than Just a Meal
When dinner was served, it felt like more than just food. It was a taste of the South, a story told through flavor and tradition, shared around our table.
Plates were passed, seconds were claimed, and that brownie sundae with the freshest and sweetest strawberries layered with homemade caramel whipped cream sealed the night in the sweetest way.
From mixing the whipped cream to layering strawberries, chocolate drizzle, and rich brownie pieces,
Chef Briana turned dessert into an experience of its own. Watching her create these Southern sundae parfaits was the sweetest finale to our Hilton Head stay, and the perfect reminder that sometimes the best travel memories are made right at the table.
Why We Love Airbnb Experiences
One of the best parts of traveling with Airbnb isn’t just the cozy homes, it’s the Experiences you can book right alongside your stay. From food tours and guided hikes to art workshops and private chefs, these Experiences let you connect with a place in a more personal way.
What makes them even better is how flexible they are. Depending on where you’re headed, you can pick from so many different options, kayaking at sunrise, wine tastings in the countryside, city history tours, or, in our case, a chef bringing Southern comfort food straight to our rental.
It’s like opening a menu of local adventures and choosing the one that feels right for your trip.
For us, booking Southern Supper wasn’t about skipping the kitchen forever (we actually love cooking when we travel), but about giving ourselves one night where we could just sit back and enjoy. The fact that it happened in the comfort of our rental, without wrangling kids into a restaurant or waiting for a table, made it feel even more special.
Airbnb Experiences are designed to fit different kinds of travelers, whether you want an adventure, a cultural dive, or a slow evening with incredible food.
And for busy families like ours, having the option to sprinkle a few into the trip makes travel feel richer without making it busier.
For us, Hilton Head was about slowing down, enjoying family, and savoring the little things.
And this meal? It was the perfect bite of all three.
Additional Airbnb Travel Resources for Families
Overall, traveling as a family is a huge value for us and over the years, we’ve found what works and what doesn’t.
I’ve rounded up some of our best tips and tricks into blog posts, so if you’re looking for some additional Airbnb travel resources for your next family vacation, browse below to find what you may need:
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