The Historic Table — Local services in Charleston

Last Thursday, my wife and I had a wonderful 7-course dinner and learned a lot of Charleston history from Mike Hebb who, as a one-person chef, historian and host, runs the Historic Charleston Supper Club at South Carolina Historical Society Museum located in the Fireproof Building at 100 Meeting St.. Being one of our favorite cities in the US to visit, we have been to Charleston many times, but this dinner was an unique event unlike any attraction we have visited or done in this wonderful city.

Prior to dinner, the 11 dinner guests were given exclusive access to the Museum. Because the museum was not open to the public at 6pm, we were able to walk through and admire the many artifacts of Charleston’s history at our own pace. Once we finished touring the museum, the guests eventually all arrived in the 3rd floor library where a long, beautiful dinner table was set up for us.

Mike started the evening by explaining that all the dishes he prepared were true to one of 3 time periods in Charleston - Colonial, Antebellum and Reconstruction, and that he would narrate facts, anecdotes and other interesting things about the food we would be eating, notable people in each period and anything else that may pop into his head during our dinner. Mike started off the event by pouring each guest a glass of Madeira wine, which was a prevalent drink in Colonial times. The event is BYOB, so if you want additional wine, you need to bring it – we did!

Once we all started to chat and feeling comfortable with each other, Mike brought out the various time-authentic dishes including bread, a pork dish, chicken dish, shrimp & rice pilau (pilaf), cucumber salad and roasted potatoes. All dishes were served family-style and there was much more food than we could have possibly finished. As we dined, Mike continued his dialogue with the history of each dish, the people who may have originally created them and other interesting tidbits that made for compelling listening as we ate.

Dessert was a variety of candies, both hard and soft as well as some delicious cake. While they all looked tasty and inviting, many of us were too full to eat more than one of Mike’s authentic treats.

The only suggestion I would make that, in my opinion, may improve the event is rather than bringing out all the dishes from all 3 periods at once, bring them out based on the time period they were prevalent in and discussing that era before moving to the next one.

All in all, this unique dinner was filling, informative and lots of fun. On our next trip to Charleston, we plan on looking up what other interesting events that Mike offers and take...

If you’ve ever wondered what it was like to dine in the 18th and 19th centuries, the Historic Charleston Supper Club offers an incredible opportunity to step back in time—one delicious bite at a time.

From the moment we arrived, the evening was an immersive journey into Charleston’s rich culinary history. The experience was not just about the food (though that alone was worth the visit), but also about the fascinating stories behind each dish. We learned about the ingredients—where they were sourced, how they were prepared, and the historical significance they held in the Lowcountry’s food traditions.

Each course reflected the flavors and techniques of the past, lovingly crafted with authenticity and expertise. The attention to detail in recreating these historical recipes was nothing short of impressive.

Beyond the food, we also got to appreciate the people who made it all possible. The host Mike shared his knowledge with enthusiasm, painting a vivid picture of the culinary landscape of Charleston centuries ago. The evening felt like more than just a meal—it was a history lesson, a celebration of tradition, and a communal experience that connected us to those who dined in Charleston generations before us.

For anyone who loves food, history, or both, the Historic Charleston Supper Club is a must-try experience. It’s a rare chance to savor the flavors of the past while deepening your appreciation for the culinary heritage that shaped...

Extraordinary experience! The setting in Charleston's architectural masterpiece "The Fireproof Building" (which is the HQ of the South Carolina Historical Society) is amazing because you are there after hours and have the entire building, exhibits and all, to yourself, with other dining guests. Mike Hebb, Licensed Tour Guide, Owner and Chef, has two history degrees (one in American History and one in British History). His area of expertise is every aspect of Colonial and Ante Bellum Charleston dining and drinking. He creates endless, authentic, delicious entrees, appetizers and desserts that tell the culinary history of the South. They are all served in an elegant dining room, family style. The atmosphere is convivial and friendly. The information and anecdotes that Mike delivers along with the food is engaging and largely unknown by most people (including local tour guides). The insights he provided, the food that he serves and the atmosphere that everyone enjoys all combine to create a unique, very special experience. OH--and BYOB---NO...