Female Chefs to Watch: Kallani Davis

Rising Female Chef: Kallani Davis Is Just Getting Started

📍 Lead Line Cook at Peninsula Grill (2025)
📸 @kallaniiii
🍽️ Book a table at Peninsula Grill — and say hi to Kallani!

Female chef Kallani Davis is making her mark in the heart of Charleston, South Carolina — a city known for its historic charm and ever-evolving food scene. As Lead Line Cook at the iconic Peninsula Grill, she’s already working in one of the city's top fine dining institutions and laying the groundwork for a long, intentional career in the culinary arts — the kind of upward trajectory we love to see from rising female chefs.

And as it turns out, her birthday — May 19th — is the perfect metaphor for who she is: someone right on the cusp of Taurus and Gemini. That blend of signs brings together the grounded ambition of Taurus with the curiosity and adaptability of Gemini — making her both a steady force in the kitchen and someone constantly hungry to learn and grow. Traits like resilience, charm, and quiet determination are practically written in the stars — but Kallani is living proof of them in action.

From Classroom Curiosity to Culinary Science Graduate

For Kallani, the kitchen wasn’t always the plan — but once she stepped into it, everything clicked. “My high school culinary chef was the first to inspire me,” she says. That single spark turned into a full-blown career path: “I’ve never stuck with anything longer than six months — but I’ve now completed five years of culinary classes, nearly three years at Peninsula Grill, and earned my degree in Applied Science in Advanced Culinary Arts.”

That milestone degree came in May 2024, and it didn’t just cap off her formal education — it launched her toward her next goal: becoming a Sous Chef. And judging by her pace, she’s not far off — proving that female chefs can carve bold, accelerated paths through this industry.

Making Waves at Peninsula Grill

If you’ve been to Peninsula Grill, you know it’s no ordinary restaurant. Tucked into the charming Planters Inn, the space has earned national recognition for its refined take on Lowcountry cuisine. From the chandeliers to the white-jacket service, it’s a place where the bar is sky-high.

It’s also where Kallani has spent the last three years sharpening her technique, leading the line, and growing into a leadership role — making her one of the young female chefs shaping the future of Charleston dining.

“I’m proud of how far I’ve come,” she says. And she should be — not only is she holding her own in one of Charleston’s most demanding kitchens, she’s also helping to define its future.

Charleston: Fuel for a Culinary Career

Ask any chef working in Charleston what makes the city special, and you’ll likely get an answer like Kallani’s: “There’s always a need for food here — locals, tourists, and an incredible range of culinary diversity. Downtown restaurants are constantly pushing to raise the standard, and that makes you want to work harder and be better.”

That standard is part of what makes Charleston such a chef’s city — a dynamic mix of classic Southern soul and contemporary edge. From oyster roasts to tasting menus, the city’s appetite is big — and talented female chefs like Kallani are rising to meet it.

A Day to Celebrate — and Reflect

On May 19th, Kallani celebrated her birthday — but instead of spending it off-duty, she chose to be part of something even more meaningful. She attended the Our Table :Charleston event, hosted at The Chef’s Collective, a woman-owned kitchen space founded by chefs Katie Williams and Andrea Pharris.

The Collective is more than just a cookery school — it’s a bright, intentionally designed studio for collaboration, education, and storytelling. From intimate workshops to full-scale pop-ups, Katie and Andrea have created a space where community and cuisine intersect — and the vibes are as warm as the sourdough starter on the counter.

For Kallani, the Our Table x Charleston event was a rare chance to step outside the high-pressure rhythm of Peninsula Grill and connect with other female chefs working across Charleston — from private chefs to those leading the line at some of the city’s top restaurants.

As one of the event's sponsors, I got to witness what made the day so special. While it was centered around professional headshots, the real magic was in the room — a space where women supported each other, swapped stories, made new connections, and remembered they’re not alone in this industry.

It was such a powerful reminder that community matters — and that when female chefs show up for each other, it creates something far bigger than just a great photo. It creates momentum.

Mentorship That Matters

In her day-to-day, Kallani draws motivation from another key influence: Able Ortega, the former Chef de Cuisine at Peninsula Grill. “He taught me to hold myself and my kitchen to high standards, and that a team thrives when everyone has each other’s backs.”

That kind of mentorship — high expectations, zero ego, and true support — is rare and transformative. It’s no surprise that Kallani carries those lessons with her as she steps into leadership, contributing to a new wave of empowered female chefs making their mark.

Advice to the Next Generation

For young women considering a culinary career, Kallani has clear advice:
“Become an apprentice. Find a program that gives you both schooling and real kitchen experience — that’s the best way to grow.”

In an industry that can sometimes glorify the hustle without acknowledging the need for support, her words hit home. Apprenticeships, internships, and dual-track programs (like the one she completed) offer an essential foundation that classroom work alone can’t replicate.

Whether it’s learning how to keep cool on the line, mastering mise en place, or navigating the dynamics of a high-functioning brigade, real-world kitchen experience makes all the difference — especially for young female chefs looking to carve their space in the industry.

Follow Her Journey

Want to follow along with Kallani’s culinary adventure? Check her out on Instagram @kallaniiii, where she shares behind-the-scenes moments from Peninsula Grill, her culinary school days, and glimpses of the Charleston food scene.

And if you’re lucky, you might just spot her next signature dish in progress — no doubt plated with the same calm, focused energy that’s becoming her trademark.

Why We’re Telling These Stories

At Funky Chef, we exclusively design chef jackets that fit women's figures— but more than that, we spotlight the women inside them. Female chefs like Kallani, who are breaking molds, redefining leadership, and showing that strength doesn’t always have to be loud.

From apprentice to lead line cook to future sous chef, Kallani’s journey is one of growth, grit, and self-belief — all in under five years. And whether it’s her Taurus drive or her Gemini spark that gets the credit, we’re just glad to have her in our community.

Because if there’s one thing we believe in: it’s female chefs like Kallani — steady, curious, and quietly unstoppable.

Big thanks to Tina McCard for organizing such a special gathering, to Kate Blohm for the stunning headshots, and to Meredith Fischl of Eat Drink Play Charleston for helping bring more media attention to the talented female chefs of Charleston.