The Leffew Restaurant Group announced chef Charles Pejeau will join the team as culinary director, overseeing the food programs at both Lucky Rooster Kitchen + Bar and the new Lucky Beach Bar + Kitchen, as well as the group’s special event offerings. A Hilton Head native, he brings nearly 18 years of culinary experience to Leffew Restaurant Group and has worked in restaurants across the Lowcountry.
Leffew Restaurant Group Welcomes Lowcountry Chef
“Chef Charles is an integral part of the Hilton Head dining scene and I’m thrilled he’s joining us at the Leffew Restaurant Group,” said co-owner and managing partner David Leffew, who noted the two have worked together in the past. “He truly understands the needs and wants of the community here in Hilton Head both from the local and visitor perspectives, and he is going to be a great asset in helping our two locations succeed.”
Pejeau most recently served as executive chef at Palmetto Dunes Resort. He was also executive chef at Charbar Co. and Holy Tequila, helping develop the menus and open both Hilton Head Island-based restaurants. Diners might know him from his time at Red Fish, celebrity chef Robert Irvine’s Eat!, Sonesta Resort or The Inn at Palmetto Bluff — which was ranked #1 in the U.S. during his tenure there.
“The Leffew Restaurant Group is doing great things here in Hilton Head and I’m looking forward to joining the team,” Pejeau said. “Lucky Rooster Kitchen + Bar and Lucky Beach Bar + Kitchen are different but still connected by a commitment to hospitality, service, food and creating memorable experiences for guests.”
After receiving his Associate’s Degree of Science in Culinary Arts from the Florida Culinary Institute in West Palm Beach, he honed his skills at prestigious restaurants in South Florida before returning to Hilton Head, his hometown. He has won multiple regional “Best Burger” awards and been featured in Southern Living magazine’s “Best of the South” list.
About Leffew Restaurant Group:
Creating memorable experiences is at the heart of Leffew Restaurant Group, founded by four partners in early 2021. LRG’s partners have decades of experience in the hospitality industry and are committed to providing amazing dining experiences through a focus on environment, facility, food and service. Based in Hilton Head, LRG operates Lucky Rooster Kitchen + Bar and the new Lucky Beach Bar + Kitchen, while also providing a wide range of catering and private event options.
About Lucky Rooster Kitchen + Bar:
One of Hilton Head’s top dining destinations, Lucky Rooster Kitchen + Bar sources fresh ingredients from local farmers, purveyors and waterways. Options from refined comfort food to adventurous dishes change with the seasons and tides. Located on Hilton Head Island at 841 William Hilton Pkwy., the upscale casual restaurant and bar is open for dinner Tuesday through Sunday from 5 to 9 p.m., and for Sunday brunch from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information call (843) 715-3215, visit LuckyRoosterHHI.com or follow on Facebook and Instagram.
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About Lucky Beach Bar + Kitchen:
Opened in May 2023, Lucky Beach Bar + Kitchen, 14 Folly Field Road, is making waves in Hilton Head with a modern approach to family-friendly experiences. The relaxed and welcoming atmosphere includes seating for nearly 250, including outdoor dining and firepits and space for live music. The menu features updated takes on American classics with Southern and Caribbean inspiration — big, fun appetizers and desserts that bookend delicious entrees. The beverage menu highlights tropical, bright, refreshing cocktails along with ice-cold beers, a curated wine menu and fun signature drinks. Stop by the dedicated walk-up window for soft service ice cream and specialty sundaes. Open daily 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. For more information, visit LuckyBeachHHI.com.
