In 2008, Spotted Salamander Catering opened for business utilizing local farmers markets to serve fresh and inventive southern cuisine. In 2014, chef Jessica Shillato opened the café in the historic 1890’s building on Richland Street. Like the catering business, the café is committed to making fresh, local southern cuisine with a twist all while supporting South Carolina’s farmers.With the growing popularity of lunch at the café, the restaurant expanded to the cottage next door in 2016.
We hope to share our love for fresh food and home made desserts with you soon. Tables for lunch at the café are first come first served, with limited outdoor seating.
Meet Jessica Shillato
Chef Jessica Shillato took an interest in cooking at an early age. Food, cooking, and sharing meals were always a big part her life growing up. Being surrounded by a big family of wonderful cooks inspired her to become a professional chef. Jessica is classically trained in the culinary arts holding two degrees from Johnson and Wales University, Charleston Campus. Jessica matured her skills working in kitchens across the state of South Carolina.
In 2019 Jessica was named one of the South Carolina Chef Ambassadors. With this honor she had the opportunity to cook at the James Beard House in New York City with some of the top restauranteurs in the nation. She has been asked to showcase her culinary talents at the Charleston Food & Wine Festival, Columbia Food & Wine Festival, and many other events across the South.
Jessica has been delighted that dishes from the café have been featured by national publications like Garden & Gun, Southern Living, Food and Wine, and more. Going forward Jessica is excited to continue feeding her guests through catering and the café and for the new opportunities for growth in southern hospitality.
