Title: Vice President of Catering and Events
Company: Maurice’s Piggie Park BBQ
Location: Lexington, South Carolina, United States
Christopher Bennett, Vice President of Catering and Events at Maurice’s Piggie Park BBQ, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Executives for dedication, achievements, and leadership in Food and Catering Services.
Mr. Bennett has established an esteemed career in the food service and catering industry, currently serving as the vice president of catering and events at his family business, Maurice’s Piggie Park BBQ, since 2013. In this capacity, he oversees all aspects of the company’s expansive catering operations, assists his uncles who manage the business, and leads marketing and advertising initiatives. Under Mr. Bennett’s leadership, the company has experienced growing national demand, with clients across the U.S. requesting their signature barbecue.
Credited with redefining the business, Mr. Bennett refocused on its Southern barbecue roots, emphasizing all-wood cooking methods and distinctive sauces, including the renowned golden sauce. He is particularly proud of supporting the local community through job creation and contributions to fundraisers, which have made a positive economic impact in the region.
Throughout his tenure, Mr. Bennett has managed large-scale events, such as the Kohler Family Picnic in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, where his team served more than 7,500 guests over a single weekend. He has also coordinated catering for major corporate picnics nationwide and provided services for military installations, including Fort Jackson, Shaw Air Force Base and the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort. Weddings have become a significant part of Mr. Bennett’s portfolio, with hundreds of receptions and rehearsal dinners catered at diverse venues, ranging from beaches to historic sites. Additionally, he has maintained longstanding partnerships with local baseball teams, such as the Augusta GreenJackets, and supported numerous high school programs and youth leagues.
Before his current role, Mr. Bennett managed a local restaurant in the Augusta area for a year, where he developed his operational expertise. His early professional experience included working as an intern at WIS-TV, A Gray Local Media Station, from 2004 to 2005, where he gained exposure to media production and communications before ultimately pivoting into hospitality. During that same period, he served as part of the event staff at the Columbia South Carolina Metropolitan Convention Center with Experience Columbia, South Carolina, contributing to event coordination and guest services.
Mr. Bennett’s educational background included earning a Bachelor of Science with a double major in marketing and management and a minor in education from the University of South Carolina in 2007. He previously graduated from Lexington High School in 2003. Mr. Bennett holds a ServSafe® certification, underscoring his commitment to food safety standards. His academic achievements have been instrumental in shaping his approach to business operations, customer service and leadership within Maurice’s Piggie Park BBQ.
Active in professional organizations, Mr. Bennett has been a member of the Greater Cayce West Columbia Chamber of Commerce since 2015. He also volunteers for fundraising events at various schools and supports Lexington High School’s baseball and athletics department. Additionally, Mr. Bennett donates time and resources to local food banks, Meals on Wheels and downtown Columbia homeless shelters while also supporting local churches. Through partnerships with Mission Lexington and initiatives led by the Greater Cayce West Columbia Chamber of Commerce, he continues to foster community development.
Mr. Bennett’s expertise in catering and event coordination services, as well as marketing management, is widely recognized within the industry. His professional excellence has been honored with several awards, including Best in the Lexington Market by Lexington Life Magazine, as well as accolades for Best Barbecue, Best Caterer and Best Southern Cooking. Mr. Bennett attributes his success to strong family support and emphasizes the importance of local connections in building lasting relationships within the community.
Drawing inspiration from his grandfather Maurice, who founded Maurice’s Piggie Park BBQ in 1953, Mr. Bennett began working for the company in 1999 by supplying wood for its stores, learning firsthand about the significance of traditional cooking methods. Looking ahead, he plans to guide Maurice’s Piggie Park BBQ through the construction of a larger modern facility designed to enhance barbecue production with updated equipment while expanding restaurant locations and pursuing new opportunities.
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