Beaufort SC is one of the friendliest towns you’ll ever find. Neighbors take care of each other and our community rallies like no other; and this holds true even, or especially, at downtown’s Panini’s and at Hemingway’s Bistro during the holidays every year. They’ll be hosting their annual Orphans & Strays Christmas Dinner all afternoon on Christmas day.
Coming on the heels of their 30th annual Orphans and Strays Thanksgiving Dinner last month, the upcoming community Christmas Dinner starts at 2pm on Christmas day.
Both Hemingway’s and Panini’s on the Waterfront look at the holidays as a time for giving back to folks in the Beaufort community.
Started some three decades ago by the original owners of Hemingway’s, the event has grown quite a bit in the time that new owners Paul Thompson and Kanani Robinson, have stepped in. According to Thompson, who also owns Panini’s on the Waterfront, the event “usually draws over 150 locals and visitors,” who would otherwise not have many choices of where to spend the Christmas holiday.
Thompson will be preparing main courses and some sides, including ham, macaroni & cheese, mashed potatoes, salads and veggies. These are added to all of the food that people bring to share at the event.
“We greatly appreciate all of our regular patrons who have returned over the past 10 years to Panini’s to celebrate with family and enjoy Christmas Dinner with us,” Thompson said.
“It might going to be a cold Christmas day this year in Beaufort, so we may not see as many as we usually see, but we’ll be here for anyone that wants to stop by for some Christmas cheer.”
Lots of folks look forward to the annual gathering.
“I can’t stress enough the amazing amount of support we get from the community for this special day. This is a great tradition and we are always pleased to be part of it. We love when our locals and visitors all come together for a holiday dinner, and with everything else closed, we’re happy to be here with them.” Thompson added.
The annual Orphans & Strays free Christmas Dinner is a pot luck where the folks who have been coming regularly year after year bring a side dish, with both Panini’s and Hemingway’s donating time and money in preparing the main entrées including turkeys, hams, mac & cheese, salads, etc. While it’s not necessary to bring anything, the food is free to all and you can meet some new friends. While the dinner is available to everyone starting around 2pm, the full bar will be available until 1:30am.
“The events have become popular and lots of folks look forward to them,” Thompson said. “So we are going to expand it next spring on Easter Sunday. Anyone and everyone is welcome.”
Hemingway’s Bistro is located at 920 Bay Street (Rear) at downtown Beaufort’s Waterfront Park, and Panini’s is at 926 Bay Street, just next door.
