CNN

WASHINGTON (CNN) – Who's a better cook, Bobbie Edwards or Martha from Kitty's Soul Food? Former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards got the chance to see if someone else's food could beat his mom's home cooking at a local joint in Charleston, South Carolina on Tuesday morning.

"I'm looking forward to eating the food," Edwards said. "And I tell you, I want to see if your country cooking's as good as my mother's, who's sitting right over there. It's a tough competition."

Edwards' wife, Elizabeth, and his parents Bobbie, 74, and Wallace, 75, joined him in sampling the fare at the local restaurant. They were all in town for the CNN/YouTube debate on Monday night.

This is not the first time Edwards' parents have joined him on the campaign trail.

– CNN Associate Producer Lauren Kornreich