Celebrity-Packed FOOD & WINE Classic in Charleston Officially Underway

By Robin Gibson

Images by Cameron Wilder / FOOD & WINE Classic in Charleston

For three days, attendees can dive into seminars, cooking demos, wine and spirits tastings, panel discussions and excursions, not to mention exclusive dinners at local restaurants paired with top chefs from around the globe.

The inaugural FOOD & WINE Classic in Charleston began three days of programming, talent and experiences today befitting of this culinary hotspot we get to call home. Brought to life by Food & Wine, Travel + Leisure, and Southern Living, and presented by Explore Charleston, this weekend features an all-star lineup of chefs, mixologists, winemakers and experts for an informative weekend of food, drink and entertainment served with a side of Southern hospitality.

Headlining the event are culinary icons like Andrew Zimmern, Sean Brock, Maneet Chauhan, Tyler Florence and Stephanie Izard, alongside TV favorites Al Roker and Tamron Hall, and many others. Charleston's own stars, such as Mike Lata, Carrie Morey and Rodney Scott, are also adding their magic to the mix. For three days, attendees can dive into seminars, cooking demos, wine and spirits tastings, panel discussions and excursions, not to mention exclusive dinners at local restaurants paired with top chefs from around the globe.

A few standout events already turning heads include the Battle of the Biscuits with Erika Council and local Carrie Morey of Callie's Hot Biscuits fame, and the BBQ Sides Smackdown featuring heavyweights like John Lewis and Charleston pitmaster Hector Garate behind Palmira Barbecue, a spot that recently topped Southern Living's Best New Barbecue Joints in the South list. For wine lovers, seminars like “Cellar Stars: Amazing Reds at 5, 10, and 20 Years Old” are a must, while beer enthusiasts might enjoy tastings on coastal brews with “Beer by the Sea.” The overall selection of seminars is vast and covers many topics.

Despite Hurricane Helene trying to disrupt plans, the team behind it kicked things off with a Welcome Party at the Gibbes Museum of Art Thursday, September 26.

Adding to the excitement is the FOOD & WINE Dine Around Charleston series, featuring those global chef superstars at restaurants like FIG, Indaco, Sorelle and Zero George for exclusive, one-night-only dining experiences. And if that’s not enough, curated Passport to Charleston shopping and crabbing excursions with Travel + Leasure Editor-in-Chief Jacqui Gifford, and a Southern Living Lowcountry Tailgate complete with Southern BBQ and live music in a stunning waterfront setting round out the offerings.

Despite Hurricane Helene trying to disrupt plans, the team behind it kicked things off with a Welcome Party at the Gibbes Museum of Art Thursday, September 26. Attendees included City of Charleston Mayor William Scott Cogswell Jr.; chefs Erick Williams, Claudette Zepeda, Alexander Smalls, Marcus Shell, Corrie Morey and Amythy Ganaway; along with Travel + Leisure Editor-in-Chief Jacqui Gifford, Food & Wine Editor-in-Chief Hunter Lewis, Southern Living Editor-in-Chief Sid Evan, Food & Wine Editor at Large Justine Chapple, and Neil Vogle, CEO of Dotdash Meredith. The photo gallery above shines a spotlight on the evening.

With the FOOD & WINE Classic in Charleston in full swing, this city is truly the place to be for food lovers, blending world-class talent with local flavors for a weekend that’s bold, smart, local—right now.

Learn more about the festival's full programming schedule and complete list of participating talent viaFoodandWineClassicinCharleston.com.