Charleston Wine + Food (CHSWF) this week announced its highly anticipated 2025 Festival event schedule, with tickets officially going on sale October 24th at 11 a.m. EDT. Now in its 19th year, CHSWF is preparing to bring back favorite events, re-launch beloved traditions, and introduce new talent and themes. This year, the festival will also unveil changes to the Culinary Village and overall festival experience.
“We are beyond excited to share the 2025 festival schedule with our community and guests,” said Alyssa Maute Smith, Executive Director Charleston Wine + Food. “This year’s lineup reflects our continued commitment to showcasing the vibrant culinary community of Charleston, while also embracing fresh, innovative experiences. Each event has been thoughtfully curated to offer something truly special, whether you’re a longtime attendee or a first-time guest. We can’t wait for everyone to explore the schedule and begin planning what we know will be an unforgettable festival."
The festival says they are also looking forward to the overall diversity in the 2025 line-up.
“We’re excited about the incredible talent lineup we are curating for the 2025 festival,” said Jenna Kepley, Programming Manager of Charleston Wine + Food. “This year we are welcoming a diverse group of local, regional, national, and international chefs, mixologists, winemakers, industry experts, and culinary innovators to help us celebrate our shared passion of connecting people through food and drink with Charleston at the center. It’s an opportunity for guests to walk away with a once-in-a-lifetime memory. At every nook and cranny of this 5-day festival, there is someone sharing a part of themselves whether it is on a plate, in a glass, on a stage, or in a bottle. We encourage guests to come with a sense of adventure and the desire to learn, and you will leave with a full heart, mind, and belly.”
Here are a few highlights of the upcoming festival:
Bar Takeover Series:
This year’s Bar Takeover Series features some of the top talent in the global bar industry - including people associated with the World’s 50 Best Bars, James Beard Award-winning programs, and renowned establishments.
Jacques Pépin: A Global Celebration:
Iconic Chef, Television Host, Cookbook Author, Instructor, Fine Artist - are just some of the titles that Jacques Pépin holds. What is not reflected in this string of titles is the mass impact that Pépin has had on the culinary work and the global reach of his impact. In collaboration with the Jacques Pépin Foundation as part of their 90th birthday celebration of Jacques, this special dinner will showcase the vast impact of Jacques and celebrate his legacy through the food and stories of a stellar lineup of five chefs including James Beard Award winning Chef Mike Lata of FIG and The Ordinary, and Chef Michelle Weaver fresh off the heels of her 27 years as the guiding force of the Charleston Grill. This multi-course dining experience will start with a cocktail hour featuring Jacques’ favorite spirit - bourbon - prepared by James Beard award winning bar program, Jewel of the South. Each course will be paired with the finest of French wines, including Champagne Pol Roger , hand-selected by Marika Vida of Frederick Wildman.
For One Night (or Brunch) Only – Hominy Grill Returns:
Charleston Wine + Food’s For One Night Only series is a collection of events that are dedicated to bringing back iconic restaurants of Charleston’s past. Since the inception of this series, they have recreated dining experiences from Two Boroughs Larder and Trattoria Lucca. This year the festival is bringing back the iconic Hominy Grill for One Brunch Only. At this special Charleston Wine + Food event, they will celebrate Chef Robert Stehling and his impact on Southern cuisine and his role in Charleston’s development into a major culinary destination.
Signature Dinners, Lunches, + Brunches:
- Estadio Pintxos Party: Featuring James Beard nominee Chef Katie Button of Curaté and Chef Jason Paolini of Lucian Books and Wine, New York Times’ 2022 “The Restaurant List.”
- Brasserie La Banque: Hosting Chef Tom Branighan of MaMou, one of New York Times’ “Best New Restaurants of 2023.”
- Vern’s Volume Oz: Showcasing Sydney-based Chef Mat Lindsay, whose restaurant Ester ranks on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list.
- Circa 1886 – A Fine Dining Take on Fast Food: with special guest, New York Times Chief Wine Critic Eric Asimov.
- Magnolias: Featuring Chris Williams, Executive Chef and Owner of Lucille’s in Houston.
- Porchetta Shop: Collaboration between Chef Michael Toscano and Michelin-starred Chef Dale Talde of Goosefeather.
New Signature Events:
- One Night in NOLA: For this event guests will be transported to the streets of NOLA for just one night. They are celebrating the shared love of jazz music, a stiff cocktail, and food filled with bold flavors and local ingredients. Enjoy a mashup of Creole and Gullah-inspired bites that showcase the international influences of both city’s cuisines. Paired with delicious wines and of course classic cocktails from some of the best talent shaking things up in the Big Easy and Holy City - you’ll soon learn how these Tippling Towns get down
- Good Vines Only: Good Vines Only is a celebration for wine lovers. From small wineries to wineries that you may know, Good Vines Only will feature a wide variety of producers showcasing the fruits of their labor. Good Vines Only will showcase small bites from restaurants who boast top-notch wine programs. Some featured wineries include Matt Crutchfield Wines, Catch + Release, Don Luchi, Jonata, The Hilt Estate, Gundlach Bundschu Winery, and more.
Additional Experiences Include:
- A Kultura Kamayan Feast: Join James Beard nominated Charleston chef Nikko Cagalanan and a few of his friends who are shaking things up in Filipinx-American cuisine for a culturally immersive feast
- Strange Delight @ The Oyster Shed: Brooklyn newcomer, Strange Delight, is a New Orleans-inspired seafood restaurant that brings the coolness of New York and the flavors of NOLA all in one punch. Owner and Executive Chef Ham El-Waylly, together with the notably hospitable Leon’s team, will be dishing up refined yet familiar plates that will leave any food enthusiast feeling jazzed
- The Ordinary Wine Lunch: What was once a bank in the 1920’s is now one of Charleston’s most illustrious dining establishments. Helmed by Chefs Mike Lata and Tori Schumacher, The Ordinary is known for “fancy seafood” highlighting local purveyors and the freshest catches. Join the fine team at The Ordinary for a multi-course luxe seafood-centric lunch perfectly paired with delicious wines
- Hands-on baking class with Joy the Baker, Battle of the Scones: Joy Wilson, aka Joy the Baker, is known for creating magic in the kitchen, especially when it comes to the art of baking. Learn from the best of the best in this hands-on class where Joy will teach you how to make a perfect brunch pastry - scones
- Whiskey Workshop, Ireland Uncorked: Join Paul Clarke, Executive Editor of Imbibe as you taste through today’s Irish whiskey evolution under the guidance of some of its best-informed experts
For the full schedule, tickets, and more information, visit: www.charlestonwineandfood.com.
