Food & Wine, Southern Living, and Travel + Leisure today announced the talent, programming, and events lineup for the inaugural FOOD & WINE Classic in Charleston, set for September 27-29, 2024. Tickets are on sale now for this culinary weekend showcasing the best of Charleston and beyond.
A centerpoint for the weekend, the Grand Tasting Pavilion will feature more than 100 winemakers, distillers, chefs, and purveyors serving wine, spirits, and food from the local area and around the world. The programming will include more than 40 cooking demos, panels, and wine and spirits seminars with best-in-class talent including Tyler Florence, Andrew Zimmern, Maneet Chauhan, Sean Brock, Alexander Smalls, Al Roker, Brooke Williamson, Erick Williams, Stephanie Izard, Tamron Hall, CJ McCollum, Claudette Zepeda, Wanda Mann, as well as local favorites Mike Lata, Miles White, Femi Oyediran, Bethany Heinze, John Lewis, Rodney Scott, Carrie Morey, and many more. See the full talent line-up here.
"It's always an honor to bring together some of the most dynamic talent in the food world," said Hunter Lewis, Editor-in-Chief of Food & Wine said. "We are grateful to all the chefs, winemakers, and experts joining us in the Lowcountry to build an exciting new FOOD & WINE Classic created to showcase the best of this region."
Among the programming highlights:
- The Barbecue Sides Smackdown competition with Rodney Scott and John Lewis
- Recipes to Live By with Al Roker of NBC’s Today and his daughter Courtney Roker Laga sharing dishes from their new cookbook
- Masala Dabba: The Heart and Soul of the Indian Kitchen with Maneet Chauhan
- Outside the Brunch Box: Diner Favorites with a Twist with Stephanie Izard
- High Steaks: Recipes of an American Steakhouse with Tyler Florence
- Battle of the Biscuits competition with Carrie Morey, Erika Council, and Jason Stanhope
The full schedule of cooking demonstrations, seminars and panels is available here.
“The Southern Living Lowcountry Tailgate at Kiawah River will bring to life Charleston's outdoor cooking traditions in a stunning location," said Sid Evans, Editor-in-Chief of Southern Living said. "With award-winning chefs and pitmasters, an oyster roast, and a fantastic band, this will be a very fun night in the Lowcountry.”
The FOOD & WINE Classic will also host several special off-site ticketed events available to festival pass holders for purchase. Here’s a selection of the newest events:
Southern Living Lowcountry Tailgate at The Dunlin, Kiawah River
Hosted by Sid Evans, this ultimate Southern college football tailgate will take place at Kiawah River, the site of Southern Living’s 2024 Idea House. Guests will enjoy Lowcountry traditions, Southern BBQ, and cocktails with appearances by Chef Tyler Florence, Pitmasters John Lewis, Rodney Scott, and Hector Garate, and musical guest Boy Named Banjo. Attendees can also tour the Southern Living Idea House.
Travel + Leisure Style Stroll
Jacqui Gifford’s Shopping Guide to Charleston Travel + Leisure’s Editor-in-Chief will take guests on a shopping tour along Charleston's iconic King Street and beyond where Southern hospitality meets chic boutiques and upscale shops. The excursion will include stops at a curated selection of stores with everything from fashion-forward finds and unique gifts to artisanal goods and local collectibles.
Sea to Table: Crabbing & Cooking in the Lowcountry with Travel + Leisure
This Travel + Leisure experience will bring to life the coastal charm and culinary delights of Charleston. This program will be an adventure where guests will discover the secrets of harvesting the freshest crabs straight from the sea and learn how to transform them into delectable regional dishes.
Tickets for these additional special events are now available for sale to pass holders and more information can be found here, with more events to be announced, including a Dine Around series at a selection of the city’s top restaurants.
"We’re thrilled to highlight the magic of Charleston that our readers have celebrated for years,” said Gifford. “We’re excited to offer experiences like bespoke shopping tours and hands-on crabbing and cooking adventures, immersing guests in the charm, history, and culture that make this city so special.”
For more on festival programming, participating talent, and travel information, visit foodandwineclassicincharleston.com.
Presented by Explore Charleston, the FOOD & WINE Classic in Charleston is an extension of the FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen, bringing more than 40 years of expertise to spotlight the Lowcountry’s unique culinary and cultural offerings.
