Sip, Savor, and Celebrate: What to Expect at the Inaugural Food & Wine Classic Charleston

Charleston

This September, food enthusiasts will have a reason to celebrate as the iconic Food & Wine Classic arrives in Charleston for the first time. Running from Friday, September 27th, to Sunday, September 29th, the Food & Wine Classic Charleston brings live demonstrations, expert-led seminars, and exceptional culinary experiences to the East Coast. Modeled after the prestigious Aspen event, this weekend is set to be a culinary highlight for Charleston.

Attendees can expect an impressive lineup of culinary talent, including TV personality, chef, and restaurateur Nyesha Arrington, restaurateur and chef Sean Brock, Food & Wine editor-in-chief Hunter Lewis, and restaurant director Megan Mina. With over 50 chef demos, seminars, and panels on the schedule, attendees will learn from the best. Topics range from pairing wines with meals to creating refined dishes, giving both food lovers and aspiring chefs the opportunity to expand their knowledge.

The event’s central hubs will be at the Grand Tasting Pavilion and Gather Charleston Pavilion, where over 100 wines, spirits, and gourmet foods will be available for sampling. Here, dishes crafted by some of the country’s most celebrated chefs and mixologists will showcase Charleston’s vibrant food scene.

Attendees can look forward to a range of engaging seminars and panels covering various culinary traditions and innovations. Some highlights include “High Steaks: Recipes of an American Steakhouse,” “The City That Rice Built,” and “Battle of the Biscuits.” Additional sessions dive deep into regional cuisine, including barbecue techniques and the rich history of Lowcountry cooking. 

At the Mills House, bourbon and whiskey lovers can enjoy “Bourbon & Bacon: The Ultimate Pairing,” “A World Whiskey Tour,” and “Super Summer Sippers,” a seminar dedicated to low-ABV and wine-based cocktails. 

For those looking to explore Charleston beyond the kitchens and tasting rooms, the Travel + Leisure “Passport to Charleston” tour offers a stylish and gastronomic adventure through the city. Guests can choose between the “Style Stroll,” which highlights Charleston’s vibrant shopping scene, and the “Sea to Table” tour, showcasing the city’s seafood heritage​. 

For more culinary delights, the Food & Wine “Dine Around Charleston” event offers passholders the chance to experience the best restaurants the city offers. And featuring elevated Lowcountry dishes and fine beverages, Southern Living’s “Lowcountry Tailgate” blends local flavors with an upscale twist, creating a relaxed yet refined outdoor dining experience. 

Tickets for the Food & Wine Classic Charleston are available for purchase online. Single-event tickets start at $250, and tours and individual events are selling out fast.