FOOD & WINE Classic In Charleston Announces Talent And Special Events For September Festival

Food & Wine, Southern Living, and Travel + Leisure announce the talent, programming and events lineup for the inaugural FOOD & WINE Classic in Charleston, set for September 27-29, 2024. From star-studded cooking demos and wine tastings to the ultimate tailgate, tickets are on sale now for this premier culinary weekend showcasing the best of Charleston and beyond. Presented by Explore Charleston, the FOOD & WINE Classic in Charleston is an extension of the iconic FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen, bringing more than 40 years of expertise to spotlight the Lowcountry’s unique culinary and cultural offerings. 

About The Weekend

A centerpoint for the weekend, the legendary 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, Ed Lee, 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.

Programming Highlights

• The Barbecue Sides Smackdown competition with Rodney Scott and John Lewis, hosted by Ed Lee
• 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 Chauan
• 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.

To celebrate all that the city has to offer, the FOOD & WINE Classic in Charleston will also host several special off-site ticketed events available to festival passholders for purchase. Here’s a selection of the newest events:

Southern Living Lowcountry Tailgate at The Dunlin Auberge Resorts Collection in 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, exceptional Southern BBQ, and world-class cocktails at this gorgeous new resort, 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 unforgettable 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.

Explore Charleston is the Presenting Sponsor of the FOOD & WINE Classic in Charleston 2024, with additional sponsors including Discover South Carolina, Lexus, and S.Pellegrino. For more on festival programming, participating talent, and travel information, please visit foodandwineclassicincharleston.com.