Food & Wine, Travel + Leisure, and Southern Living hosted the first-ever FOOD & WINE Classic in Charleston from September 27 -29th. Presented by Explore Charleston, the FOOD & WINE Classic in Charleston featured three days of unparalleled culinary experiences with an all-star line-up of chefs, winemakers, mixologists, and entertainers.

The event featured star-studded cooking demos and wine tastings. Celebrity chefs including Tyler Florence, Stephanie Izard, Andrew Zimmern, Maneet Chauhan, Sean Brock, Alexander Smalls, Erick Williams, as well as Al Roker and Charleston’s local chefs presented seminars. Celebrities Valerie Bertinelli and Ross Mathews also attended. Sponsored 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.

Hunter Lewis, Editor in Chief of Food & Wine said, 'It's always an honor to bring together some of the most dynamic talent in the food world. 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.'

Program highlights included a BBQ Sides Smackdown competition between Rodney Scott and John Lews; Al Roker and his daughter sharing dishes from their new cookbook; Battle of the Biscuits competition, Tyler Florence’s secrets to great steak dishes and Stephanie Izard sharing brunch classics.

The FOOD & WINE Classic in Charleston also offered special off-site events including a Southern Living Lowcountry Tailgate Party at the new Southern Living 2024 Idea House on the Kiawah River; a shopping tour with Travel + Leisure’s Editor in Chief Jacqui Gifford and a crabbing outing in the lowcountry. For information on the event, visit https://www.foodandwineclassicincharleston.com.