Guide to Charleston Wine + Food Festival
It’s time.
The tents are up.
The chefs are throwing some air jabs before entering the ring.
Famed food writer John Mariani is complaining about the plug-in “wireless” at his hotel.
The folks who slave away 365 to bring us 4 days of gastronomic bliss have had their annual version of “The Last Supper.”
The Charleston Wine + Food Festival has arrived. And as a local, you need to be on this like Charlie Sheen on crazy pills. Here is CHARLIE’s ultimate guide to this year’s Fest:
There are always the sure fire hits – Opening Night, Festival After-Hours, Gospel Brunch, BBQ, Blues & Brew – but we’re going to talk about what you may not know about.
Last year’s newcomer Wine Around the Garden was #1 on our list and is sure to be more spectacular in its second year. An afternoon of picturesque gardens, top wines and winemakers from around the globe, the best local chefs, trolley transportation so no worries of being over-served…what’s not to like?
Bubbles + Bites will be another good newbie this year. Everyone loves a rooftop, hence the setting atop The Restoration on King. Oysters, champagne and a lower ticket price will give the flirty 20- and 30-somethings another staple event to add to their schedule, formerly consisting of Bubbles & Sweets (now dubbed Festival After-Hours).
Of course there will be celebs (word on the street is that Bill Murray and Darius Rucker will be at Peninsula Grill’s Dine-Around – and Rucker’s rumored to sing) and celeb chefs (Top Chef favorites Bryan Voltaggio, Carla Hall, Kenny Gilbert and Kevin Gillespie, among others) in town – but the best part of the Festival is always the local. So fill your dance card with Locavore Luncheon and Early Spring Harvest Lunch. We’re also loving the Lowcountry Farm-to-Table Excursion because who doesn’t love a field trip full of great food?
The private after parties are the best of the best, but difficult to get into. They’re where all the chefs and chef-aids (i.e. die hard fans) come to party into the wee hours of the night, and usually get rowdier than most sweet Charleston evenings. They’re the closest things to big city celeb parties our town has, and they never disappoint. Our hands are tied in telling you about these off-menu parties, but you may or may not want to stalk Jeremiah Bacon, Sean Brock and Mike Lata. All we’re sayin’.
If you’ve only been to the Culinary Village, you haven’t experienced the Festival. The Village is fun, but there’s a reason it’s the least expensive thing on the agenda. Know this – those high ticket price events? They’re worth it. You won’t be disappointed. Of course the best events are now sporting a big “SOLD OUT” (which you won’t see next year if you start looking in December), but there are several smaller events still available.
So make today the first day of the rest of your life. Or at least the first day of your new favorite festival.
Story by: Caroline Nuttall
