FOOD & WINE Classic in Charleston – An Inaugural Hit

Photo by Michael Reiss

Charleston South Carolina has garnered accolades for decades and has been repeatedly ranked as the number one most popular small city in the USA by readers of Travel + Leisure for well over a decade. This year, it was also ranked among the top five destinations internationally. Its history, architecture, southern hospitality and food scene all add up to this winning formula. FOOD & WINE Classic in Charleston is hosted by Food & Wine, Southern Living, and Travel + Leisure with Explore Charleston as the event’s presenting sponsor.

Photo by Michael Reiss

With this prestigious backing and Charleston’s numerous accolades, the inaugural festivities took place on Sept.27-29, 2024. The weekend began with a VIP Welcome Party held at the Gibbes Museum of Art. The participating culinary talent and sponsors nibbled on local chefs’ signature dishes and toasted the start of this annual gourmet gathering.

An extensive round of food and wine seminars began on Friday morning and continued each day. An array of local and nationally acclaimed talent shared valuable tips of the trade with an audience of rapt amateur aficionados eager to sharpen their skills and taste the results of the cooking demonstrations.

Photo by Michael Reiss

Among the seminar luminaries were Tyler Florence sharing high steaks recipes and Nyesha Arrington offering tips on cooking crispy catfish, while Chefs James London and Cindy Tarvin revealed the journey from catch to cuisine. Other celebrities showcasing their talents throughout the weekend seminars included Brook Williamson, Andrew Zimmern, Al Roker, Ray Isle, Stephanie Izard and Maneet Chauhan.

Photo by Michael Reiss

Each afternoon was punctuated by two Grand Tasting sessions, one at lunch and the other in the late afternoon, held on the grounds of the visitor center.

Photo by Michael Reiss

Among the many gourmet goodies offered was the unique take on a lobster roll stuffed in an arepa prepared by Michelle Bernstein.

Photo by Michael Reiss

Another creative morsel was the “Hamachi Poke” presented by Iron Chef Stephanie Izard.

Photo by Michael Reiss

Shota Nakayima offered his inventive “Spicy Teriyaki Shrimp.”

Photo by Michael Reiss

In total there were more than 100 restaurants, wine and spirits offered at the Grand Tasting events from FOOD & WINE Classic in Charleston. A favorite bite — “Pistachio Breaded Quail Knots Dipped in Brandy Glaze” was offered by Executive Chef Letha McClary and Sous Chef Ashtin Stroud from 39 Rue de Jean Café in Charleston.

Photo by Michael Reiss

Lamont Ferreber from 82 Queen Restaurant in Charleston presented his delicious “Bourbon-Bacon Rillettes with Cracked Pepper Croutons and Blackberry Gastrique.”

Photo by Michael Reiss

Pastry Chef Ashley Cardona from Circa 1886 Restaurant in Charleston baked a delectable “Benne Seed & Yuzu Tart -Yuze Mouse, Benne Seed Cake, Milk Chocolate Ganache, Benne Seed Brittle.”

Photo by Michael Reiss

Each evening was punctuated by several dine-around options offered by local restaurants. Indaco Restaurant presented a family style meal, billed as “Appalachian Meets Low Country.”

Photo by Michael Reiss

This five-course tasting menu included crowd pleasing plates heaped high with “Roasted Pumpkin and Squash Salad with Pepitas, Goat Cheese and Arugula.” Next served were succulent “Skewered Shrimp,” which were bathed in a black garlic sauce. Next came “Sweet Corn Agnolotti” and “Charred Eggplant Radiatori” pastas. The finale included “Roasted Strip Steak,” and a dessert of “Butterscotch Budino.” Each course was accompanied by Italian wines and on request, creative nonalcoholic cocktails. The guests left sated and satisfied with this copious, rustic Italian feast.

After being tempted by the tastes of Charleston’s chefs, plan to experience some of these legendary restaurants. Here are some of our top recommendations.

Photo by Michael Reiss

Nestled in a quiet residential area near downtown Charleston– on the grounds of the prestigious AAA Five Diamond Wentworth Mansion– is the Cira 1886 Restaurant. Choose one of two creative five-course prefix menus (with or without wine pairings) or their a la carte offerings for a memorable dining experience.

We enjoyed a symphony of gourmet dishes, each executed with classic French technique–using locally sourced ingredients and touches of Southern culinary flair. One standout dish was the “Foie Gras Torchon ‘Brulee’ – Peach Cider Curd, Toasted Pecans, Finger Lime, Basil.” This was paired with Laurent-Perrier Harmony Champagne -Demi-Sec.”

Photo by Michael Reiss

 Another memorable dish, which elevated Charleston Low Country “Pulled Pork” to a higher level was the “Berkshire Pork, Gnocchi, Smoked Paprika Tomato Sauce, Manchego, Truffle Crema.” And this dish was paired with a Northern Italian Nebbiolo blend called Grasso Fratelli Trej 2018.”

The concept, care and craftsmanship of each dish were noteworthy. For Example, the “Blue Crab Salad” had cold pineapple sorbet, crunchy cucumber, and spicy radish, pungent Romesco Sauce and finished with Tequila Vinegar Gel, Cilantro, Tortilla Crisps making for a multi-sensual, multi-textural culinary experience.

The elegant restaurant atmosphere of Cira 1886, along with the superb service and high-level creative cuisine distinguishes this restaurant as a Michelin-level fine dining experience well worth a visit.

Photo by Michael Reiss

The ever-changing menu at Chubby Fish is driven by the chef’s passion for and commitment to the local catch. His dock to table philosophy draws a nightly no – reservations crowd that is willing to wait for an open table to enjoy his creative interpretations of the bounty of the seas.

Photo by Michael Reiss

We enjoyed a caviar slider, a watermelon, cantaloupe and pork belly salad, the bone marrow, tempura shrimp dish and the whole grilled pompano bathed in a ginger scallion sauce that is his wife Yoyo’s family recipe from Indonesia.

Photo by Michael Reiss

No visit to Charleston would be complete without dinner at Magnolias. This tried-and-true staple of the Charleston culinary scene has served the city for over 50 years. Magnolias Restaurant delivers the rich Southern heritage of Low Country cooking with African, European and Asian influences evident throughout the menu.

Photo by Michael Reiss

The “Lowcountry Bouillabaisse” was a complex, hearty Cioppino-style seafood broth with andouille sausage, potatoes, corn and okra, along with an array of skillfully prepared seafood.

The “Down South Egg Roll” reflected “East meet West” with Southern ingredients wrapped in an egg roll described as “Collard greens, chicken, Tasso ham, red pepper purée, spicy mustard, peach chutney.” The evening finished on a sweet note with dessert classics including “Red Velvet Bread Puddling- Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream” and “Southern Pecan Pie- Bourbon Caramel, Vanilla Bean Ice Cream, Praline Lace Cookie.”

Photo by Michael Reiss

Go to The Grocery, just off King Street for an inspired Mediterranean menu using seasonal, local ingredients.

Photo by Michael Reiss

We enjoyed fried oysters with house made pickles, a roasted okra dish, a corn and chanterelle pasta dish and a seafood pilau redolent with the catch of the day and then some. Wine pairings by the glass hailed from boutique vineyards in Europe and California wineries with the acidity that paired well and complimented the chef’s nuanced recipes.

Photo by Michael Reiss

Step into the boutique Ryder Hotel located on Meeting Street and climb the stairs to Little Palm. This coastal enclave in the heart of Charleston offers a vibrant poolside café and bar.  

Photo by Michael Reiss

Besides the creative cocktails and casual ambience, you’ll find carefully crafted Latin American cuisine. Even familiar items like tacos and tostadas take on a fresh, Latin flair in the hands of a Michelin trained chef from Mexico.

Photo by the Sans Souci Hotel

If time permits, enjoy a Bulldog Tours food walking tour lead by Faith who is a vibrant, knowledgeable guide eager to share her enthusiasm for her city. She adds history to your tasting experience and elucidates the southern cooking tradition to add meaning to your gustatory pleasure.

Photo by Michael Reiss

In the same vicinity, book a carriage ride with Old South Carriage Co. to leisurely clip clop along the lovely residential streets viewing the charming areas that make Charleston the regularly voted #1 small city by readers of Conde Naste and Travel + Leisure magazines.

Finally, between meals at FOOD & WINE Classic in Charleston, fit in some of the many noteworthy sites of the city including the Charleston Museum, the historic homes, The Gibbes Museum of Art and The South Carolina Aquarium– all of which will add immense understanding and richness to your experience of charming Charleston. To plan your itinerary, go to ExploreCharleston.

Photo by Michael Reiss