MARCH IS SYNONYMOUS with the Charleston Wine + Food Festival. For five days, from March 4 to 8, 2020, Charleston will serve as the backdrop for a gathering of top chefs, winemakers, authors, storytellers, artisans and food enthusiasts from around the world.
Now in its 15th year, the festival will feature more than 100 unique culinary experiences to fill your belly and feed your soul. Here is a look at some of the scheduled events:
Culinary Village: Located in Marion Square, the Culinary Village opens Friday of festival week at the opening ceremony and continues through Sunday. An all-inclusive daily ticket guarantees five hours of tasting, sipping, chef demos, live music, retail therapy and more.
Signature Events: Experience food and beverage in a nontraditional event atmosphere. The events take place in various venues, both traditional and untapped, for an experience rooted in the local culinary heritage.
Signature Dinners: Taking place in some of Charleston’s most celebrated dining rooms, local chefs and restaurants welcome a nationally acclaimed guest chef and beverage professional to curate a multi-course dining experience for one evening during the festival.
Beverage Workshops: Led by beverage professionals from all over the world, the workshops offer an intimate and educational platform to experience wine, beer and cocktails.
Brunches + Lunches: Enjoy a specially curated menu with beverage pairings, including beer, wine, champagne or cocktails, at various local restaurants and venues.
Hands-On Classes: Get involved in the fun and take a class taught by acclaimed chefs, artists and experts. Each class offers a different theme and cuisine focus.
Excursions: An invaluable opportunity for guests to be guided through an insightful and educational experience that incorporates the charm of Charleston with impeccable cuisine.
The money raised from the event supports One80 Place Training and its food rescue program, along with several scholastic programs. One80 Place helps to combat the current staffing shortage in Charleston’s culinary and hospitality community by offering a five-week culinary crash course that helps enrollees acquire skills so they can find stable, gainful employment. The festival serves as a paid externship opportunity for all current enrollees and past graduates, as students are paired with local chefs to act as support during the festival. One80 reports a 95 percent hire rate from this direct placement.
For more information or to purchase tickets, go to charlestonwineandfood.com.
