The second annual Food & Wine Classic is set to take place in Charleston, South Carolina, bringing star-studded appearances from celebrities like Academy Award-winning actress Regina King and Grammy Award-winning singer Ciara to the historic Southern city. This culinary festival will be held from Nov. 14 to 16 and promises to feature illustrious talent from the food and wine world including legendary chefs Emeril Lagasse, Gail Simmons, country music star Trisha Yearwood, Top Chef winner Melissa King, barbecue master Rodney Scott, Tyler Florence, and adventure food expert Andrew Zimmern, in addition to CBS Mornings’ Tony Dokoupil. The event represents a collaboration between Food & Wine, Southern Living, and Travel + Leisure, bringing together three iconic lifestyle brands to create one of the Southeast’s premier food and wine events.
What Makes This Year’s Festival Special
The 2025 Food & Wine Classic builds on the success of last year’s inaugural Charleston event, expanding programming and adding even more celebrity power to the already impressive lineup. The festival represents a significant shift from its traditional home in Aspen, where it was hosted for many decades, to the food-forward city of Charleston.
Star-Studded Talent Lineup
Celebrity Chefs and Culinary Icons
The celebrity chef roster reads like a who’s who of American culinary culture. Emeril Lagasse, famous for his “Bam!” catchphrase and decades of television success, brings his New Orleans-influenced cooking style to the festival. Gail Simmons, longtime Top Chef judge and food writer, offers her expertise on contemporary dining trends.
Country music star Trisha Yearwood, who has successfully transitioned from recording artist to cookbook author and Food Network personality, will share her Southern cooking expertise. Melissa King, the first Asian-American woman to win Top Chef, represents the new generation of innovative chefs pushing culinary boundaries.
Rodney Scott, James Beard Award-winning pitmaster known for his whole-hog barbecue, brings authentic Lowcountry BBQ traditions to the programming. Tyler Florence, who has hosted numerous Food Network shows, and Andrew Zimmern, known for Bizarre Foods and his adventurous eating, round out the impressive culinary talent.
Entertainment and Media Stars
The addition of Regina King, who has won an Academy Award and multiple Emmy Awards, brings Hollywood glamour to the food festival. Ciara, chart-topping singer and entrepreneur, adds musical star power. Tony Dokoupil from CBS Mornings provides media personality appeal, likely hosting panel discussions or interviews with culinary talent.
Dine Around Charleston: Exclusive Restaurant Experiences
During the festival, culinary fans will be treated to programming like “Dine Around Charleston“, which pairs local and national chefs for one-night-only tasting menu experiences and parties at restaurants around the city.
Featured Restaurants
Participating venues include:
- Bintü Atelier – Known for West African-inspired cuisine
- By The Way – Contemporary American dining
- Kultura – Filipino-American fusion
- Merci – French-influenced bistro
- And more surprise locations
These collaborative dining experiences give attendees exclusive access to creative partnerships between visiting celebrity chefs and Charleston’s acclaimed local culinary talent. The one-night-only menus created specifically for the festival ensure unique experiences unavailable any other time of year.
Style Stroll: Charleston Shopping Experience
Festival goers can also sign up for the “Style Stroll“, which is curated by T+L’s Editor-in-Chief Jacqui Gifford. Participants will enjoy a self-guided shopping tour that showcases Charleston’s specialty shops and boutiques.
Featured Boutiques and Shops
Highlights include:
- Croghan’s Jewel Box – Historic jewelry store dating back to 1906
- Madison Mathews – Upscale women’s fashion boutique
- M. Dumas & Sons – Men’s clothing and accessories
- HART – Contemporary home goods
- The Tiny Tassel – Artisan jewelry and accessories
- Ibu Movement – Sustainable fashion
- Marsh & Magnolia – Southern-inspired gifts and decor
This shopping experience allows attendees to explore Charleston’s vibrant retail scene while taking a break from intensive food programming, offering a well-rounded festival experience.
Special Culinary Events and Experiences
Pearls of the Coast: A Lowcountry Oyster Roast
Guests can purchase tickets for signature events like “Pearls of the Coast: A Lowcountry Oyster Roast” complete with live jazz music and fire-roasted oysters. This traditional Southern seafood celebration embodies Charleston’s coastal heritage, featuring locally harvested oysters prepared in the time-honored Lowcountry style.
The combination of live jazz – a musical genre with deep roots in Charleston – and fresh oysters roasted over open fire creates an authentically regional experience that visitors can’t replicate elsewhere.
Hands-On Crabbing Expedition
Another unique offering is a hands-on crabbing expedition hosted by Charleston’s top chefs and an editor from T+L. This experiential activity takes attendees into Charleston’s coastal waters to learn about sustainable seafood harvesting, followed by cooking demonstrations showing how to prepare the fresh-caught blue crabs.
This culinary adventure bridges the gap between source and plate, educating festival attendees about Lowcountry seafood traditions and sustainable fishing practices while providing hands-on participation.
Core Festival Programming
Cooking Demonstrations
During the classic, attendees will enjoy three days of cooking demonstrations featuring more than 50 celebrity chef demos. These sessions allow audience members to watch professional chefs prepare signature dishes, learn techniques, and ask questions about recipes and cooking methods.
The celebrity chef demonstrations range from approachable weeknight dinners to advanced techniques for experienced home cooks, ensuring programming appeals to all skill levels.
Seminars and Educational Programming
Beyond cooking demos, the festival includes educational seminars covering topics like:
- Wine pairing fundamentals
- Cocktail crafting techniques
- Regional American cuisine
- Restaurant industry trends
- Sustainable food sourcing
- Culinary travel experiences
These culinary seminars feature industry experts, food writers, restaurateurs, and beverage professionals sharing insider knowledge with attendees.
Cocktail Tastings and Beverage Programming
The event includes cocktail tastings and beverage seminars led by renowned mixologists, winemakers, and distillers. With more than 100 wines, spirits, and bites available during tasting sessions, attendees can explore diverse flavor profiles and learn about beverage craftsmanship.
Meet the Makers
The festival unites renowned winemakers, distillers, and chefs in one location, creating networking opportunities for industry professionals and access to culinary celebrities for fans. This concentration of talent makes the Food & Wine Classic a premier event for both casual food enthusiasts and serious industry insiders.
Festival Sponsors
The festival is sponsored by:
- Explore Charleston – Local tourism board
- Discover South Carolina – State tourism organization
- Lexus – Luxury automotive brand
- SKS – Sponsor details
- S.Pellegrino – Italian mineral water brand
These partnerships help subsidize programming costs while maintaining the festival’s premium quality and expansive offerings.
Charleston: The Perfect Host City
From Aspen to Charleston
Before heading to Charleston, the celebrated event was primarily hosted in Aspen for many decades. The relocation to Charleston reflects the city’s emergence as one of America’s premier culinary destinations and its increasing recognition in luxury travel circles.
Charleston’s Appeal
The city of Charleston has consistently been named one of T+L readers’ favorite cities in the United States. This year, it came in at No. 3 on the list after holding the top spot for 12 straight years. The slight drop doesn’t diminish Charleston’s appeal – it remains one of America’s most beloved travel destinations.
The city is renowned for:
- Incredible food culture – From fine dining to casual seafood shacks, Charleston’s restaurant scene rivals any American city
- Beautiful and charming architecture – Historic homes, churches, and streets create Instagram-worthy backdrops
- Amazing hotel scene – From boutique properties to luxury resorts, accommodations match the city’s high standards
Why Charleston Works for This Festival
Charleston’s culinary renaissance over the past two decades has elevated it from regional food destination to national culinary capital. The city’s embrace of both traditional Lowcountry cuisine and innovative contemporary cooking creates the perfect environment for a festival celebrating America’s diverse food culture.
The mild November weather provides comfortable conditions for outdoor events like the oyster roast and crabbing expedition. The compact, walkable downtown makes moving between festival venues convenient for attendees.
Ticketing and Pricing
Tickets for the Food & Wine Classic and additional events can be purchased online through the official festival website. Various ticket tiers accommodate different budgets and interests.
Consumer Pass
A Consumer Pass for the weekend starts at $1,950, which includes:
- Four two-hour tasting sessions with more than 100 wines, spirits, and bites from both local restaurants and acclaimed chefs
- Access to more than 50 seminars and panels
- Entry to general festival programming
This comprehensive pass provides the core festival experience, allowing attendees to sample the full range of programming without purchasing individual event tickets.
Additional Ticketed Events
Special experiences like Dine Around Charleston dinners, the oyster roast, crabbing expedition, and Style Stroll require separate tickets beyond the base Consumer Pass. These premium experiences have limited capacity and typically sell out early.
VIP and Professional Passes
While not detailed in initial announcements, many food festivals offer VIP passes with perks like priority access, exclusive lounges, and meet-and-greet opportunities with celebrity chefs. Professional passes for industry insiders typically provide networking opportunities and trade-focused programming.
Planning Your Charleston Food & Wine Weekend
When to Book
The Nov. 14-16 dates fall during peak fall travel season in Charleston when weather is ideal and cultural events proliferate. Booking accommodations and flights early is essential, as Charleston’s limited hotel inventory fills quickly during major events.
Where to Stay
Charleston offers accommodations ranging from historic inns to modern luxury hotels. Properties near festival venues in downtown Charleston provide convenient access to programming. The festival website likely offers hotel partners with negotiated rates for attendees.
What to Wear
Charleston maintains a smart casual dress code even at upscale events. The oyster roast and crabbing expedition call for casual, outdoor-appropriate clothing, while evening tasting menu experiences warrant dressier attire. November temperatures typically range from 50-70°F, requiring layers.
Extending Your Stay
The festival provides an excellent reason to spend extra days exploring Charleston. The city’s historic homes, beaches, plantations, and surrounding Lowcountry offer compelling reasons to arrive early or depart late.
The Future of the Festival
The successful relocation from Aspen to Charleston positions the festival for continued growth. Charleston’s enthusiastic embrace of the event, combined with strong attendance and sponsor support, suggests the Food & Wine Classic will remain in the Holy City for years to come.
The addition of entertainment celebrities like Regina King and Ciara alongside culinary talent represents an evolution in festival programming, potentially attracting broader audiences beyond traditional food enthusiasts.
As Charleston continues developing its reputation as a culinary powerhouse and the festival expands its programming, the Food & Wine Classic in Charleston may eventually surpass the legacy of its Aspen predecessor, becoming the definitive American food festival.
Stay updated on culinary events, food festival news, and epicurean travel experiences at The Inspiring Insight—where we celebrate the intersection of food, culture, and travel that makes events like the Charleston Food & Wine Classic unforgettable experiences for enthusiasts and professionals alike.
