Here’s the Official Lineup of the Inaugural Food & Wine Classic in Charleston

Mark your calendars: The inaugural Food & Wine Classic in Charleston is (nearly) upon us and it’s going to be quite the treat for enthusiasts of all things epicurean.

For the past 41 years, the world’s premier culinary festival has been held annually in Aspen, Colorado — but this fall, the Classic is expanding to an additional location with the historic southern city of Charleston, in collaboration with Explore Charleston and Dotdash Meredith brands, Southern Living, and Travel + Leisure.

Running from September 27 to 29, the festival will be a star-studded affair that will turn the Holy City into a food-and-drink Mecca for a full three days, showcasing some of the finest culinary talents in the world — including Tyler Florence, Andrew Zimmern, Maneet Chauhan, Sean Brock, Alexander Smalls, Brooke Williamson, Erick Williams, Stephanie Izard, CJ McCollum, and Claudette Zepeda. 

Local favorites — such as Mike Lata, Miles White, Femi Oyediran, Bethany Heinze, John Lewis, Rodney Scott, and Carrie Morey — will also be in attendance. Beloved NBC weatherman Al Roker and award-winning talk show host Tamron Hall will be there as well.

“It’s always an honor to bring together some of the most dynamic talent in the food world,” said Hunter Lewis, Food & Wine’s editor-in-chief. “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.”

As always, in true Classic tradition, there will be more than 50 cooking demonstrations, wine and spirits seminars, and panel discussions — in addition to the centerpiece of the weekend: the 19,000-square-foot Grand Tasting Pavillion, which will feature more than 100 winemakers, distillers, chefs, and purveyors serving wine, spirits, and food from the region and around the world. 

Here’s a small taste of what’s to come:

• The Barbecue Sides Smackdown competition with Rodney Scott and John Lewis
• Recipes to Live By with Al Roker of NBC’s Today and his daughter Courtney Roker Laga sharing dishes from their new cookbook
• Masala Dabba: The Heart and Soul of the Indian Kitchen with Maneet Chauhan
• Outside the Brunch Box: Diner Favorites with a Twist with Stephanie Izard
• High Steaks: Recipes of an American Steakhouse with Tyler Florence
• Battle of the Biscuits competition with Carrie Morey, Erika Council, and Jason Stanhope

Beyond all that, the F&W Classic in Charleston is also hosting three ultra-exclusive off-site events available for purchase only to festival passholders: the Southern Living Lowcountry Tailgate at The Dunlin, hosted by Southern Living editor-in-chief Sid Evans; the Travel + Leisure Style Stroll, led by Travel + Leisure editor-in-chief Jacqui Gifford: and Sea to Table: Crabbing & Cooking in the Lowcountry. 

The Southern Living Lowcountry Tailgate will allow attendees to indulge in a traditional southern oyster roast — hosted by The Lee Brothers and Erica Blaire of Blue Smoke Blaire’s fame. “We’re excited to celebrate the rich culture of Charleston, and to highlight the people who bring it to life,” Sid Evans, Southern Living’s editor-in-chief, said. “We’re also thrilled to welcome attendees to our newest Idea House in Kiawah River, which opens in August 2024, as a venue for celebrating the food, traditions, and hospitality of the Lowcountry.”

Meanwhile, the two Travel + Leisure tours showcase Charleston’s historic locations and vibrant culture. “We’re thrilled to highlight the magic of Charleston that our readers have celebrated for years,” said Travel + Leisure’s Jacqui Gifford. “We’re excited to offer experiences like bespoke shopping tours and hands-on crabbing and cooking adventures, immersing guests in the charm, history, and culture that make this city so special.”

Check out the full schedule of cooking demonstrations, panels, and seminars here — and the full talent lineup here. And to purchase tickets, which are $500 off through July 31, come on over this way.