The third annual BB&T Charleston food and wine festival 2008 brings together prominent chefs, authors and wine sommeliers from all over the nation for an extravagant celebration of the extraordinary culinary history and culture of Charleston, South Carolina from Thursday the 28th of February to Sunday the 2nd of March. The festival presents the unique flavors and cooking styles of the 'Lowcountry' at more than fifty events, held over four days. Most of the events take place in the Festival Culinary Village, located in downtown Charleston at Marion Square Park.
The Festival also promotes and supports a number of culinary interests and charities and is a recognized 501(c) 3 non-profit organization. The mission statement of the festival states that it wishes to establish a world class food and wine festival with the objective of supporting various culinary charities. The festival endeavors to preserve the unique culinary heritage of the 'Lowcountry' through various events held during the four days of the Charleston food and wine festival.
Some of the highlights of the festival are:-
The Salute to Charleston Chefs 2008 opening night party.
This opening night dinner will feature a medley of Charleston's top chef's who will be joining forces to celebrate all things 'Lowcountry'. For this opening night dinner, the chefs will create a menu which will feature the best cuisine found in the Lowcountry. This menu will be paired with wines provided by winemakers who are represented by the Ben Arnold Beverage company who is the sponsor of the dinner. The dinner will also feature a scintillating live jazz performance by Charleston's finest jazz musician Quentin Baxter .
Details about participating chefs, wineries and the menu are available on the website of the festival at http://www.charlestonfoodandwine.com. Tickets for the opening night party are available on line and cost $100 per head. The dinner will be held on Thursday the 28th of February 2008 from 7pm to 10 pm.
Charleston Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, Michelin North America and SCPRT Present Picnic Lunch with the Stars
This is a new event at the festival this year. The picnic will feature a seminar during which culinary experts will explore the evolution of southern cooking over the years. The event will also include a tribute to Edna Lewis, who is recognized as a stalwart of southern cuisine. Guests will enjoy a family style picnic at the event which is to be held on Friday the 29th between 12.30 pm and 2pm. Tickets for the Picnic Lunch with the Stars cost $50 and are available online.
Restaurant Dine-Around
The Restaurant Dine-Around is a popular event at the festival every year. This event will feature the participation fourteen of Charleston's premier restaurants who will each be paired with a featured guest chef. They will together then prepare and serve an exquisite five course dinner to ticket holders for the event. This dinner will be paired with fine wines supplied by a prominent winemaker as well. This restaurant dine-around is to be held on Friday the 28th from 6.30 pm onwards. For more information regarding participating restaurants, chefs, winemakers and tickets which cost $150 per head, do visit the website of the Charleston food and wine festival.
King Street Sip & Stroll: Upper King Street Shops
King Street Sip & Stroll : Lower King Street Shops
This event is another popular event of the annual Charleston food and wine festival. The event consists of a stroll along the main shopping drag of Charleston while sipping and savoring a glass of wine. Guests can choose to go to either on the Upper or Lower King Street Stroll. Each of the chic boutiques of King Street will play host a top winemaker for the event. These winemakers will pour samples of their delicious brews for the guests who visit these boutiques. The King Street Sip and Stroll is also scheduled for Friday the 28th from 3pm to 6pm and tickets for this tasting event cost $35.
Culinary Village Pass
The Culinary Village this year is sponsored by Turbo Chef. Like at the previous festivals, the Culinary Village, will be the epicenter of the Charleston food and wine festival this year as well. The Village will feature two Grand Tasting Tents, which will have exhibits of more than seventy companies. At these tents, ticket holders will have the chance to take part in interactive competitions, watch cooking demonstrations and enjoy wine tastings and sampling of gourmet cuisine provided by the exhibitors. Tickets to the Culinary Village cost $45 and are good for one session at the Culinary Village.
Charleston Magazine and The Art Institute of Charleston Presents: Bubbles & Sweets
This open air event will be held on Saturday the 1st of March from 9pm onwards at Marion Square Park. The event is a desert fest which will feature delectable confections prepared by well-known local and national pastry chefs. These heavenly deserts will be accompanied by Champagne, sparkling wines, desert wines, liqueurs and cigars. Entertainment for the event will be provided by DJ Moo Moo. Tickets to this hedonistic dance and desert fest cost $55 per head.
NBSC and Charlestowne Hotels Presents Lowcountry Gospel Brunch
The Gospel brunch will be held on Sunday the 2nd of March, from 11.30 am onwards and will feature Charleston's best restaurants and caterers including Chef Sam Talbot who was a finalist in the popular Bravo TV reality show Top Chef in 2006.
Along with delicious mouth watering goodies the Brunch will also feature Inspirational gospel music which will be preformed by a local group called Voices of Deliverance. Tickets to this rousing event cost $50 per head and are available online as well.
