2026 Food & Wine Classic in Charleston: Chefs, Tastings, and Events to Know

06 Oct 2026

The November festival pairs cooking demonstrations and tastings with oyster roasts, crabbing trips, and a Lowcountry tailgate.

The Food & Wine Classic in Charleston returns November 13–15 for its third year, with a schedule that moves between chef-led sessions, wine tastings, and events rooted in the Lowcountry. First-time presenters include Carla Hall, Nancy Silverton, Susur Lee, Martin Yan, and Rick Martinez, alongside Charleston chefs and returning festival guests.

A Classic Pass includes four Grand Tastings and a choice of five live sessions from more than 40 demonstrations, tastings, and workshops. Hall will lead a baking demonstration, Yan and Melissa King will cook together, and Charleston chef Mike Lata will focus on coastal food. Silverton will lead a session celebrating 20 years of Pizzeria Mozza as part of the new Best New Chef Kitchen series. Another session brings Ana Castro and Justin Pichetrungsi together to explore tacos and the traditions behind them.

The drinks program ranges from a tasting that asks guests to distinguish a $20 wine from a $200 bottle to a fried chicken and fine wine pairing. Dan Pashman will record an episode of The Sporkful before a live audience, while Eric Ripert will sit down for a conversation with CNBC’s Scott Wapner.

The festival is also introducing a hands-on Southern Living Makers Series. Guests can arrange flowers with Canaan Marshall, learn about Gullah culture and make palmetto roses with Corey Alston, or take a biscuit and bubbles class with Carrie Morey and Miles White.

Charleston itself takes a larger role in the separately ticketed events. Friday’s Lowcountry oyster roast will bring together Lata, Shuai Wang, Nyesha Arrington, and other chefs for roasted oysters, drinks, and live music. On Saturday, the Southern Living Lowcountry Tailgate moves to the College of Charleston’s Cistern Yard, where Maneet Chauhan, George Motz, Kwame Onwuachi, and others will cook for a college football gathering.

A crabbing trip with Tia Clark of Casual Crabbing with Tia, followed by lunch with a Charleston chef, is also on the program. Additional experiences include an oyster farm tour and a Charleston Harbor cruise.

Classic Passes remain listed for sale on the festival website. The separately ticketed events described above are currently marked sold out.

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About the author

Paul Feinstein is the Managing Editor of Fine Dining Lovers and has been writing and editing in Los Angeles and around the world for more than two decades.

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