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Love great food, fantastic adventures, and even better company? Then it’s time to get excited because Food & Wine, Southern Living, and Travel + Leisure have announced who’s coming to the highly anticipated Food & Wine Classic in Charleston, presented by Explore Charleston. 

This Sept. 27-29, the trio of publications is traveling south for a weekend of cooking demonstrations, wine tastings, and the “ultimate tailgate” you won’t soon forget — and it’s all headed up by some of the best culinary talents on earth. 

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

Programming highlights from the event include “The Barbecue Sides Smackdown” competition, hosted by Rodney Scott and John Lewis, the “Recipes to Live By” event with Al Roker and his daughter, Courtney Roker Laga, who will share dishes from their new cookbook, and the “Outside the Brunch Box” event with Stephanie Izard. 

There’s also the “Masala Dabba: The Heart and Soul of the Indian Kitchen” event with Maneet Chauhan, “High Steaks: Recipes of an American Steakhouse” with Tyler Florence, and the “Battle of the Biscuits” competition with Carrie Morey, Erika Council, and Jason Stanhope to look forward to throughout the weekend. 

Like the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen, the center point of the weekend will be the Grand Tasting Pavilion, where more than 100 winemakers, distillers, chefs, and purveyors will serve their goods.

During the weekend, Southern Living will also host the “Southern Living Lowcountry Tailgate at The Dunlin,” hosted by its editor-in-chief, Sid Evans. Here, guests can enjoy some Lowcountry traditions, an outstanding selection of BBQs, and some of the best cocktails around alongside pitmasters John Lewis, Rodney Scott, and Hector Garate and musical guest Boy Named Banjo. 

“The Southern Living Lowcountry Tailgate at Kiawah River will bring to life Charleston’s outdoor cooking traditions in a stunning location,” Evans said. “With award-winning chefs and pitmasters, an oyster roast, and a fantastic band, this will be a very fun night in the Lowcountry.”

In total, the programming includes more than 40 cooking demos, panels, and wine and spirits seminars with talent like Andrew Zimmern, Sean Brock, Alexander Smalls, Brooke Williamson, Erick Williams, Tamron Hall, CJ McCollum, Claudette Zepeda, Wanda Mann, and acclaimed local favorites Mike Lata, Miles White, Femi Oyediran, Bethany Heinze, and many more. 

But that’s not all. For the event, T+L’s own editor-in-chief, Jacqui Gifford, will host the “Shopping Guide to Charleston” and take guests on a shopping tour along Charleston’s King Street to explore all its chic boutiques and upscale shops.

“We’re thrilled to highlight the magic of Charleston that our readers have celebrated for years,” Gifford said. “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.”

Tickets for these additional special events are now available for sale to passholders. See the full lineup and start plotting out your weekend at foodandwineclassicincharleston.com.