The Food & Wine Classic Is Coming to the East Coast in 2024

Food & Wine is launching its first-ever Food & Wine Classic in Charleston, South Carolina. And you’re invited.

That’s right: We said Charleston, South Carolina. This inaugural event, which builds on the incredible 40-year history of the celebrated Food & Wine Classic in Aspen, Colorado, is being presented by Explore Charleston in collaboration with our Dotdash Meredith sister brands, Southern Living and Travel + Leisure, and is set to take place between Friday, September 27 and Sunday, September 29, 2024. The event will showcase world-class chefs and local talent, wine and food tastings, seminars, and demonstrations, ensuring an educational and fun-packed weekend for all.

“I am excited to be partnering with my colleagues at Southern Living and Travel + Leisure to build on the storied legacy of the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen and introduce this singular experience in a new destination,” says Hunter Lewis, Food & Wine editor-in-chief. “No other place shares a blend of hospitality, foodways, culture, architecture, and history like the Holy City, and I can’t wait to see this dynamic new event come to life there next fall. A huge thank you to Charleston for welcoming us in a big way.”

Why Charleston? Well, how long do you have? This city has taken the number one spot in Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards as the Best City in the United States, as voted on by its readers, earning it a spot in Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards Hall of Fame. 

"Charleston has been voted the World's Best City in the United States by Travel + Leisure readers, year after year. And it's easy to see why,” says Jacqui Gifford, editor-in-chief of Travel + Leisure. “The cultural attractions, the boutique shopping, the ever-evolving restaurant scene: combine all that with the warmth and hospitality of the local community, and you have a home run of a destination. With the Food & Wine Classic in Charleston, I am thrilled that we can bring this dynamism to life over a magical long weekend of events, working alongside the editorial teams of Southern Living and Food & Wine. So come join us!" 

Enthusiasm for the destination is shared by all three brands. 

"I'm excited to celebrate the rich culture of Charleston and to highlight the people who bring it to life,” adds Sid Evans, the editor-in-chief of Southern Living. “We're also thrilled to use 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 as part of the Food & Wine Classic in Charleston." 

Tickets for the 2024 Food & Wine Classic in Charleston will go on sale this spring. Updates on festival programming, participating talent, travel information, and sponsorship opportunities can be found at foodandwineclassicincharleston.com.

"I am thrilled and honored that Charleston has been selected as the new Food & Wine Classic host community. Our collaboration with Food & Wine, Southern Living, and Travel + Leisure is a testament to our community's rich culinary tapestry and vibrant hospitality,” says Helen Hill, the chief executive officer of Explore Charleston. “This unique event will further elevate the Charleston area as America's premier food and beverage destination. I am immensely proud of what our community offers, and I eagerly await the unparalleled experience this event will bring to all who attend."

For those looking to build on the fun, Food & Wine will also be celebrating the 41st Food & Wine Classic in Aspen in 2024, which will take place from Friday, June 14 through Sunday, June 16. (Pro tip: check out the Food & Wine Faves list ahead of time!)