The Party: The 13th annual Charleston Wine + Food festival kicked off with its Pop Art themed Opening Night party. The event, held in Marion Square’s Culinary Village, featured more than 40 chefs from Charleston and around the state, alongside 11 beverage stations with plentiful wine and craft brew selections. The all-star chefs in attendance served up a bounty of small plates for guests to taste throughout the night—among countless others, Sean Brock and Travis Grimes of Husk and McCrady’s dished up their take on shrimp and hominy, Michelle Weaver of Charleston Grill offered an Anson Mills farro salad with pickled shrimp, and The Obstinate Daughter’s Jack Larson set up shop under the oyster tent with fresh bivalves ready for shucking. To keep spirits high, a swing band played under one tent, and an electric set from singer-songwriter Parker Millsap livened up the other. A true celebration of Holy City cuisine, the event was a smashing success where one thing was certain: no one went home hungry.
The Highlight: The evening’s signature drink from Mex1’s beverage director Morgan Hurley, winner of this year’s Cocktail Competition: Don Julio Reposado tequila, Aperol, Punt e Mes, pineapple juice, and mezcal spritz.
Overheard: A guest as she indulged in one of Heidi Vukov’s personal pecan pies: “Go big or go home, right?”
Beneficiary: Charleston Wine + Food & One80 Place Training
