Charleston Wine + Food Festival 2016

A weekend full of the most delicious food, fabulous cocktails, and good company, all in the heart of downtown Charleston, I'm talking about the Charleston Wine + Food Festival! There were tons of events that took place during the festival, however my weekend was well spent at the Culinary Village, and I have no complaints. There was an Artisan Market for a one-stop-taste-and-shop, a hands on kitchen, there were earth, air, land, and sea booths with amazing bites from some of the finest chefs around, a rose garden with sophisticated sips accompanied by snacks straight off the grill, a cigar lounge for those who needed a smoke break, and a beer garden satisfying all of your craft beer needs. I spent two days exploring the Culinary Village and I still wasn't able to sample it all. 

I sampled a selection of dry aged delicacies from Volpi. This meat board was just begging to sit alongside a few hunks of cheese and a glass of wine. I returned to this booth multiple times.

 

Twisted Pretzel Wheat, one of my new favorite special edition beers from Shocktop, and they dipped the rim in chocolate...enough said!

Creamy and sweet on the inside, with a semi-soft outside, and a splash of sprinkles, I wish you could taste this strawberry-pistahio macaron! I will be spending the next few days trying to figure out where and how I can get another one of these sweet treats!

Another one of my favorite samplings from the festival was this Carolina Bison Carpaccio from Chef Duane Fernandes of Isa's Bistro, in Asheville, NC. Packed full of flavor with hints of garlic and seat salt, this carpaccio was seriously one of the best ones I've ever had. 

How adorable are these mini ice cream cones?! They were filled with creamy goodness from Republic Ice Cream. I went with the chocolate, chocolate chip!

 

The grilling situation outside was pretty impressive. 

 

And for a little peak at what was taking place inside the Artisan Market...

Part of my time was also spent supporting our booth!

After an awesome day embracing all that the Culinary Village had to offer, the gates began to close, and we decided to continue the festivities.  

Until next year! 

Cheers!