Charleston Food + Wine Festival Sponsor Kick-off
One of the things I love most about Charleston (besides the architecture, eclectic personalities, and Saturday morning trips to the farmer’s market for kettle korn) is the year-round festival atmosphere. One the more recent entries to entwine itself in the fabric of our city—Charleston Food + Wine Festival— is already gearing up for its third manifestation, set to take place February 28 - March 2, 2008.
Last Thursday, sponsors and supporters gathered at the Mills House to hear the latest news from the fledgling festival, which has made great strides in raising awareness of Charleston’s reputation for haute, regional, and sustainable cuisine.
A slick video with glorious footage of last year’s people and parties played amidst executive director Angel Postell and chairwoman Laura Hewitt’s welcoming remarks. Tickets are now on sale, so check the website for events and tickets: http://www.charlestonfoodandwine.com/
Festival organizers have decided to make Bubbles and Sweets, Charleston magazine’s signature event, a stand alone event on the Saturday night of the four-day festival, and they borrowed the tantalizing theme for last week’s event. For the 2008 festival, Charleston magazine will partner with the Arts Institute, and the event will feature a bevy of desserts from local and national pastry chefs as well as numerous labels of champagnes and sparkling wines.
Taking a literal cue from the theme, a bubble machine sent ephemeral soap suds ascending up Queen Street, outside the Mills House’s ballroom. While inside, trays featuring an interesting array of tasty morsels—from tarts to tortes—were spread around the ballroom. The alien-looking lemon curd pane cotta with a basil coulis and pomegrante topping held its ground amongst a sea of milk chocolate; the vividly-colored dessert elicited “oohs” and “ahhs” from the daring nibblers, many of whom went back for a second tasting.
Best,
Ida
