Charleston Wine + Food Festival saw a major change. The disappearance of the Grand Tasting Tent from the Culinary Village — the massive enclosed loop — was not taken well by attendees. This also figured prominently in many attendees’ complaints about the event’s value. The festival this year decided to station food by spreading exhibitors across Marion Square instead of stationing food and drink purveyors under a big top. The chefs distributed more than 500 small plates during their 75-minute long appearances. As there were no timed entries, it also freed up people and let them not think about how much they could drink in an allotted time.
Change not well received by the attendees
The Charleston Wine + Food Festival was a success, and the people who should be credited the most are the hard-working chefs, beverage makers, service professionals, and volunteers who ran themselves ragged over the course of stacked-up seminars, seated meals, and tastings. As the last night’s barbecue was being wound up, every food-and-beverage worker with a festival pass was exhausted. The change in the architecture of Culinary Village led to some problems, and the overall event was not that big a hit amongst the attendees.
The event is one of the most expensive gatherings and is sometimes counted under the bracket of obscenely costly events. The event’s price tag is often criticized as unreasonable. The festival is also criticized for its disregard for locals. When the event was new, locals were considered an important constituency. Events were held throughout the year to drum up excitement. But this year, the festival dinner organized to honor someone who has contributed to the city’s culinary scene was an invite-only, unpublicized affair. The festival did not have the familiar feel, especially for the Wine + Food festival.
Charleston Wine + Food Festival might be losing its essence
The event also left attendees feeling like that a church or nonprofit could have sponsored the same event and charged $15. And even amidst all of this, it would have been a very neat and meaningful way for the community to engage with chefs. Charleston Wine + Food have cracked down on fringe events like the unsanctioned Lambs & Clams. The festival started off on a low note, gained popularity, and after being announced as “official,” has lost the magic.
When it started off as Lambs & Clams, it involved tastes of Southern food and wine. Though this might not feel like an ideal example of an event, it was quite a hit among the locals. The event was a well conceptualized program and was hailed by attendees. It was one of those events that aimed at families and unapologetically delved deep into history, without the distraction of snacks or spirits.
But a lot has changed, and situations have taken a complete turn. The Culinary Village this year made clear is that the festival has mastered the basics of programming. There will be field trips, group feeds, and guest chef dinners that will be successful, but the price range will be for the elite. It might be time to explore a Piccolo Spoleto model, in which more affordable and more thoughtful events can coexist with Chicken Sh*t Bingo.
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