In collaboration with Chef Frank Lee and his team, BB&T Charleston Wine + Food will pay tribute to Southern Grand Dame Nathalie Dupree, cookbook author, writer and advocate, at a very special holiday pre-festival event at Slightly North of Broad on Wednesday, December 10 at 6:00 p.m. Nathalie Dupree is the founder of the New Southern Cooking movement, Founding Chairman of BB&T Charleston Wine + Food, and our Grand Dame of Southern Cuisine. She is an award-winning, nationally celebrated and bestselling cookbook author, biscuit maker, culinary instructor, TV host, home maker, mother, salon hostess, and so much more. Nathalie’s vivacious approach to style, food and the south weaves a web of culinary magic around our Holy City and beyond. As the former director of the Rich’s Cooking School in Atlanta and inspiration to numerous “chickens” in kitchens throughout the country, Nathalie deserves every celebration she gets (and brings). Participants paying tribute to Nathalie Dupree include: Chef Frank Lee, Slightly North of Broad, Chef Russ Moore, Slightly North of Broad, Chef Michelle Weaver, Charleston Grill, Pastry Chef Lauren Mitterer, WildFlour Pastry and special surprises. All of the proceeds from the event will benefit the festival’s scholarship programs at the College of Charleston, Art Institute of Charleston, and Culinary Institute of Charleston. A limited number of tickets are available to this 5-course tribute for $250 per person. Tables are available – to reserve, please contact nysa@cwf.obviouslee.com. Click here for full event details and to purchase tickets. If you are a Nathalie Dupree chicken, please make a special effort to join us for this merry occasion!

BB&T Charleston Wine + Food’s Mixology Competition is looking for the perfect cocktail to toast a decade of Charleston Wine + Food!  On Thursday, November 13th, join William Grant & Sons Brand Ambassador Host Charlotte Voisey as she reveals the details for the 2015 Official Festival Cocktail Mixology Competition along with Charleston Wine + Food Beverage Director Patrick Emerson. Local mixologists vying to create this year's winning cocktail and toast a decade of Charleston Wine + Food should join and learn about the competition. This year's theme, as well as competition rules, judging criteria and list of judges, will be announced. Don't miss this live session with advice and tips on how to submit a successful entry. Bartenders from bars and restaurants across Charleston County are invited to participate.

When: Thursday, November 13th from 1pm – 3pm Where: Upstairs @ Brasserie Gigi, N. Market Street What: Cocktails from the William Grant portfolio will be served as well as an informal lunch. Who: Local Mixologists in Charleston County – RSVP required to: sara@crossanddot.com

For cocktail lovers who simply want to join spirited competition during the festival can enjoy Iron Mixologist at the festival on Saturday, March 7, 2015 at 1:30 p.m. At 2015 Iron Mixologist, all finalists for the CHSWFF Official Cocktail will participate in a live multi-round competition hosted by William Grant & Sons Brand Ambassador Charlotte Voisey. Guests at this fun, happy hour-style event will get to sample cocktails from each participant. Tickets are $55 per person and available for purchase at http://cwf.obviouslee.com/events/iron-mixologist/

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BB&T Charleston Wine + Food is a non-profit that celebrates the renowned food culture of Charleston, SC during a five-day festival the first weekend of every March. With a local food culture rich in tradition, James Beard Award-winning chefs, and the best city to visit in the world according to Condé Nast Traveler’s 2014 Readers’ Choice Awards, the festival infuses home-grown flavor with top chefs, winemakers, authors, storytellers and food enthusiasts. Taste the decade of BB&T Charleston Wine + Food in 2015!