Friends of the Festival

Charleston Wine + Food is a catalyst for connections that inspire curiosity through thoughtful storytelling + meaningful experiences with a sense of place. Our Friends of the Festival not only champion our higher purpose as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, but also the Charleston culinary + hospitality community at large. 

Friends of the Festival receive early access to tickets before public on-sale, a personal concierge to handle all ticketing + festival needs, priority waitlist access to sold-out events, “Friends only” exclusive events, VIP treatment throughout the festival week, and a curated festival badge. Our Friends program is not only the most intimate way to experience Charleston Wine + Food, but also the perfect way to take your festival experience to the next level.

Benefits Include

Advance program + festival updates

Early access to purchase 2024 festival tickets

Ticket Stipend

Festival badge(s) with VIP access + expedited entry to select events

Friends of the Festival ticketing concierge

Priority waitlist for sold-out events

Split payment into two installments*

Access to private tables at select events**

Complimentary ticket(s) to exclusive pre-festival events**

Curated Festival Itineraries

2024 commemorative gift***

Tax deductibility****

MEMBERSHIP LEVELS + BENEFITS

  • TOP CHEF | $12,000

    COMPLIMENTARY ACCESS

    – Complimentary Premium Access For (2) Guests To Each Of The Following Signature Events:

    Pland + Pass access for (2) to Opening Night on Wednesday, March 6 | retails at $550/pair

    VIP Access for (2) to Culinary Village on Friday, March 8 – Sunday, March 10 | Retails at $1,770/pair for the 3-day event

    Pland + Pass access for (2) to The Finale on Sunday, March 10 | retails at $450/pair

     

    – Access To The Following Charleston Wine + Food Festival VIP Spaces + Exclusive Invitations: 

    Complimentary Access for (2) to Ticket Launch Kick-Off Happy Hour Thursday, October 28 | valued at $150/pair : Friends-only exclusive Happy Hour – This event includes a curated selection of cocktails + light snacks, alongside a portfolio of pours by Jeremy Carter of Tarpon Cellars. By invitation only.

    Complimentary Access for (2) to Friends of the Festival Winter Brunch valued at $290/pair

    Complimentary Access for (4) to Amuse Bouche: Party for our Partners Wednesday, March 6 | valued at $600/set

    Amuse Bouche: Party for our Partners is the ultimate kick-off party to Charleston Wine + Food’s 2024 Festival. This event includes curated food + beverage offerings, musical entertainment and celebrates our VIPs and sponsors.  By invitation only.

     

    – Ticket Stipend:

    $3,000 to attend any other CHSWF 2024 Festival events of your choice (at available capacities) – above and beyond the aforementioned opportunities.  .

    EXCLUSIVES

    Advance program + festival updates

    Name recognition on CHSWF website

    2024 Personalized VIP commemorative gift

    Ability to split membership payment into two installments

    Early access to purchase tickets to any off-season CHSWF experience

    20% discount on Charleston Wine + Food retail

     

    CONCIERGE

    Access to dedicated phone line and email for priority ticketing 

    Friends of the Festival Concierge on-site for festival week-of correspondence

    Personalized Festival Itinerary sent to your email

    Reserved and preferential seating at select events

    Highest level priority waitlist for sold-out events**

  • GRAND CRU | $8,500

    COMPLIMENTARY ACCESS

    – Complimentary Premium Access For (2) Guests To Each Of The Following Signature Events:

    General Admission access for (2) to Opening Night on Wednesday, March 6 | retails at $370/pair

    VIP Access for (2) to Culinary Village on Friday, March 8 – Sunday, March 10 | Retails at $1,770/pair for the 3-day event

     

    – Complimentary Access  For (2) To The Following Charleston Wine + Food Festival VIP Spaces + Exclusive Invitations: 

    Ticket Launch Kick-Off Happy Hour Thursday, October 28 | valued at $150/pair : Friends-only exclusive Happy Hour – This event includes a curated selection of cocktails + light snacks, alongside a portfolio of pours by Jeremy Carter of Tarpon Cellars. By invitation only.

    Friends of the Festival Winter Brunch valued at $290/pair

    Amuse Bouche: Party for our Partners Wednesday, March 6 | valued at $300/pair

    Amuse Bouche: Party for our Partners is the ultimate kick-off party to Charleston Wine + Food’s 2024 Festival. This event includes curated food + beverage offerings, musical entertainment and celebrates our VIPs and sponsors.  By invitation only.

     

    – Ticket Stipend:

    $2,125 to attend any other CHSWF 2024 Festival events of your choice (at available capacities) – above and beyond the aforementioned opportunities.  .

    EXCLUSIVES

    Advance program + festival updates

    Name recognition on CHSWF website

    2024 commemorative gift

    Ability to split membership payment into two installments

    Early access to purchase tickets to any off-season CHSWF experience

    20% discount on Charleston Wine + Food retail

     

    CONCIERGE

    Access to dedicated phone line and email for priority ticketing 

    Friends of the Festival Concierge on-site for festival week-of correspondence

    Personalized Festival Itinerary sent to your email

    Reserved and preferential seating at select events

    Priority waitlist for sold-out events**

  • FIVE STAR | $5,000

    COMPLIMENTARY ACCESS

    – Complimentary Premium Access For (1) Guest To Each Of The Following Signature Events:

    General Admission access for (1) to Opening Night on Wednesday, March 6 | retails at $185/ticket

    VIP Access for (1) to Culinary Village on Friday, March 8 – Sunday, March 10 | Retails at $885/ticket for the 3-day event

     

    – Complimentary Access  For (1) To The Following Charleston Wine + Food Festival VIP Spaces + Exclusive Invitations: 

    Ticket Launch Kick-Off Happy Hour Thursday, October 28 | valued at $75/ticket : Friends-only exclusive Happy Hour – This event includes a curated selection of cocktails + light snacks, alongside a portfolio of pours by Jeremy Carter of Tarpon Cellars. By invitation only.

    Friends of the Festival Winter Brunch valued at $145/ticket

    Amuse Bouche: Party for our Partners Wednesday, March 6 | valued at $150/ticket

    Amuse Bouche: Party for our Partners is the ultimate kick-off party to Charleston Wine + Food’s 2024 Festival. This event includes curated food + beverage offerings, musical entertainment and celebrates our VIPs and sponsors.  By invitation only.

     

    – Ticket Stipend:

    $1,250 to attend any other CHSWF 2024 Festival events of your choice (at available capacities) – above and beyond the aforementioned opportunities.  .

    EXCLUSIVES

    Advance program + festival updates

    Name recognition on CHSWF website

    2024 commemorative gift

    Ability to split membership payment into two installments

    Early access to purchase tickets to any off-season CHSWF experience

    20% discount on Charleston Wine + Food retail

     

    CONCIERGE

    Access to dedicated phone line and email for priority ticketing 

    Friends of the Festival Concierge on-site for festival week-of correspondence

    Personalized Festival Itinerary sent to your email

    Reserved and preferential seating at select events

    Priority waitlist for sold-out events**

  • EPICUREAN | $2,000

    COMPLIMENTARY ACCESS

    – Complimentary Premium Access For (1) Guests To:

    VIP Access for (2) to Culinary Village on Friday, March 8 – Sunday, March 10 | Retails at $885/ticket for the 3-day event

     

    – Complimentary Access  For (1) To The Following Charleston Wine + Food Festival VIP Spaces + Exclusive Invitations: 

    Ticket Launch Kick-Off Happy Hour Thursday, October 28 | valued at $75/ticket : Friends-only exclusive Happy Hour – This event includes a curated selection of cocktails + light snacks, alongside a portfolio of pours by Jeremy Carter of Tarpon Cellars. By invitation only.

    Friends of the Festival Winter Brunch valued at $145/ticket

    Amuse Bouche: Party for our Partners Wednesday, March 6 | valued at $150/ticket

    Amuse Bouche: Party for our Partners is the ultimate kick-off party to Charleston Wine + Food’s 2024 Festival. This event includes curated food + beverage offerings, musical entertainment and celebrates our VIPs and sponsors.  By invitation only.

     

    – Ticket Stipend:

    $200 to attend any other CHSWF 2024 Festival events of your choice (at available capacities) – above and beyond the aforementioned opportunities.  .

    EXCLUSIVES

    Advance program + festival updates

    Name recognition on CHSWF website

    2024 commemorative gift

    Ability to split membership payment into two installments

    Early access to purchase tickets to any off-season CHSWF experience

    20% discount on Charleston Wine + Food retail

     

    CONCIERGE

    Access to dedicated phone line and email for priority ticketing 

    Friends of the Festival Concierge on-site for festival week-of correspondence

    Personalized Festival Itinerary sent to your email

    Reserved and preferential seating at select events

    Priority waitlist for sold-out events**

Our Friends of the Festival support both Charleston Wine + Food and the industries that define + connect our community. We would love for you to join our CHSWF family and look forward to creating meaningful connections through shared stories + experiences in 2024 and beyond.

Become a Friend of the Festival

Ready to take your festival experience to the next level?

Enroll Today

*Option to split payment if enrolled by 5:00 PM Friday, September 29
**At select giving levels
***If enrolled by December 1, 2023
****We recommend contacting your financial advisor regarding the tax deductibility of your membership

OUR 2024 FRIENDS OF THE FESTIVAL

TOP CHEF

Chip & Ginny Hoover
Marie & Westin Lord
David Hudson

GRAND CRU

Claudia & Timothy Bellars
Timothy & Jessica Canning
Peter Key & Katy Chung
James & Cathy Streetman
Ken & Anne Tidwell
Paul & Jacqueline DePalma
David & Rachel Rhodes
Toni & Fred Dering
Dennis McGill & Tim Wilmott
Larry & Sarah Watts
David & Christine Stuhlmiller
Lee & Susan Richardson
Allan Soto & Ursula Kadadu
William Hewitt & Karyn Lee
Kevin Shoemaker
Jared & Emilie McKinnon
Lynsey & Michael Jones

FIVE STAR

Tim Reynolds
Kacie Highsmith
Shirin Ahmed-Shariff
Melany Kahn
Jessica & Lance Liebhaber
Quiana Scotland
Loren Beadle
Odessa Spraggins
Mosmi Naik-Patel
Elizabeth Baker
Richard Woodall
Desire Vincent-Levy

EPICUREAN

Mai-Trinh Pham
Karen Willis
Ian Pesses
Elaine Sherard
Richard McGregor
David Marconi
Jennifer Ransbottom
Casey Walker
Daniel Steinberg
Andy Horwitz
Randall Sandin