The Charlotte tent at last year’s Charleston Wine + Food festival. Photo courtesy.

Charlotte’s tourism group, the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority, started amping up its promotion of the city as a culinary destination last year. They brought a large group of local chefs and mixologists to last year’s Charleston Wine + Food festival, providing cooking demos and tastings in a Charlotte tent and interacting with visitors. CRVA also orchestrated a dinner at the James Beard House in New York City to highlight local talent.

Last year’s visit to Charleston was so well received, CRVA is repeating the effort. An invitation-only send-off event will take place at Sophia’s Lounge here in Charlotte on March 4; Charleston’s food festival runs March 6 through 10th. CRVA will also host a media/influencer brunch in Charleston.

Here’s the schedule of appearances for Charlotte’s tent, which will include demonstrations, local goods, and some face time with the chefs:

Friday, March 8
Noon: Thomas Marlow, Mimosa Grill
1:45 p.m.: Robert Hoffman & Henry Schmulling, Angeline’s and Merchant & Trade
3:30 p.m.: Miranda Brown, The Asbury

Saturday, March 9
Noon: Shai Fargian, Yafo Kitchen
1:45 p.m.: Michael Rayfield & John Marino, The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery
3:30 p.m.: Greg Collier, The Yolk and Loft & Cellar

Sunday, March 10
Noon: Zhang Qian and John Nisbet, The Dumpling Lady
1:45 p.m.: Mike Noll and Amanda Britton, Bardo
3:30 p.m.: Whitney Thomas, 5Church Charlotte

Also taking part in the festival are Amy Fortes of The Flipside Café, Troy Gagliardo from Bottle Cap Group, Joe Kindred of Kindred and Hello, Sailor, Jamie Lynch of 5Church, Bruce Moffett of Moffett Restaurant Group, and Paul Verica of The Stanley. Bartender Bob Peters will be popping up at 5Church Charleston on Thursday, March 7.

Tickets to the festival can be purchased here. —Kristen Wile