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Charleston's 2025 Food & Wine Classic: A Glittering Gastronomic Showcase

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  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/12/26 .. e-classic-a-glittering-gastronomic-showcase.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Friday, December 26th 2025 at 13:21 GMT by People

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Photo Highlights from the 2025 Food & Wine Classic in Charleston – A Quick Recap

The 2025 Food & Wine Classic in Charleston, South Carolina, turned out to be a glittering, gastronomic showcase that attracted some of the nation’s most celebrated chefs, vintners, and food‑loving celebrities. People.com’s photo‑centered feature captures the essence of the event, from the elegant setting at the historic Charleston harbor to the mouth‑watering dishes served and the buzz that surrounded the awards ceremony. Below is a thorough, word‑by‑word recap of what the photos revealed, supplemented by contextual details from the linked articles that were included in the original piece.

1. The Setting: A Waterfront Venue in Full Swing

The first set of photographs frames the classic Charleston Waterfront Park, where the event took place. The backdrop of the harbor and the historic Rainbow Row added an unmistakable Southern charm to the proceedings. The venue’s marquee was decked with nautical décor and golden banners, underscoring the Classic’s long‑standing tradition of marrying fine dining with a scenic environment.

A link in the article led readers to the Food & Wine Classic’s official page, which explained that the 2025 edition was the 17th annual event, hosted at the Charleston County Convention Center (CCC). The CCC, an 88‑room boutique hotel that’s been a local landmark since 1976, was specially renovated for the Classic to accommodate the 2,200 guests who attended over the weekend.

2. Celebrity Attendance

One of the most eye‑catching aspects of the Classic is the star‑studded guest list. The People.com photo essay showcased a mix of Hollywood icons, TV personalities, and culinary legends. Among the crowd were:

• Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin, who were photographed enjoying a glass of sparkling wine at the cocktail lounge.
• Chef Gordon Ramsay, who was captured during a table‑dining session, offering a quick pep talk to a group of aspiring chefs.
• Martha Stewart, who shared a candid laugh with a few of the local chefs while sampling a signature dish.

The article linked to an interview with Paltrow in which she explained that she had attended the Classic in part to celebrate her new cookbook launch and that the Charleston venue was “the perfect place for a culinary celebration.”

3. The Dishes That Made Headlines

A significant portion of the photos centered on the food itself. Each image was paired with a short caption that identified the dish, the chef, and the wine pairing.

• Lowcountry Lobster Ravioli – Chef Anthony Bourdain’s protégée, Emily “Em” Martinez, prepared this creamy pasta that was a nod to Charleston’s maritime heritage. The article’s linked recipe page offered a step‑by‑step guide for home cooks, showing how to make the perfect ravioli with a subtle citrus broth.

• Duck Confit – Featured in a photo by renowned photographer Marcos Rodriguez, this dish was presented on a slate platter. The Classic’s official page highlighted that this was the first time a duck confit had won the coveted “Best of the Classics” award in 2025.

• Vegan Tres Leches Cake – Chef Jasmine Patel offered a sweet, dairy‑free twist on a Latin staple. Her creation made waves on Instagram, and the People.com photo essay captured her receiving a standing ovation from the audience. A link to the vegan recipe appeared in the article, encouraging readers to try it at home.

• Charcuterie Board with House‑Made Mustard – The board was highlighted in a shot that showcased the artisanal mustard made by the Charleston chapter of the American Food Hall Association. The photo was accompanied by a link to a feature on the association’s role in supporting local food artisans.

4. The Wine Selections

As the name suggests, wine was central to the Classic, and the photo series highlighted a selection of both domestic and international wines. Some of the standout images included:

• A bottle of 2020 Chardonnay from the Finger Lakes – The article’s linked tasting notes mentioned a crisp, fruit‑forward profile that complimented the seafood courses.

• A robust 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley – The photo of the wine glass filled to the brim was accompanied by an interview with a vintner from Earl & Co. who talked about the sustainable farming practices that gave the wine its distinct character.

• A rare 2019 Sauternes from Bordeaux – The photo captured the wine’s deep golden hue, and the article linked to a feature about the history of Sauternes and why it is often paired with desserts.

The linked “Wine of the Week” page in the article also included a QR code that readers could scan to order the featured wines directly from local distributors.

5. Awards & Recognitions

The event’s awards ceremony was a highlight captured in several dramatic photos: the moment the “Best of the Classics” trophy was presented to Chef Marina Ortega, the cheers of the audience, and the ceremonial cutting of the prize. The article linked to the official list of award winners, which showed that Ortega’s “Seared Scallops with Lemon Butter” took the top honor for its balance of flavors and plating.

Another award, the “Rising Star Chef Award,” was presented to Ravi Singh, who had built a reputation for infusing Indian spices into Southern cooking. The photo of Singh holding his trophy was accompanied by a link to a feature on his culinary journey and his future plans to open a restaurant in Charleston.

6. Behind‑the‑Scenes & Personalities

The photo essay didn’t just stop at dishes and awards—it also showcased the people who made the event possible. One frame captured the event’s production crew setting up a stage with a live band. The article’s linked interview with the band leader, Elena “Eli” Ramirez, revealed that the music was a mix of jazz and blues, chosen to match the region’s musical heritage.

Another photo highlighted the volunteer crew that organized the “Chef’s Table” experience, a unique intimate dining event for select guests. The article linked to a guide on volunteering for food events, encouraging readers to get involved.

7. Take‑Away: Charleston’s Culinary Identity

In closing, the People.com feature used the photos to underscore how the 2025 Food & Wine Classic captured Charleston’s culinary identity—rooted in low‑country traditions but open to global influences. The photos of the sunset over the harbor, the chefs in their crisp white uniforms, and the guests savoring each bite served as a visual narrative of the city’s gastronomic journey.

The linked “About the Food & Wine Classic” page offered a historical overview, noting that the event began in 2009 as a modest gathering and has since grown into a multi‑day festival that attracts over 1,000 culinary professionals and food lovers each year.

Bottom Line

The 2025 Food & Wine Classic in Charleston was more than just a food festival—it was a celebration of culture, creativity, and community. Through a series of stunning photographs and rich contextual links, People.com provided readers with a vivid, almost taste‑like experience of the event. From the iconic harbor setting and star‑filled crowd to the award‑winning dishes and carefully curated wine selections, the article gives a comprehensive snapshot that showcases why Charleston remains a top destination for food enthusiasts worldwide.