Highlands Food and Wine Festival

Come hungry and excited for the weekend of a lifetime at the annual Highlands Food and Wine Festival. Located in Highlands, North Carolina, this 4-day event (November 9-12) welcomes festival-goers to enjoy a celebration of culinary delights. Enjoy good music, southern food from renowned chefs, and delectable wines, spirits, craft beers, and exciting alcohol-free beverages. 

With over 80 sponsors and 45 renowned chefs and restaurants, there will be something delectable for everyone. Expect drinks from first-class wineries and exceptional spirits. Partake of the local cuisine from restaurants like Oak Steakhouse Highlands with Chef Matt Weinstein, and The Dining Room at High Hampton with Scott Franqueza. Explore more dishes from the Lowcountry, such as Common Thread and The Farm, coming all the way from Savannah, GA and Bluffton, SC.

This event is actively raising funds for the Louis Osteen Legacy Scholarship. This scholarship was established in partnership with the Culinary Institute of America. This scholarship at CIA is specifically designed for students from the Highlands/Cashiers area who hope to follow Louis’ extraordinary culinary path. Louis Osteen, the James Beard award-winning chef, whose influential, South Carolina restaurants elevated the Southern cuisine we enjoy today, passed away in Highlands, NC in 2019. His influential work at the Pawley’s Island Inn, and later at the Charleston Grill, was the foundation of the restaurant scene in Charleston and throughout the South. While Louis had no formal culinary training, he was very connected to French cooking and applied those techniques to Southern cuisine. In addition, Louis loved guiding those working in his restaurants and coming up in the restaurant scene.

Please consider donating and helping the next generation of great chefs follow in Louis’ footsteps.

Signature Events: 

Thursday, November 9

Grand Tasting
7 pm – 10 pm
The Bascom: A Center for the Visual Arts
323 Franklin Rd, Highlands, NC 28741
$295 per person    

Guests can expect small plates from world-class chefs throughout the Southeast in Highlands Food & Wine kick-off event. Sample a variety of wines from around the world, craft cocktails and brews, and enjoy live music from the band Southern Avenue.

Friday, November 10 

Truckin’
1 pm – 4:30 pm
Kelsey-Hutchison Founders Park
411-499 Pine St, Highlands, NC 28741
$295 per person

Munch on dishes from innovative food trucks and vendors in Highlands afternoon funfest. Sip on Craft cocktails, while enjoying live music from southern band End of the Line, and New Jersey native Matt Koziol.

Saturday, November 11

Main Event
12 pm – 3:30 pm
Main Street, Highlands, NC 28741
$350 per person

Welcome to The Main Event, where foodies and wine lovers alike will gather to jam with Grace Potter and Katie Pruitt on Highlands’ iconic Main Street. Partake in the ultimate oyster roast, savor small plates by esteemed chefs, and enjoy craft cocktails, cold brews, and of course fantastic wines.

A Generous Pour
8 pm – 10 pm
Highlands Performing Arts Center
507 Chestnut St, Highlands, NC 28741
$500 per person

Guests will enjoy hosted beer, wine, spirits, and culinary surprises, all while supporting the Louis Osteen Legacy Scholarship at Culinary Institute of America. Expect live music from from revolutionary keyboard player, Chuck Leavell.

This is a seated event. Seating allocations to be determined prior to guest arrival.

Sunday, November 12

A Shot at Redemption
12 pm – 3 pm
Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park
411-499 Pine St, Highlands, NC 28741
$295 per person

Join A Shot at Redemption, Highlands Food & Wine take on Sunday brunch. Our famous Bloody Mary bar, flavorful bites, and spirits-lifting sounds by The Harlem Gospel Travelers opening for The War & Treaty. Wrap up your Highlands Food & Wine experience in one beautiful and delicious bow.

All-inclusive weekend tickets are $2100 per person. VIP Weekender tickets are $1600 per person. All tickets can be purchased HERE and include food, drinks and access to live music. 

* Additional fees and taxes apply with all tickets.