"charlestonsouthcarolina" news and stories

Kris Furniss can pinpoint the exact moment he metamorphosed from Morgan Stanley money man to aspiring food world impresario. It was the week of 9/11. The Long Island bred boy had always loved food -- he confesses to reading Gourmet when he should have had his nose in the Wall Street Journal -- and was already looking for a career change. Furniss had worked in the Towers, and when they fell, he acted. Three days after the attack, he enrolled in culinary school. Today, Furniss owns and operates one of the Low Country's premier food retail boutiques with his wife Margaret in her native Charleston.

Read more about Kris Furniss and his South Carolina culinary creation after the jump.

Next week, the Charleston Food + Wine Festival kicks off its fourth annual event enhancing the city's culinary reputation. While tasting the various unique flavors of the South Carolina Lowcountry, guests will enjoy epicurean delights of the country's best chefs, authors and wine makers at more than 50 events throughout the weekend.

On March 6, Bobby Flay will host a Down South Charity Luncheon. Mario Monticelli, winemaker at Trinchero Napa Valley, hosts a seminary on the Napa Valley. There will be several pastry chefs, including François Payard, hosting events as well. In addition, there will be over a dozen chefs from Charleston. The Charleston Food + Wine Festival is a non-profit organization; its proceeds go towards raising charitable donations for the MUSC Children's Hospital and area culinary-related charities.

The festival begins on March 5th and ends on the 8th. Events are quickly being sold out. So, if you're interested, do not hesitate to purchase tickets for events on the festival's website.