Chefs vs. Somms Showdown in Charleston

Blind tasting with a pairing battle

Chefs vs. Somms Showdown: Who Has a Better Palate? is built as an interactive blind tasting beverage seminar and food-and-wine pairing competition. The central format is direct: chefs and sommeliers compete on pairings, while guests are invited to taste and compare the combinations. The program is part of the 2026 Food & Wine Classic in Charleston, so access is handled through the festival rather than as a separate standalone event.

The competition is described as a fast-paced food-and-wine pairing battle between prominent chefs and master and advanced sommeliers.

Presenters on the program

The presenter roster includes Chris Shepherd, Ray Isle, Justin Pichetrungsi, June Rodil, Sarah Thomas, Frank Stitt, and Marie Stitt. Ray Isle is also identified as presenter and moderator. Additional presenter affiliations listed for the program include Southern Smoke Foundation for Chris Shepherd, Food & Wine for Ray Isle, Anajak Thai for Justin Pichetrungsi, Goodnight Hospitality for June Rodil, Kalamata's Kitchen for Sarah Thomas, Highlands Bar and Grill / Bottega for Frank Stitt, and Bottega / Highlands Bar and Grill for Marie Stitt.

Place, timing, and access

The seminar takes place at Emeline, a hotel in Charleston. The address listed for the event and venue is 181 Church St, Charleston, SC 29401. It is scheduled for Saturday, November 14, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM EST, with the database timing also placing the event within a one-hour window that day.

Seminar selection is included with a Classic Pass, and the seminar is listed as a selectable option with that pass rather than as an individual standalone ticket. The organizer is the appropriate source for registration details and availability.