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The Ultimate Critic's Dinner

click any of the photos below to start the slideshow

The BB&T Charleston Wine + Food Festival presented a night of absolute decadence at The Ultimate Critics Dinner on Fort Sumter on Wednesday, August 25.

Photographs by
Reese Moore
The evening kicked off with antelope sausage from Chef Marc Collins
Kelly Skely, Al and Marsha Scott, and Johnny Wallace
Fresh flowers and burlap runners decked tables on the ship to Fort Sumter.
Sylvia Jefferies and Paul O'Brien
Angel Peterson and Jimihatt
Mickey Bakst welcomed everyone aboard.
Angel Postell, Mickey Bakst, and Clint Sloan
Mickey Bakst and Ellen Gansen
Kevin and Helen Sughrue, Jean Hutchison, and Steve Riggs
The Beauregard was served on the ferry ride to Fort Sumter.
Helen and Burrow Hill
The Spirit of the Lowcountry escorted guests to Fort Sumter.
The first glimpse of the fort from the boat.
Gourmands stepped off the boat and were ushered into Fort Sumter for a magical evening.
Stunning weather and beautifully set tables welcomed partygoers.
Stunning weather and beautifully set tables welcomed partygoers.
Stunning weather and beautifully set tables welcomed partygoers.
Guests step through the doors of Fort Sumter.
Nell Postell with Arnold and Angel Postell.
A view of the fort.
Madelene and Daniel Lewis
Sparkling wine was served on the top of the fort as guests enjoyed the sweeping views and gourmet nibbles from Chef Mike Lata.
Sparkling wine was served on the top of the fort as guests enjoyed the sweeping views and gourmet nibbles from Chef Mike Lata.
Chef Mike Lata responds to an enthusiastic round of applause.
Chef Mike Lata responds to an enthusiastic round of applause.
Chef Mike Lata prepared pickled brown shrimp with vermillion snapper roe and heirloom peppers.
Chef Mike Lata prepared pickled brown shrimp with vermillion snapper roe and heirloom peppers.
Chef Mike Lata prepared pickled brown shrimp with vermillion snapper roe and heirloom peppers.
Everyone enjoyed the perfect weather and summer breeze.
Sallie Holder, Anne Marie and Jimmy Hagood, and Stacy Smallwood
Chef Marc Collins and Jimihatt
Brian Hicks and Robert Rosen
Tyler Ross entertained guests on the guitar.
Guests enjoyed an amazing four course meal.
Angel Postell offers a toast at her table as the first course is served.
Guests enjoyed an amazing four course meal.
Guests enjoyed an amazing four course meal.
Chef Jacques Larson presented Carolina rabbit with barley, Mepkin Abbey mushrooms, balsamic and black truffles.
Chef Jacques Larson presented Carolina rabbit with barley, Mepkin Abbey mushrooms, balsamic and black truffles.
Guests dined al fresco on the fort lawn.
Chef Jacques Larson introduces his dish.
Chef Ken Vedrinski hard at work on his deckle of Kobe beef.
Chef Ken Vedrinski hard at work on his deckle of Kobe beef.
Diners enjoyed an incredible sunset.
Zach Norris and Julie Montgomery
Each course was expertly paired with a red or white wine.
Chef Sean Brock served flounder head to tail with summer vegetables, hardtack, and salt pork.
Chef Ken Vedrinski served up lightly cured and smoked grilled deckle of Kobe beef with warm lobster, peanut potato salad, and Barolo vinaigrette
The Mary Boykin Chestnut Madiera Cocktail
The Mary Boykin Chestnut Madiera Cocktail
Chef Emily Cookson's sorghum trifle with fig preserves and chocolate
The chefs received a standing ovation.
The chefs received a standing ovation.
The chefs lift Charleston Wine + Food Festival's Randi Weinstein for a round of applause.
Guests returned to downtown Charleston via a nighttime cruise on the Spirit of the Lowcountry.
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