Undiscovered Charleston: Half Day Food, Wine & History Tour with Cooking Class
Overview
Available languages
4 hours
Mobile ticket
Charleston's only chef led historic walking tour, cooking demonstration and lunch! Our experience begins with a 90 minute food history walking tour in the historic district, followed by a cooking demonstration, lunch & paired wine tasting at the popular local's spot Bistro a Vin. It's led by Charleston's only South Carolina Chef Ambassador & Palmetto Guild Certified tour guide, Forrest Parker. Leading the teams at some of Charleston's most iconic restaurants, Parker has been called a "visionary who calls upon the culture, history & flavor traditions of South Carolina to create heritage-infused experiences." Parker was recognized by then Governor Nikki Haley as a S.C. Chef Ambassador in 2016, a capstone for a culinary career that began in 1995.
Chef Forrest invites you to take the path less traveled; to see, touch, sip and taste the Undiscovered Charleston!
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Guests must be 21 or older, with the exception of older teenagers accompanying parents
FOOD ALLERGIES! I regulary cook, handle, prepare and serve meats, shellfish, eggs, dairy, nuts and gluten. That said, if you require reasonable accommodation of any food allergies, aversions or special diets: most common special diets etc. can be accommodated, provided I'm aware in advance. Vegetarians, vegans, pescatarians, dairy allergies, nut allergies & celiacs are all welcome, provided I'm aware in advance. I'm not a restaurant and if I'm not aware in advance I will not be prepared. If you are requesting reasonable accommodation, I STRONGLY URGE YOU TO MESSAGE ME DIRECTLY.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Charleston's acclaimed Chef Forrest Parker guides you along an undiscovered path where food and history meet on in historic Charleston, distilling 400 years into a walking tour experience culminating with a cooking demonstration and three course tasting of the iconic flavors of the South Carolina Lowcountry. Chef Forrest leads you on a 90 minute walking tour unlike any other in the city, as the only certified chef tour guide, exploring the complicated history of the Holy City and the culinary influences that shaped Charleston into one of the world's top food destinations. You'll visit the not-to be missed sights, but also the lesser known and understood locations where, for example, an enslaved chef created a recipe that still helps define local menus. The tour concludes at a cozy bistro where you relax while Chef Forrest demonstrates how to prepare the recipes he wrote interpreting definitive Lowcountry classics, and prepared using techniques he mastered over two decades. You'll enjoy a lunch with each of those courses carefully paired with wine, and then take his recipes home with you as our gift to you.
Sample Menu
main
Lunch
Tours conclude at a cozy bistro where Chef Forrest demonstrates how to prepare Lowcountry classics. Enjoy a lunch carefully paired with wine.
What‘s Included
For those who do not wish to have wine, Charleston sweet tea and filtered water will be available.
Each guest will leave with copies of Chef Forrest's recipes.
Cooking Demonstration by Chef Forrest Parker
90-minute walking tour of Charleston's historic district
Bistro Au Vin provides wine tasting pours paired with Chef Forrest's recipes. (Additional wine available for purchase on consumption.)
Chef Forrest will demonstrate how to prepare three of his recipes with heritage Lowcountry ingredients then serve you lunch with carefully curated wine pairings from Bistro a Vin.
Gratuities
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Undiscovered Charleston: Half Day Food, Wine & History Tour with Cooking Class
Reviews
955 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
The best tour ever!
N971UTlisac,,Feb 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Chef Forrest gave us a wonderful, detailed tour of Charleston, highlighting the beautiful buildings and the culinary history behind each of our stops. The way he tied the places we visited to the history and food of Charleston was factual, funny and interesting. And THEN having one of the best meals of my life (and I’ve eaten at a lot of Michelin restaurants from around the world) cooked in front of me, paired with really great wine, was just tops! Our group had 8 people and it was also fun getting to know each other and finding out where we were visiting from (all over the US in this case). This was absolutely the highlight of our trip and I would strongly recommend it to anyone that loves walking around a beautiful city with lots of history and delicious food.
Food in Charleston tour with a professional chef. Very informative and tasty too!
263thadh,,Feb 18, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Awesome food tour…highly recommend!
Chef’s Tour & Lunch was highlight of our trip!
Mark P,,Feb 16, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Chef Forrest has created a perfect blend of Charleston History lesson/tour, and wonderful culinary experience. He is very knowledgable and the food and wine pairings were exceptional.
Great tour and better food
wesb767,,Feb 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We did 4 tours while in Charleston and while they were all good, this was our favorite! The history was great and the food was amazing!
Wow!!
David P,,Jan 31, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Wow this was one of the best tours we have experienced. From start to finish was a wonderful walking history tour followed by one of the best meals you could ask for on a food tour. Simply the best thing we could have done in Charleston.
Unique History and Exceptional Culinary Experience in Charleston!
Kathleen L,,Jan 25, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00What an amazing way to learn about the history of Charleston and enjoy an amazing culinary experience! Chef Forrest is knowledgeable, personable and a seasoned Chef! Best dessert we ever had! This tour is a “must do” when visiting Charleston! 5 ⭐️
This is the one tour experience to take...you will not be disappointed.
Linda H,,Jan 23, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00History, humor, culture, gastronomy...Chef Forrest Parker has it all for you in this fabulous walking tour with lunch & wine! Easily our top experience in Charleston.
Informative, interesting and a great time.
Wayne E,,Dec 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We went on this walking food tour with Chef Forrest Parker on December 12. He started the tour at the Pineapple Fountain and gave us a very detailed description of the food and history of Charleston,SC. As he took us thru the historic district we were shown many historic houses and sites within the district and how the food culture became so diverse and unique to the area. As we made our way thru the district we end up at what Chef Forrest called the shop and there he prepared us a delicious three course meal paired with wine. He was very interactive with everyone as he prepared the meal. He made everyone feel at home and part of the conversation. As Chef made it a point that his main focus was to make sure all left a bit tipsy and full from the meal. Definitely a tour we will do again.
WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE!
Meander311995,,Dec 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We often plan our vacations around meals and have been to many upscale restaurants, hands down this was one of the best meals we’ve had! Chef Forrest is very knowledgeable and we learned a tremendous amount of information about the city of Charleston. Chef Forrest is a highly talented chef, I only wish I could replicate his amazing food! Best authentic shrimp and grits ever! Do not hesitate!!
Informative and Yummy
Shari J,,Dec 9, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This was a fun activity with a nice historic walk and a yummy lunch! Chef Forrest was very entertaining with lots of great information.
From US$250.00
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