Kahja interviews Alyssa Maute Smith
It's time for Season 6, and we're kicking things off in Charleston, South Carolina at the Charleston Wine and Food Festival with Executive Director Alyssa Maute Smith! Held annually in March, CHSWF has become one of the preeminent food festivals in the country, with its week-long celebration of all things, culinary, culture, and community!
This week, Kahja talks with Alyssa about her Carolina upbringing and the responsibility of showcasing the best of her hometown, the rigors of event management, Charleston's growing designation as a multi-ethnic culinary destination, leveraging the power of teamwork to prioritize the visitor experience, and the excitement of looking forward to celebrating the festival's 20th celebration in 2026!
Recorded on location in Charleston, SC.
Learn more about Charleston Wine & Food Festival!
Follow Charleston Wine & Food on IG @chswineandfood!
Check out my Substack review of North Charleston's King BBQ, named one of Bon Appétit’s Best New Restaurants of 2024!
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Intro music by Diff Works