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Al Roker Reigned Over the Culinary Village at Charleston Wine + Food

The unofficial king of Charleston for the weekend

Al Roker and Kathie Lee Gifford on the Today Show
Elizabeth Kushel/NBCUniversal
Erin Perkins is the editor of Eater Carolinas.

If you didn’t grab a selfie with Al Roker or Kathie Lee Gifford this past weekend, then you probably weren’t doing Charleston Wine + Food correctly. The Today Show hosts went live from Charleston on Friday, March 8, and Roker stayed around for several appearances in the Culinary Village in Marion Square.

During the fourth hour broadcast, Roker and Gifford chatted with Smoke BBQ chef Stefan DeArmon and Charleston Grill chef Michelle Weaver. DeArmon shared his inspiring story from homelessness to the kitchen and Weaver spread the good word about Lowcountry seafood. The Today Show personalities ate plenty of cornbread and shrimp and grits. Behind the scenes, Roker snacked on Rodney Scott’s BBQ for breakfast — Gifford had some pinot grigio (very on-brand).

The weekend was filled with lots of wine, a bit of food, a even more Roker. Here’s a few of the photos from inside the festival for those who couldn’t make it this year.