SAVOR THE FLAVORS AND HISTORY OF THE ANTEBELLUM SOUTH THIS FALL

The Inn at Middleton Place and Carolina FoodPros Invite Food Enthusiasts on a Culinary Journey through
Charleston’s Lowcountry

Charleston, S.C.

This fall, aficionados of food and history will journey to South Carolina’s Lowcountry for a weekend getaway of fine cuisine, charming elegance and splendor reminiscent of the Antebellum South. Presented by The Inn at Middleton Place and Carolina FoodPros, guests will enjoy a culinary adventure along Charleston’s Ashley River and its barrier islands. Tour dates are September 24, October 8 and October 22, 2005.

Through this culinary journey, guests of the inn will use all of their senses, especially their taste buds, discover the history behind the state’s heritage foods, which have been enjoyed for generations, and learn about plantation culture, artisan baking, wine making using native grapes, and the art of tea cultivation.

Local food expert and 10th generation South Carolinian, Amanda Dew Manning, will enlighten guests with stories of her childhood growing up on a farm, as well as share her knowledge about the region’s culinary world and its history.

Charleston’s culinary world is a eclectic collection of foods introduced by an assortment of ethnic groups, including the Native Americans, West Africans, English, French Huguenots and Germans—just to name a few. Its gastronomic history spans 300 years and melds the foods, spices and cooking methods of three continents.
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The behind the scenes tour begins at a favorite local bakery, Normandy Farms, renowned for its Key Lime Pies and other glutinous wonders. They will see, hear, smell and taste the art of artisan bread making. Normandy’s breads and rolls grace the tables of many of Charleston’s finest restaurants.
Next on tour will be Charleston’s award-winning winery, Irvin-House Vineyards, on Wadmalaw Island. Some of the first wine made in the new world was produced from the same varieties of grape that has won Irvin-House awards. At Irvin-House, guests will experience Southern hospitality at its finest, as well as taste real Southern wine—muscadine wine. Owners, Jim and Ann Irvin, will lead the party through the vineyards and explain what it took to convert the 48-acre property into a working winery while preserving its charm and character. In addition, they will enlighten guests with how they took this favorite Southern drink, and added a new spin to it for the modern palette. Guests will also enjoy tastings of the winery’s five labels: Tara Gold, Magnolia, Live Oak Reserve, Mullet Hall and Palmetto paired with some wonderful cheeses.
The final stop on the tour is the American Tea Plantation, home of the only tea grown in America and the official tea of the White House. At the tea plantation, guests will enjoy a tour of the grounds, see first-hand the unique way tea is grown, harvested, dried and prepared for shipment. Visitors will learn about the history of tea and enjoy a sampling of hot or iced beverages under the shade of huge old oaks.
Carolina FoodPros is listed in the 2005 Michelin Guide as one of the “Must Dos In Charleston.” It has been featured in Bon Appetit, Boston Herald, The Washington Times and Turner South’s Three Day Weekend. This culinary package offers food and wine enthusiasts a unique gastronomic weekend, allowing them to experience the region using all their senses to create lasting memories.

Tours run from 1-5 p.m. and cost is $140 per person. Guests will be picked up and dropped off at the inn. Advance payment required. Cancellation with less than three days prior to
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tour date will result in a loss of $15.00 per reservation. For reservations or for more information on accomodations, please contact The Inn at Middleton Place at 1-800-543-4774 or visit www.theinnatmiddletonplace.com

Located just outside of historic Charleston, South Carolina, The Inn at Middleton Place welcomes visitors to a feast for the senses and invites guests on a journey to explore and appreciate nature's beauty in this truly irreplaceable setting on 6000 acres. Just a short walk from Middleton Place National Historic Landmark - America's Oldest Landscaped Gardens - the inn provides a beautiful counterpoint to the 18th-century plantation.

As recipient of the American Institute of Architects highest award, The Inn at Middleton Place is a unique cluster of beautiful, bold geometric structures set among majestic oaks and tall pines on a bluff overlooking the Ashley River. Each of the Inn's 53 rooms – appointed with warm cypress paneling, handcrafted furniture, wood-burning fireplaces, and dramatic floor-to-ceiling windows - provides a sanctuary of comfort.

Located in historic downtown Charleston, Carolina FoodProsTM was founded in 2001 by 10th generation South Carolinian Amanda Dew Manning and Robert Manning as a division of the highly successful nutrition and food consulting business Amanda Dew Manning & Associates, Inc. A nationally known nutritionist and speaker, Amanda Dew Manning, M.S., M.P.A., has served two terms on the National Board of Directors of the American Institute of Wine and Food and is a member of the prestigious Les Dames d’Escoffier. She is active in the Southern Foodways Alliance, and is president of the SC Specialty Food Association. Robert Manning, M.B.A., business administrator and marketing specialist, works to ensure that Carolina FoodPros™ utilizes best business practices and provides outstanding customer service. For more information on Carolina FoodPros, please visit www.carolinafoodpros.com or call 843-723-3366.
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