Hilton Head Seafood Festival kicks off this week: What you need to know for 9 events

By Lisa Wilson

Updated February 22, 2018 11:18 AM

Mark your calendars: The Hilton Head Island Seafood Festival is less than two weeks away.

The 11th annual event, which highlights Lowcountry cuisine and culture while raising money for charity through the David M. Carmines Memorial Foundation, is scheduled for Feb. 19-25 at venues on Hilton Head and in Bluffton. More than 5,000 people attended the main event last year, making it one of the biggest festivals on the island.

The festival’s website notes that all events are rain or shine.

One event, the Seafood, Champagne and Gullah Sunday Brunch from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 25, at Hudson’s Seafood on the Docks, is already sold out. Several other events have limited seats available.

Below is the schedule for the rest of the lineup. Tickets are available at hiltonheadseafoodfestival.com unless otherwise noted.

Lowcountry Seafood Experience on the Water

A two-hour excursion includes shrimping, oystering, clamming and crabbing with Lowcountry fishermen Christopher and Matthew Shoemaker. Afterward, guests will dine on their catch at Hudson’s.

When: 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 19 and 2 p.m. Feb. 22; times may vary because of tide conditions

Where: Hudson’s Seafood on the Docks

How much: $69 per person

Tickets: Call Christopher at (843) 304-2878 for a reservation

A Day Afield: An afternoon with gun or rod, followed by an evening with chef, farmer and family

The afternoon’s shooting and fishing culminates in a four-course, family-style dinner by Chef Clayton Rollison of Lucky Rooster Kitchen and Bar and Johnathan Buck of Husk. Cocktail hour before dinner features a dog demonstration.

When: 1 to 9 p.m. Monday, Feb. 19

Where: Turkey Hill Plantation in Ridgeland

How much: $375 for competitors in the sporting clays tournament; $265 for fly fishing instruction or shooting instruction and casual skeet shooting; $165 for observers

Tickets: Call (843) 384-6410

Named Best Chef: South by the @beardfoundation Chef Ryan Prewitt @pechenola joins our Celebrity Chef Tour on February 22nd Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort. "New Orleans super chef" brings his incredible talents to the multi-course dinner which showcases some of the country's most talented Chefs and winemakers. Learn more and purchase tickets with link in bio. Hurry! They are going fast! @omnihotels #foodlover #seafood #hhiseafoodfestival

A post shared by Hilton Head Seafood Festival (@hhiseafoodfest) on Jan 28, 2018 at 3:28am PST

Culinary demonstrations and master class

Chef Ryan Ryan Prewitt of Peche in New Orleans will demonstrate how to make Roasted Cobia in a Taylor Clam Broth from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Chef Martin Rios of Restaurant Martín, in Santa Fe, New Mexico, will prepare Tandori Spiced Yellow Fin Tuna with Duck Fat Roasted Young Carrots, Carrot-Coconut Puree and Broccoli Crisp from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. A cookbook signing will follow.

Chef Lee Lucier and Executive Chef Scott Bodkin of the South Carolina Yacht Club will demonstrate two styles of seafood burgers from 2 to 3:30 p.m.

When: 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22

Where: South Carolina Yacht Club

How much: $99 for all three classes or $39 for each individual class

Pitmaster 101

Learn techniques from guest pitmasters and get a preview taste of the Pig Pickin’ and Oyster Roast.

When: 4:30 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22

Where: Waddell Mariculture Center

How much: $39

James Beard Foundation’s Celebrity Chef Tour Dinner

This multi-course dinner with wine pairings features a diverse group of James Beard Foundation Award winners.

When: 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22

Where: Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort

How much: $175 general admission

Sip and Shop Presented by Tanger Outlets

Shop for spring fashions and enjoy a cooking demo by Chef Kenny Gilbert of “Top Chef,” light bites and a souvenir tasting glass. Participants must be 21 or older.

When: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23

Where: Tanger Outlets

How much: $29; guests receive a $10 gift card

Want to know the secret ingredient to the perfect Valentine's Day gift? Tickets to this year's Hilton Head Island Seafood Festival. Choose from our @beardfoundation Celebrity Chef Tour Dinner to Pig Pickin' & Oyster Roast, Sunday Brunch or our epic Saturday Seafood Festival. You cannot go wrong with one or all. #sharethelove #hhiseafoodfestival #valentinesday

A post shared by Hilton Head Seafood Festival (@hhiseafoodfest) on Jan 15, 2018 at 5:27am PST

Pig Pickin’ and Oyster Roast

A quintessential, Lowcounty family-style culinary celebration with chefs and pitmasters preparing local shrimp, whole hogs, whole chickens, chopped barbecue and sides. Add in brews, wines, signature cocktails and live music.

When: 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23

Where: Waddell Mariculture Center

How much: $69

Hilton Head Island Seafood Festival

This family-friendly headlining event features more than 25 restaurants, food trucks and culinary vendors, cooking demonstrations, an expanded Kids Zone, a silent auction and artisan vendors. Deas-Guyz are on stage from noon to 4 p.m.

When: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24

Where: Historic Honey Horn Plantation

How much: $8 general admission and free for children age 10 and under; combo packs and VIP Lounge tickets available

Lisa Wilson: 843-706-8103, @lisawilsonIPBG

This story was originally published February 7, 2018 at 2:31 PM with the headline "Hilton Head Seafood Festival kicks off this week: What you need to know for 9 events."