Foodies take note: Taste of Charleston event has been delayed until 2018. Here’s why

For the first time in 36 years, one of the Lowcountry’s biggest food events will not take place this fall.

The Taste of Charleston is being pushed to the fall of 2018, according to the Charleston Post and Courier.

Randall Goldman, chairman of the Greater Charleston Restaurant Association, which sponsors the event, said the change is due to the “reorganization” within the group.

Goldman told the Post and Courier that the organization decided to cancel this year’s event, because it is bringing in new members to represent a broader cross-section of Charleston’s food industry.

“We want to get some new folks with new energy,” Goldman told the newspaper. “We all feel we need to broaden the scope of the type of restaurants that are reflected.”

He also mentioned the influence from the food truck movement, which has recently spread to Beaufort County.

“They need a seat at the table,” Goldman said. “The association needs to be more reflective of the vast variety of the services we have to offer. We really want to take our time and look at the opportunities we are not taking advantage of.”

“Instead of just another food festival, let’s look at the type of festivals we have,” Goldman continued. “It’s important to get a new generation of food vendors at the table.”

In deciding not to sponsor a food festival this year, he said, “It gives us a chance to refresh our initiatives and what we are trying to do.”

Dozens of local restaurants participate in the annual event, and part of the proceeds are given to local charities. Last year, money raised went to The Ronald McDonald House, the Hollings Cancer Center, Shriners Hospital for Children and the Charleston County Schools Science Materials Resource Center, according to The Post and Courier.

Goldman told the newspaper that donations to the charities might be made up with proceeds from the Lowcountry Oyster Festival, which the association also sponsors and is still scheduled for January.

“We also want to make sure we are supporting charities that are supportive of our industry,” he said.

This story was originally published August 4, 2017 at 1:56 PM with the headline "Foodies take note: Taste of Charleston event has been delayed until 2018. Here’s why."