The 2013 Charleston Wine and Food Festival is months away, but the fun starts Aug. 30 with the Ticket Launch and Benefit Party at the Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina. 

The party will give a sample of what’s in store during the Feb. 28-March 3 festival, which celebrates Charleston as a great city with a rich tradition of great food.

Featured chefs and providers at the party include: Ken Vendrinski of Trattoria Lucca; Graham Dailey of Peninsula Grill; Gerry Elliott of Grill 225; Frank Lee of Slightly North of Broad; Josh Woodruff of Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina; Marc Collins of Circa 1886; Nico Romo of Fish; Travis Grimes of Husk; Jack and Rachel Byrne of Charleston Crepe Company; Dan Doyle of Poogan’s Porch; John Ondo of Lana; Rick Aquis of Smoky Oak Tap Room; Billy Quinn of JB’s Smoke Shack; Kristin Kuhlke of Cupcake; and Emile DeFelice of Caw Caw Creek Farm in St. Matthews.

The Labor Day weekend activities continue with a Local Catch Cookout 7-10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1, at the Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina Lookout Pavilion.

Some of the seafood will be brought in during a Friday fishing trip by a group of local and guest chefs, and some will be provided by Clammer Dave, a Charleston clam and oyster farmer, and Mark Marhefka of Abundant Seafood. 

Featured chefs at the cookout will be Jeremiah Bacon of The Macintosh; Sean Brock of Husk and McCrady’s; Mike Lata of FIG; Frank Lee of Slightly North of Broad; and Drew Hedlund of Fleet Landing. Guest chef will be George Mendes of Aldea of New York City.

Tickets for the Thursday night party are $40, and tickets for the Saturday night cookout are $75. A combination ticket is $100.