The Southern Women’s Show is bringing a lineup of culinary talent and features to Charlotte. Guests can savor food and drink samples, watch chefs battle it out in kitchen combat, discover new recipes and techniques and learn from live cooking demonstrations. The show takes place in the Charlotte Convention Center Aug. 28-30.

“Foodies of all sorts can find new flavors and ideas at the Southern Women’s Show,” said Tish Atkins, executive show manager. “Whether you’re a busy mom looking for easy, creative ways to feed your family or an adventurous eater looking for the latest trends, you’ll find it here.”

Headlining the weekend’s culinary entertainment is a series of events on the Food Lion Chef Challenge Stage.These demos are designed to provide easy, fresh meal ideas for busy moms on a budget. Attendees can experience:

• Chopped Challenges: Chefs will go head-to-head in the kitchen during this interactive cooking competition. Audience members will choose items from a pantry of Food Lion brand items to challenge chefs to create a satisfying meal on a budget and under pressure.The kitchen drama happens at various times throughout the weekend.

• Howard Rosenthal, a.k.a. Mr. Food: The no-nonsense host and COO of the Mr. Food Test Kitchen joins the Chopped Challenge on Friday, Aug. 28, at 2:30 p.m.

• The Recipe Box: Scheduled throughout the weekend chefs will demonstrate their favorite easy, fresh and affordable recipes while showing guests how to prepare delicious meals with seasonal ingredients. Plus, they will share tips and techniques from their own restaurant kitchens.

• The Taste Challenge: It’s Food Lion brand vs. national brands ongoing throughout the weekend. Guests can compare a variety of Food Lion products to their national brand counterparts and cast their vote for their favorites.

• Frugal Cook-Off: Select Charlotte-area bloggers will be invited to take part in the Food Lion Frugal Cook-Off. They’ll be divided into teams and challenged to work with a limited budget and a tight timeline to create a meal for four using Food Lion produce, meats and private brand products. This event takes place on Saturday, Aug. 29, at 11 a.m.

Finally, you can help feed your neighbors in need by bringing non-perishable canned food items on Food Lion Feeds Hunger Relief Day, taking place on Sunday, Aug. 30. All food items collected will be donated to Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina.

Admission: Adults: $12 at the door (advance tickets available online for $10.); youth (ages 6-12): $6; youth under age 6: free with paying adult
Advance tickets will be available through Aug. 30 for $7 at Walgreens.
Groups of 10 or more can purchase advance tickets for $7 each.
Admission is free on Friday, Aug. 28 after 4 p.m.
Teacher Appreciation Day is Sunday, Aug. 30. Teachers who present a valid school ID will be given free admission.