Charlotte Wine + Food Week invites you to step behind the Blue Door and into its private speakeasy for an extraordinary sake dinner. Enjoy a curated menu crafted by rising-star chef Michael Le, Chef & Owner of Hello Uncle, perfectly paired with sake from the renowned Kikusui Sake Brewery. Leading the dinner will be our very special guest joining all the way from Japan, Shunsuke Takasawa, President of Kikusui Sake Brewery along with Charlotte’s own Sara Guterbock, better known as “Sake Sara”, Japanese Beverage Specialist & Educator for NY Mutual Trading Co. Guests will also be treated to specialty sake cocktails by Blue Door’s award-wining mixologist, Mike Guzmán.
This unforgettable evening of sake, food, fun, and fundraising is held in support of four Charlotte-area children's charities - Beds for Kids, Digi-Bridge, Families Forward Charlotte, and Wayfinders. Collectively, these organizations serve more than 2,500 children, helping ensure access to stability, education, and opportunity - paving the way for brighter, more secure futures for these children and our community. Learn more here.
The dinner will also offer you an opportunity to give back by making a direct donation, purchasing raffle tickets for exciting prizes, and/or bidding in the Week's auctions.
ABOUT KIKUSUI
Kikusui is of the most famous craft breweries in Japan. They are located in Niigata, arguably the most celebrated sake producing prefecture, known for light, crisp, clean sakes produced from snowmelt. Niigata is one of the snowiest places in the world! Quality is of such importance to Kikusui, they utilize an optical sorter, like those used by the world’s most famous wineries, to quality check every grain of rice. Kikusui was the first brewery to introduce true NAMA, or wholly unpasteurized sake, to the masses, about 50 years ago. By choosing an innovative can, they were able to ensure the freshness of this product by protecting it from light.
EVENT DETAILS
Date: Wednesday, April 15, 2026
Time: 6:30 PM Reception | 6:45 PM Dinner
Location: Blue Door | 1508 S Mint St, Charlotte, NC 28203
Special Guests: Shunsuke Takasawa | President - KIKUSUI SAKE CO., LTD
Sara Guterbock, ISS, ASP, JSA Sake Diploma, SSI Official Lecturer, WSET Educator Sake & Wine, CS, CWE, DipWSET |
Educator with Sake School of America | National Educator & National Key Account Specialist for Mutual Trading CompanyMichael Le | Chef & Owner - Hello Uncle
Mike Guzmán - Beverage Director & Operator - Blue Door
Tickets: $300Gratuity is included in the ticket price and $85 of each ticket is tax-deductible. Must be 21+
Seating will be counter-style facing the kitchen.
Purchase Tickets - this link https://www.charlottewineandfood.org/sake-hello-uncle-at-blue-door
Hosted by Charlotte Wine & Food Board Member Cat Carter.
MENU + SAKEDietary restrictions are unable to be accommodated for this experience.
- RECEPTION -Welcome Cocktail by Blue Door featuring
Funaguchi Honjozo Nama Genshu | ORIGINAL GOLD CAN | Niigata
- FIRST COURSE -
Tomato tsukemono, chilled dashi, lemon balm
Kikusui Junmai Ginjo | CHRYSANTHEMUM MIST | Niigata
- SECOND COURSE -
Tuna crudo, ponzu, lime leaf oil, shaved leek
Kikusui Sakamai Junmai Daiginjo | BORN AGAIN | Niigata
- THIRD COURSE -
Amadai, dashi ankake, chive oil, charred long bean
Kikusui Sakamai Junmai Daiginjo Genshu | ETERNAL LIFE | Niigata
ANDKikusui Kuramitsu Junmai Daiginjo | TASTE OF TRIUMPH | Niigata
- FOURTH COURSE -
Aged duck, mushroom soy, coriander curry, dino kale
Kikusui Funaguchi Ginjo Nama Genshu 1 Year Aged | RUBY CAN | Niigata
- FIFTH COURSE -
Ginger ice cream, shiso oil, candied mandarin powder
Cocktail by Blue Door featuring
Kikusui Perfect Snow Nigori | PERFECT SNOW | Niigata