The Columbia Food and Wine Festival returns for its eighth year April 23-27 featuring the Columbia region’s finest plates and pours.
From hands-on experiences like breadmaking 101 to chef collaborations and the Grand Tasting, the festival offers something for the foodie in all of us. Not to be left out are wine, of course, and unique cocktail experiences (ever heard of the Cocktail Games?)
Highlights this year include James Beard award winner Lula Drake pairing up with local favorite DJ Preach Jacobs for Vino and Vinyl; a taste of the Gullah cuisine with a modern spin at Soul of the South, A Gullah Experience; The Cocktail Games bringing together the region’s top mixologists for the ultimate showdown; and Ping Pong Pasta – yes, your eyes aren’t deceiving you. What’s better to accompany a ping pong game than a pasta dish from Villa Tronco? Fans of BubbleQue will now find it at the festival with its signature mix of BBQ and champagne.
Expect dinner collaborations with top chefs such as Columbia’s Kristian Niemi of Black Rooster and Denver’s Paul Reilly of Coperta, a 2025 James Beard Award semi-finalist, at the kick off dinner, Smoked Chef Tim McCloskey with cocktails by Gabe King of Hendrix, and past South Carolina Chef Ambassador Chris Williams and Kevin Mitchell from the Culinary Institute of Charleston making Gullah food traditions.
The culminating Grand Tasting on Sunday, April 27, features a sampling of dishes, cocktails, live music and interactive chef demos. By the end, the event will have featured more than 100 chefs mixologists and artisans.
Tickets for the Grand Tasting and individual events, and the full schedule are available at columbiafoodandwinefestival.com. Early ticket purchases are encouraged, as popular events tend to sell out quickly due to high demand. VIP and Early Access ticket holders can enjoy an extra hour of culinary exploration with entry at noon.
Keep in mind that all festival events are for ages 21 and over except Ping Pong & Pasta. Due to the nature of the festival and for the safety of all parties, children and pets are not permitted.