In the Field
Columbia Food & Wine Festival
Join us as we journey through a tapestry of traditions, flavors, and rhythms.

The Midlands' premier culinary celebration, Columbia Food & Wine Festival, returns April 22-27, 2025, for a week-long culinary experience that showcases local chefs, mixologists, and food experts and spotlights Columbia’s vibrant food. Now in its eighth year, the six-day festival will showcase the region’s top culinary talent through a variety of dinners, events and the popular Grand Tasting finale. This year’s festival is presented by Jim Hudson Cadillac and will feature more than 100 chefs, mixologists and artisans.
From intimate dinners and large tasting events to hands-on experiences, the 2025 Columbia Food & Wine Festival offers something unique for every food and drink enthusiast. Highlights include the participation of Lula Drake, Columbia’s James Beard Award-winning restaurant, as well as 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. Guests can also enjoy carefully curated events like “Knead to Know: Breadmaking 101,” the Gullah-inspired “Soul of the South,” and the lively “Cocktail Games” mixology competition, among others.
The festival culminates with the Grand Tasting on Sunday, April 27 at Historic Columbia’s Robert Mills House and Hampton-Preston Mansion. Whether sampling dishes, sipping cocktails or exploring new culinary trends, attendees will enjoy a vibrant celebration of Columbia’s dynamic culinary scene, while also enjoying live music and interactive chef demos.
“The Columbia Food & Wine Festival is about showcasing the incredible culinary talent and creativity in our region, while creating opportunities to connect over a shared passion for food and drinks,” says Chase Heatherly, festival co-founder and chief revenue officer of The Post and Courier and Evening Post Publishing. “As we continue to grow, our commitment to supporting local chefs, mixologists and artisans — while offering guests unforgettable experiences — remains at the heart of everything we do. We’re excited to share this year’s lineup and look forward to welcoming guests from the Midlands and beyond at this year’s festivities.”
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