Columbia Food & Wine Festival 2026
In the Field
Columbia Food & Wine Festival 2026
The Columbia Food and Wine Festival offers five days of exceptional culinary experiences that celebrate the talent, creativity, and hospitality of the region. From intimate seatings to large-scale tastings, each event is thoughtfully designed to connect guests with the chefs, mixologists, and makers who define Columbia’s dynamic food scene.
Now in its ninth year, the five-day festival will feature 10 events and bring together 100+ chefs, mixologists, brewers and beverage pros from across the region.
The festival recently launched Tastemakers, a patron giving circle that offers insider access to festival experiences while supporting the region’s hospitality community. Tastemakers will help expand the festival’s charitable impact, including a new scholarship program for hospitality students. Now in its ninth year, the five-day festival will host more than 10 events featuring over 100 chefs and beverage professionals across the greater Columbia region. Tastemakers memberships are available now at columbiafoodandwinefestival.com.
“We’re intentionally investing in the future of this festival and the future of Columbia’s hospitality community,” says Ashley Elsey, co-director of Columbia Food & Wine Festival. “Tastemakers and our new student scholarships are part of a larger effort to build a more sustainable, inclusive and community-driven festival. These changes represent the direction we’re moving — one that celebrates our chefs, supports emerging talent and elevates the experience for everyone who attends.”
What to Expect 
Signature Events
Signature Events take place Wednesday to Saturday and change each year to feature new talent and new venues, showcasing the diversity of Columbia’s culinary talent through distinctive formats and settings. This year, the festival will host 10+ unique signature events.
The Grand Tasting
The festival’s marquee event, the Grand Tasting always takes place on Sunday and is a one-day culinary showcase bringing together more nearly 100 chefs, mixologists, and artisans from across the Midlands. Guests sample their way through the region’s best flavors in an atmosphere that’s festive, elegant, and unmistakably local.
There are three levels of tickets — VIP, early access and general admission. VIP and Early Access ticket holders get the chance to enter the event one our before general admission; they receive the first bites of the day from the restaurants of their choosing without the large crowds or waiting in line. VIP ticket holders enjoy the full benefits of the festival with the added perk of a private lounge. The VIP area will include a beautiful seating area, live music and a special craft cocktail bar.
Tastemakers
Become a Tastemaker — Support and Savor Columbia’s Biggest Food Celebration
Since its inception, the festival has infused nearly $275,000 directly into its restaurant partners and contributed more than $61,000 to local nonprofits. Tastemakers builds on that impact, functioning as both a donor program and an exclusive access pass to one of the region’s most anticipated food events.
“Tastemakers is designed for those who savor, support and help shape Columbia’s largest culinary celebration,” says Kelly Glynn, co-director of Columbia Food & Wine Festival. “It’s more access, more flavor and more Columbia.”
Membership is $500 per person, with $250 of that contribution considered tax-deductible. Tastemakers helps build early momentum for the festival and support initiatives that highlight local chefs, beverage professionals and food-focused businesses. The program will be open to a limited number of supporters each year, with memberships available on a first-come basis.
2026 Tastemakers membership benefits:
- One VIP Grand Tasting ticket (Sunday, April 26, 2026)
- One ticket to a private, invitation-only Preview Party (Tuesday, April 21, 2026)
- Early access to purchase signature event tickets
- A 15% discount on festival merchandise
- Concierge service, including white-glove ticketing support and priority waitlists
- First access to festival announcements and programming
- Recognition on the festival website
- A partially tax-deductible membership contribution
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