The 2023 festival marks the sixth year for Columbia Food and Wine. What once was a single-day tasting event has transformed into a five-day, food-filled fest that gains regional attention for Columbia’s culinary offerings. In addition to the grand tasting, the festival will host seven other signature events ranging in size, location, and concept.
The weekend-long celebration of Columbia’s hospitality scene will take place Wednesday, April 19, to Sunday, April 23, with eight events in five days, spanning two counties. Now in its sixth year, the festival features the region’s finest plates and pours from nearly 100 local restaurants, breweries, and more.
Keeping with tradition, the festival kicks off with a multi-course dinner centered around locally sourced ingredients. Hosted by local favorite and longtime staple of the Columbia culinary scene, Motor Supply Co. Bistro, the menu is a delicious collaboration of three local chefs: Motor Supply’s Wes Fulmer, Hendrix‘s Frank Bradley, and Loosh Culinaire’s Blake Fairies.
On Thursday, attendees of Pasta & Pairings will experience the art of pasta making led by local chef Pierce Bowers of Dorsia Pasta Co and taste some of his creations prepared by Lula Drake chef Rachael Harrison. Wine pairings will be poured by Mike Wine Guy as the event unfolds at one of Columbia’s most historic sites, The Pastor’s Study. Followed by Desserts & Digestifs where after-dinner treats prepared by local chefs, select dessert wines presented by Lula Drake head sommelier Tim Gardner, and specialty cocktails combine for the perfect nightcap at Hotel Trundle.
The ultimate cocktail contest takes place on Friday at Mixer on Main: The Remix! Featuring the best and brightest of the Main Street District’s mixologists, judges and attendees will vote on who has the most innovative and tasty cocktail at the beautiful Columbia Museum of Art. Saturday kicks off with a sustainable brunch and fitness demos at Brunch & Bungies, followed by Mezze on the Menu: a family-style lunch showcasing of Columbia’s Mediterranean food scene.
Wrap up Saturday at the CAE Concert on the Runway where Columbia Metropolitan Airport invites festival goers for a staggering concert with the best of Columbia’s thriving food truck scene, specialty beverages, and live music like you’ve never experienced before on the runway.
The finale culminates on Sunday at the Columbia Food and Wine Festival Grand Tasting. This one-of-a-kind gastronomical journey takes attendees through Columbia’s finest plates and pours at the historic Robert Mills House and Gardens with more than 60 of your favorite restaurants, breweries, wines, and more.
Championing the local hospitality scene is a core value of the festival. Through chef stipends and profit sharing with local business owners, Columbia Food and Wine Festival prioritizes the needs of its culinary partners.
Columbia Food and Wine Festival will again support the Charitable Plate and the South Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Foundation (SCRLF) as its nonprofit beneficiaries.
For full festival details and to purchase tickets,
visit columbiafoodandwinefestival.com.
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