COLUMBIA, S.C. — Returning for the seventh year, the Columbia Food & Wine Festival begins today and runs through Sunday, April 28. With a wide range of events scheduled for the festival, there surely is something to suit just about everyone's taste.
As of Wednesday morning, tickets were still available for some dinners, including Thursday's Asian Night Market at The Dragon Room in Columbia.
What's new?
- a tasting event has been added to the kick-off dinner on Wednesday, April 24
- a Friday lunch has been added to accommodate out of town guests arriving early for festival weekend
- the Grand Tasting expands to both the Hampton-Preston Mansion and Robert Mills House
- Columbia Food & Wine Festival has transitioned into a non-profit limited liability wholly owned by The Post and Courier Foundation. “This has been our vision from the very beginning,” says Chase Heatherly, festival co-founder and Chief Revenue Officer of The Post and Courier + Evening Post Publishing. “As our festival grows, we will continue with our core values of spotlighting our local hospitality talent and restaurant community. This nonprofit designation is a big milestone as we continue to keep our focus on supporting local, providing food-based education opportunities, and providing our guests with an unforgettable experience.”
More chef collaborations have been added this year to locations in Richland and Lexington counties. Expect to pay between $75 to $150 per person, depending on the event -- an average price for a food festival highlighting some of the best chefs in the area. The High Noon Food Truck Rodeo at WECO Bottle & Biergarten on Friday, April 26, will cost you $25 to get in and then you'll have to add in the cost of whichever food(s) you decide to try.
While you can find the complete itinerary at columbiafoodandwinefestival.com, here are a few events that stood out to this writer:
- Wednesday, April 24: Kickoff Dinner at Private Property, sponsored by Certified SC, 6-8 p.m. features multiple courses and beverage pairings that represent a narrative of South Carolina's rich culinary landscape from chefs Trip Chalk (Private Property), Chris Williams (Roy's Grille), and Mike Ellis (Smoked, The Grand on Main, The Main Course, Good Life Cafe, The Players Club, and 518 Smokehouse).
- Thursday, April 25: Collaborative Kitchen: Bodhi Thai & Ratio, 6-8 p.m. at Bodhi Thai in Lexington. Discover SC Chef Ambassador Javier Uriate (Ratio) and International Culinary School graduate Nivit Tipvaree (Bodhi Thai) come together for a four-course feast that melds the vibrant flavors of their respective heritages. NOTE: This one holds the promise of something new and exciting, given Uriate's Peruvian and Tipvaree's Thai backgrounds.
- Friday, April 26: Mix, Mingle & Glow, sponsored by BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, 3-5:30 p.m. at The SKINHOUSE in Columbia. Unwind and become immersed in a world of beauty and bespoke cocktails. Skilled 'Skintenders,' guide guests through a dew-it-yourself mini facial and build a customized take-home beauty box. Tito’s Handmade Vodka bartenders will craft cocktails along with bites from Abundant Graze, green juices from Good Life Café, and hydrating fruit-infused Mom Water.
- Saturday, April 27: Bovinoche: Butcher & Bourbon, 6-9 p.m. at City Roots. Ignite the senses at 'Bovinoche: Butcher & Bourbon,’ a fiery and flavorful tasting experience led by Kristian Niemi (Bourbon, Black Rooster, The Dragon Room) and Wes Fulmer, along with a stellar lineup of chefs. Complementing the savory delights will be an assortment of cocktails courtesy of Heaven Hill Distillery and Luxco, each crafted to enhance the smoky and rich flavors of the food. NOTE: Think whole hog, chickens and more cooked low and slow over wood fire.
- Sunday, April 28: Grand Tasting, 1-4 p.m. at Robert Mills House and Hampton Preston Mansion. The grand finale where hundreds of foodies will revel in the flavors of Columbia. Over 60 local restaurants, breweries, mixologists, and culinary artisans unite to offer a spread of creative and tasty samples that are a testament to all the Columbia region has to offer.
Tickets for this five-day fest are expected to sell fast, so don't wait too long making your decisions. According to festival organizers, since its inception in 2018, Columbia Food & Wine Festival has welcomed over 9,600 guests. Last year, just over half of paid ticketholders (51%) came from outside the city of Columbia.
Columbia Mayor Daniel Rickenmann said, “It’s exciting for Columbia to host this celebration of our nationally accredited culinary community. With many festival-goers coming from outside the city, the festival brings attention, support, and dollars to our local economy. This event is perfect for tourists and locals alike to experience Columbia and support local businesses."