February 2, 2026

Columbia Food & Wine Fest Unveils 2026 Lineup

Columbia, SC, February 2, 2026

The Columbia Food and Wine Festival has released its 2026 schedule, featuring five days of culinary excellence and community engagement. The festival showcases over ten unique events that highlight local chefs, mixologists, and artisans while emphasizing Southern flavors and hospitality. Notable events include curated dinners, high tea performances, and unique tasting experiences, all contributing to the region’s culinary culture. Additionally, new initiatives like the ‘Tastemakers’ patron program aim to support future culinary professionals through scholarships, showcasing the festival’s commitment to community growth and economic impact.

Columbia, SC —

Columbia Food & Wine Fest Reveals Exciting 2026 Lineup

The highly anticipated Columbia Food and Wine Festival has unveiled its 2026 schedule, promising five days of culinary excellence and community celebration. From innovative tasting experiences to collaborative dinners, this year’s festival highlights the power of local initiative and private partnerships in fostering vibrant regional culture.

Charleston, a city renowned for its own dynamic culinary scene, can appreciate the significant efforts behind such a comprehensive regional event. The Columbia Food and Wine Festival, now in its ninth year, stands as a testament to the dedication of local organizers, chefs, and beverage professionals who, through personal initiative and collaborative spirit, craft an experience that elevates the entire community. It underscores how individual achievement within the culinary arts, supported by engaged civic participation, can truly enrich a city’s identity and attract visitors from across the state and beyond.

A Feast of Local Talent and Innovation

The 2026 Columbia Food and Wine Festival is set to run from April 22 to April 26, offering more than ten distinct events across South Carolina’s capital city. This multi-day celebration showcases the region’s top chefs, mixologists, and culinary artisans, emphasizing local flavors and Southern hospitality. Such events exemplify how individual entrepreneurial spirit, rather than extensive bureaucratic oversight, can lead to impressive community programming.

Highlighting Key Culinary Journeys

Among the numerous offerings, several events stand out for their creative approach and celebration of diverse culinary talents:

The Collections Served: A Curated Dinner

Scheduled for Thursday, April 23, this art-inspired dinner will be led by Hampton Street Vineyard chef Wes Fulmer. It offers a unique blend of fine dining and cultural immersion, beginning in the recently reopened Collection Galleries at the Columbia Museum of Art. This event demonstrates the synergy possible when artistic institutions and culinary professionals combine their expertise, offering a sophisticated experience that champions local arts and business.

High Tea & Tutus

On Friday, April 24, attendees can enjoy a sophisticated high tea experience at the historic Mansion on Blanding. This event will feature a special theatrical design and performance from the South Carolina Ballet, showcasing a harmonious blend of culinary delight and artistic expression. It highlights private sector ingenuity in creating distinctive cultural experiences that appeal to a broad audience.

A Reconstruction Dinner

Also on Friday, April 24, the Woodrow Wilson Family Home will host a “Reconstruction Dinner,” bringing together five South Carolina Chef Ambassadors. This unique dining experience will feature a menu that thoughtfully weaves together Southern cuisine and history. Such an event celebrates regional heritage and the individual talents of chefs who are passionate about their craft and local ingredients.

Smoke on the Water

A highly anticipated event on Saturday, April 25, “Smoke on the Water” will gather an elite lineup of barbecue masters at Putnam’s Harbor on Lake Murray. This includes James Beard award-winning Chef Rodney Scott, West Columbia chef Robbie Robinson, and five-time World Barbecue Champion Myron Mixon. This assembly of culinary heavyweights underscores the individual achievement and competitive spirit that drives innovation within the food industry.

Cheese Rave: A Curd Collective

For those seeking a more unconventional experience, the “Cheese Rave: A Curd Collective” will take place on Friday, April 24, and extend into Saturday, April 25. This event curates a cheese tasting paired with electronic music, featuring establishments such as 929 Kitchen & Bar, MOA Korean BBQ, and Rosewood Market. It exemplifies creative local entrepreneurship in crafting unique and memorable entertainment options.

Nurturing Future Talent and Community Engagement

Beyond the culinary delights, the festival introduces significant initiatives aimed at community growth and educational development. The establishment of the “Tastemakers” patron program is a notable example of civic innovation driven by private support. With an annual membership contribution, Tastemakers receive exclusive benefits while directly aiding the festival’s mission and charitable impacts. This includes a new scholarship program offering two $2,500 scholarships for University of South Carolina students enrolled in the College of Hospitality, Retail, and Sport Management.

This commitment to investing in future hospitality professionals highlights a proactive approach to workforce development through private means, demonstrating the impactful role that individual and corporate philanthropy plays in nurturing local talent and ensuring the continued vitality of the hospitality sector. Such programs embody the principle of personal initiative, where communities come together to build resources and opportunities for the next generation without solely relying on public funding.

Economic Impact and Collaborative Spirit

The Columbia Food and Wine Festival is not just a culinary showcase; it is a significant economic driver for the region. Since its inception, the festival has infused nearly $275,000 directly into its restaurant partners and contributed over $50,000 to local nonprofits. This direct financial injection into local businesses and charitable organizations demonstrates the profound positive ripple effect of well-organized, privately supported community events.

The festival’s ethos, described as an “exploration of Columbia — its neighborhoods, its voices and its creative spirit,” ties history and culture through its venues and menus. This approach underlines the importance of community engagement and local leadership in shaping a city’s narrative and fostering collective pride. By highlighting individual chefs, restaurateurs, and beverage professionals, the festival celebrates the diverse talents that contribute to Columbia’s thriving food and beverage scene. Charleston SC events and South Carolina SC gatherings can draw inspiration from this model of locally driven growth.

Join the Culinary Celebration

The Columbia Food and Wine Festival offers an exceptional opportunity to experience the creativity and dedication of South Carolina’s culinary community. We encourage our readers, whether residents of Charleston County or beyond, to explore the festival’s diverse offerings and consider supporting events that champion local choice, individual achievement, and private sector innovation. Engaging with regional festivals like this strengthens the fabric of our broader South Carolina community and promotes a culture of excellence and entrepreneurship. Your participation helps celebrate and sustain the vibrant local insights that make our state unique.

Key Features of the 2026 Columbia Food and Wine Festival

Feature	Details
Dates	April 22 – April 26, 2026
Duration	Five days
Number of Events	More than 10 unique events
Participating Professionals	Over 100 chefs and beverage professionals
Key Events Highlighted	The Collections Served: A Curated Dinner, High Tea & Tutus, A Reconstruction Dinner, Smoke on the Water, Cheese Rave: A Curd Collective, Grand Tasting
New Initiatives	Tastemakers patron program, CFWF Hospitality Scholarship (two $2,500 scholarships for USC students)
Economic Contribution	Nearly $275,000 infused into restaurant partners, over $50,000 contributed to local nonprofits
Festival Focus	Showcasing local flavors, Southern hospitality, exploration of Columbia’s neighborhoods, voices, and creative spirit
Producing Entity	South Carolina Event Productions