Tickets are officially on sale for the 2025 Columbia Food & Wine Festival, the Midlands’ premier culinary celebration, set for April 22-27, 2025. 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.”
2025 Columbia Food & Wine Festival Event Lineup
The festival’s one-of-a-kind events change every year and vary in location, theme, talent and size, allowing the festival to showcase new parts of the region and highlight a combination of emerging and longtime chefs and mixologists. Check out the full schedule here – https://columbiafoodandwinefestival.com/the-festival/schedule/
Tickets are available at columbiafoodandwinefestival.com for the Grand Tasting and individual events, allowing attendees to curate a personalized festival experience. Early ticket purchases are encouraged, as popular events tend to sell out quickly due to high demand.
All festival events are 21+ except Ping Pong & Pasta. Due to the nature of the festival and for the safety of all parties, children and pets are not permitted.
Community Impact
Columbia Food and Wine Festival, a nonprofit event organized by the Post and Courier Foundation, is committed to supporting and spotlighting the culinary community in the greater Columbia region. The festival partners with Certified South Carolina to highlight the connections between chefs and farmers as well as the importance of sourcing local foods.
“As a proud supporter of the Midlands community, Jim Hudson Cadillac is honored to partner with the Columbia Food & Wine Festival to help bring together the incredible culinary talent and vibrant hospitality of our region,” says Keith Hudson, President of Jim Hudson Automotive Group. “We believe in supporting local chefs, artisans and organizations that make Columbia such a special place to live and visit.”
Through unique revenue-sharing models, the festival has collaborated directly with local restaurants, returning nearly $200,000 to talent partners and over $50,000 to local nonprofits, further strengthening the connection between the festival and the vibrant food scene it celebrates.
To further the impact on local hospitality, the festival has two beneficiaries — the South Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Foundation (SCRLF) and the Post & Courier Foundation. Additionally, multiple nonprofit volunteer organizations help behind the scenes at festival events. All volunteers receive a donation to their nonprofit organization.
Continued Growth and Success
What began as a one-day tasting event in 2018 has grown into a six-day culinary experience thanks to the dedication of partners, including Free Times and the Five Points Foundation, and a passionate committee of hospitality experts, tourism leaders and community champions. The award-winning festival showcases the finest plates and pours Columbia has to offer, earning recognition as a must-attend event for foodies across the Southeast and beyond.
“Columbia Food & Wine Festival brings together the people, stories and creativity that make our culinary scene so special,” says Jessica Shillato, James Beard semifinalist and chef at Spotted Salamander. “It’s more than just a celebration of great food and drink — it’s an opportunity to shine a light on the passion and collaboration that define Columbia’s food scene. This festival fosters so many connections and creates unforgettable moments that truly reflect the heart of our communities.”
Since its founding, the festival has welcomed more than 12,500 guests to 46 events featuring more than 300 culinary partners from across the region. More festival information can be found online at columbiafoodandwinefestival.com.