Columbia Food and Wine Festival enters its ninth year on a high note
Wow factor. That’s what Ashley Cady Elsey seeks when planning new events for the 2026 Columbia Food and Wine Festival. As co-director of the event, along with Kelly Glynn, who leads logistics, Elsey runs point on marketing.
The festival, she explains, adheres to three pillars: spotlighting Columbia’s culinary talent; creating a high-level hospitality experience for guests; and education. The latter aspect involves sharing stories about local chefs whose food is featured at the various events. “I make sure those things don’t get lost in the sauce,” she says.
Founded in 2018, Columbia Food and Wine Festival has grown from a one-day tasting to a five-day celebration of the city’s food scene. Since then, it has welcomed more than 15,600 guests to 62 events featuring more than 375 culinary partners from across the region. The festival now has full nonprofit status under its operator, The Post and Courier Foundation, reinforcing its goal to give back to the community.
This year, that philanthropic goal is being furthered through the establishment of the Columbia Food and Wine Hospitality Scholarship. Open to rising juniors and seniors majoring in hospitality or tourism management at USC, the $2,500 scholarship will be awarded to two students at the festival’s private preview party. The recipients will be invited to join the festival’s Strategic Growth Committee and participate in the planning for the following year.
Columbia Food and Wine 2026 Signature Events
Each year, the team dreams up different Signature Events—a total of 12 in 2026—which range from hands-on classes and themed tastings to impeccable multicourse dinners. As it has since the festival’s inception, the Grand Tasting lies at its heart. The finale and sole event held on Sunday, this one-day culinary showcase assembles 100 chefs, mixologists, and food artisans from across the Midlands, complete with live music and chef demonstrations. This year, the Grand Tasting will be hosted at two historic properties, Robert Mills House and Gardens and Hampton-Preston Mansion and Gardens (located across the street from each other).
Overall, the festival lifts up the greater Columbia region as a destination for fantastic food and beverage. “At its core, the festival exists to celebrate the people behind the plates and glasses—the chefs, beverage professionals, and businesses that make this community special,” Elsey says.
It’s also about connection, she adds. “I hope people walk away having met a chef for the first time, tried a new ingredient, or learned something new about a restaurant they already love.”
Related: More Columbia experiences
Events snapshot
Smoke on the Water
Held at Lake Murray, Smoke on the Water will spotlight barbecue star power: 2025 James Beard Award semifinalist Robbie Robinson of City Limits Barbecue in West Columbia; Rodney Scott, Lowcountry pitmaster and JBA winner for Best Chef: Southeast in 2018; and five-time world barbecue champion Myron Mixon from Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
The Collections Served
This curated dinner honors the 75th anniversary of the Columbia Museum of Art. Chef Wes Fulmer from Hampton Street Vineyard and guest chef Kevin Minnick from Chicago will create four courses, each inspired by a piece of art in one of the museum’s four new collection areas.
High Tea and Tutus
A performance by Columbia’s South Carolina Ballet will be the highlight at this over-the-top afternoon tea experience at historic Mansion on Blanding.
Bunaroo
Dogs are welcome at revitalized Finlay Park for what Elsey calls “our gourmet take on the humble bun.” Expect chefs to riff on the theme with offerings from lobster rolls to bao buns.
You can go: April 22–26, Columbia, South Carolina; tickets and schedule available online at colafoodandwine.com
