Schedule of Events

Share a toast with festival organizers, sponsors and weekend-long festivalgoers as we kick off the Columbia Food and Wine Festival at Saluda’s Restaurant on Friday evening, April 26. Attendees will enjoy a five-course dinner prepared by Saluda’s executive chef Josh Rogerson and a team of other local chefs all of whom will collaborate to ensure this dinner is one you won’t forget. Dinner includes a limited beer and wine selection and a specialty cocktail to complement the meal.

Tourists and locals agree: one of the best aspects of life in Columbia, South Carolina is our year-round Saturday Soda City Market. Join us on Main Street for an expanded Soda City Market and taste authentic international delights from appetizers to entrees to pastries. Step in to this microcosm of Columbia’s thriving diversity with more than 10 local Columbia food vendors; all of whom provide a slew of cultural cuisine. Meet the owners behind these great businesses such as Belgian Waffle Truck and I Love Paella, while enjoying all that the European-inspired Soda City Market has to offer. Maps will be provided to attendees and participating partners will be noted with designated CFWF signage. You can taste recipes from all around the world right here in downtown Columbia – join us for Soda City and find out for yourselves what it’s like to eat around the world!

It’s no secret that The BullStreet District is quickly becoming a crucial fabric to the growth of our city. The Columbia Food and Wine Festival invites you to join us for a marquee satellite event Saturday morning; a multi-course brunch with cocktail to course pairings at the urban rooftop of the First Base Building — the largest private office building constructed in Columbia, S.C. since 2009 — overlooking Segra Park [f.k.a. Spirit Communications Park]. Enjoy hand-crafted cocktails and a bottomless punch provided by Spencer Robinson, Head Bartender of The War Mouth, along with a tasty brunch spread crafted by BullStreet resident Chef/Owner Scott Hall of Bone-In BBQ and Chef David Grillo of Cantina 76. Kick off your day surrounded by locals + friends sipping brunch libations and enjoying each course atop The BullStreet District!

Sure, it’s a food and wine festival, but let’s be real: we love our city’s craft beer scene, too. Stop by River Rat Brewery’s rooftop bar for a craft beer collaboration featuring four of our city’s local breweries. Expand your craft beer appreciation by tasting standard brews offered in these breweries as well as specialty brews crafted uniquely for the Columbia Food and Wine Festival weekend. Beer is included; food is available at River Rat for purchase.

Calling all wine enthusiasts! Join Main Street’s boutique wine parlour, Lula Drake for an educational wine tasting session at Lula’s private event space, The Pastor’s Study. Lula Drake owner and Sommelier Tim Gardner will offer a series of rare wine tastings not available on Lula Drake’s wine list. Tim will provide insights on each wine and their respective wineries. This event will do your heart AND mind some good. Light hors d’oeuvres are included.

Our series of exceptional satellite events culminates on Saturday evening at our Heirloom Breeds + Seeds Dinner. Two of Columbia’s most revered restaurants — Motor Supply Company Bistro and Spotted Salamander Café & Catering — will team up on a thoughtfully curated four-course meal, highlighting heirloom and sustainable ingredients. Soak in the history and charm of downtown Columbia during this dining experience hosted at the Seibels House and Garden, owned and operated by Historic Columbia. Beginning inside the Seibels House at 6:30pm, Motor Supply Head Barman Josh Streetman will delight guests with a house-made cocktail, along with passed hors d’oeuvres. After cocktails, guests will move to the outdoor garden space for a dinner created, plated, and served by chefs Wes Fulmer of Motor Supply and Jessica Shillato of Spotted Salamander. With wine pairings at each course and live music under the stars, this will be a captivating evening of culinary collaboration.

The main event for the 2019 Columbia Food & Wine Festival will be on Sunday, April 28, 2019 on Saluda Avenue in Columbia’s Five Points village. The ticketed event will feature tastings from over 50 local restaurants, a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, local artisans, farmers, musicians and more.