Columbia, SC Introduces an Ambient Dimension to Pairing Food and Wine

By Daniela Savone

"Columbia has found its niche! We are truly on the cusp of something special!" says Tim Gardner, proprietor of Maintstreet's eclectic wine bar, Lula Drake, and the 2024 James Beard Award winner, when describing this year's highly anticipated Columbia Food & Wine Festival. "It truly expands the boundaries for the footprint of Columbia's food and hospitality scene," adds Gardner.

Gardner and his team at Lula Drake in collaboration with Hampton Street Vineyards and local DJ Preach Jacobs will be offering an exclusive "Vino & Vinyl' culinary experience. The event is just one of the fourteen satellite events leading up to the festival's grand finale. The "Vino & Vinyl" event scheduled on day three of the six-day festival is just one example of how this year's lineup goes far beyond the traditional food and wine festivals. This year's festival is sure to exceed the expectations of any food enthusiast. You're not just learning the nuances of how to pair food with wine in various cuisines. This year they've created something unexpected to truly delve into the capital city’s unique and vibrant culture and all that it has to offer. Music has always been an integral part of Columbia's hospitality scene so it naturally makes sense to draw inspiration from different genres of music to create a four-course prix fixe menu that reveals the harmonious union of food, wine, and music. The "Vino & Vinyl" dinner is expected to be a truly gastronomic symphony.

The brilliantly creative and passionate committee members were not afraid to color outside the lines this year when planning the 2025 CFWF. "Because it will be the largest festival to date, it is important to offer more tangible and innovative experiences that truly highlight and support both the long-lasting and up-and-coming local talent. We want to ensure visitors near and far are given the opportunity to engage and immerse themselves in our dynamic culinary and hospitality world and hopefully walk away with a deep appreciation for all that Colombia has to offer. It's time Columbia tells its story," explained Chase Heatherly, festival co-founder and chief revenue officer of The Post and Courier and Evening Post Publishing.

The six-day carefully curated lineup of fourteen enriching and enlightening culinary experiences and the cumulative “Grand Tasting” event that promises to tantalize your senses opens the window into the traditions, culture, and history that celebrates all that surrounds the Midlands region. After all, the best way to fully discover and experience a city and its culture is through the pleasures of the table. So if you have an appetite for adventure, an inspiring foodie, or even the occasional wine drinker, be sure to mark your calendars!

The 2025 Columbia Food and Wine Festival kicks off on Tuesday, April 22nd where renowned local chef Kristian Niemi and Mason Hatcher of Black Rooster team up with Denver's Paul Reilly from the highly acclaimed Italian hot spot, Coperta, and recent James Beard Award nominee for an unforgettable night. "As the festival continues to expand, I have chefs from all over the world who would love to come cook at it, which is why this year I am super honored and excited to kick off the event at Black Rooster with a wonderful dinner! Guests will enjoy a multi-course Italian wine dinner where both the aperitivo hour and dessert course will take place on the rooftop overlooking the gorgeous cityscape,” describes Kristian.

Whether you're looking for a sublime tasting experience, enjoy talking to culinary experts, or are looking to broaden your horizons, there’s something for everyone. To help you plan your #ColaFoodandWine itinerary, here’s a sneak peek at what you can expect; guests can choose from five different exclusive "Collaborative Kitchen" events, including an exquisite French wine dinner at Hampton Street Vineyard featuring executive chef Wes Fulmer and Polina Burns from Trimbach Winery in Alsace, France. Courses will be masterfully paired with wines from the most historic and iconic wineries in the world.

You can also be part of a special preview event at Columbia's newest cocktail hotspot and listening room, Ikie Lu Record Club featuring guest chefs Claudia Martinez and Connor Hinderks where guests will enjoy Grower champagnes and gourmet delights. Savor Southern hospitality with page-turning culinary creations at the "Palates and Pages" event hosted by All Good Books, featuring phenomenal cookbook authors, such as Mary Martha Greene and Kelvin Davis. Learn the do's and don'ts of breadmaking at the "Knead to Know" event, cheer on or compete in the "Ping Pong & Pasta" tournament, or experience a returning fan favorite "Cocktail Games," an Olympic-esque event where the region's top mixologist compete in the ultimate showdown for the coveted title of "Mixologist of the Year."

You can also break out your Coachella best and celebrate all things Columbia at the first ever "ColaFEST" at local hotspot Runway 728, for an intricate dance party between flavors, aromas, and textures! Featuring local food trucks, the region's favorite breweries, and live music from Columbia natives Marshall Brown and Opus and The Frequencies. Get the best of both worlds at "BubbleQue", an event featuring lively entertainment and esteemed local chefs because after all isn’t bubbly and BBQ what champagne dreams are made of?

You don't always have to travel far to experience cuisines from around the globe. You can get it right here in your own backyard at this year’s "Soul of the South: A Gullah Experience" dinner sponsored by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture at The Farm on Corley Mill Road. This event promises to leave a lasting impression and help guests gain a better understanding and appreciation of the history and impact Gullah culinary traditions have on modern-day cuisine. This will be a very special experience featuring South Carolina's Chef Ambassador Chris Williams, foodways expert Amethyst Ganaway, and chef instructor Kevin Mitchell from the Culinary Institute of Charleston. "There is no American culinary scene without South Carolina, and there is no South Carolina culinary scene without the contributions of the Gullah," explains Chef Chris Williams.

Lastly, indulge your senses and toast to the beauty of Columbia's diverse culture through the universal language of food and wine at the “Grand Tasting” event on Sunday, April 27th. Hosted at the historic Robert Mills Estate and Hampton Preston Mansion, this event will be an electric afternoon filled with unique delicacies and unmistakable flavors. Mix and mingle, sip innovative cocktails, explore new culinary trends, and enjoy live music and interactive chef demos to your heart’s content.

For more information and or to purchase tickets please visit www.ColumbiaFoodandwineFestival.com.