Our Story
About CFWF
About the Festival
Columbia Food & Wine Festival is a nonprofit organization that spotlights and supports the culinary community throughout the greater Columbia S.C. region. The multi-day festival brings thousands of food lovers and community members together for a one-of-a-kind experience featuring Columbia’s finest plates and pours.
Attendees build personal connections with the history and culture of Columbia’s food scene by meeting chefs, partaking in unique and local eats, and learning about the connections between chefs and the local farming community.
The festival’s values lie in supporting the hospitality community, a commitment to culinary education and delivering an unparalleled customer experience. Since 2018, Columbia Food & Wine Festival has highlighted the “Heart of SC” as a diverse and vibrant destination for food-filled experiences.
This means more resources to reinvest back into:
- Our region's incredible hospitality partners: restaurants, chefs, wineries, and the passionate individuals who make Columbia's food scene shine.
- Hospitality and service-focused nonprofit organizations: amplifying their impact and contributing to the well-being of our community.
CFWF Goes NON-Profit
Bigger Bites, Bolder Flavors & Brighter Future
From the beginning, the Columbia Food & Wine Festival has been rooted in supporting and celebrating the region’s hospitality community. Today, as a nonprofit organization under The Post and Courier Foundation (501(c)(3)), that commitment continues to grow in meaningful, lasting ways.
Through the festival, we reinvest directly into the people and organizations that shape Columbia’s food scene—from collaborating with local chefs and restaurants to supporting service-focused nonprofits and launching initiatives like our hospitality scholarship. It’s all part of building a stronger, more connected culinary community.
Experience History, Culture & Community
Connect with Columbia
One of the most meaningful things the Columbia Food & Wine Festival creates is connection. It’s a chance to meet the people behind the food, try something new and become champions of our food scene.
Throughout the festival, guests engage directly with chefs, makers and local partners, gaining a deeper understanding of the ingredients, stories and relationships that shape each dish. From fresh, seasonal sourcing to the region’s rich agricultural roots, these moments offer a closer look at what makes Columbia’s culinary scene so dynamic.
Each year, the festival is intentionally spread across the Midlands — from Lake Murray to downtown to West Columbia and beyond — inviting guests to explore the full breadth of the region. By bringing people into different neighborhoods and spaces, the festival highlights the diversity of our hospitality community and region as a whole.
Mission & Values
Guest Experience
The Columbia Food and Wine Festival is dedicated to delivering an unparalleled customer experience. From the moment that you step into the festival, every sense is engaged with the best of Columbia's offerings - we curate each event with the attendee in mind, ensuring a seamless blend of hospitality, ambiance and culinary delight.
Education
At the heart of the Columbia Food and Wine Festival lies a commitment to culinary education. We believe in nurturing a deeper understanding and appreciation of the culinary arts through our community. Through engaging workshops, interactive demonstrations, and tasting sessions, we aim to inspire attendees with knowledge beyond the Festival Weekend.
Supporting the Hospitality Community
Supporting the culinary community is a cornerstone of the Columbia Food and WIne Festival. We are deeply invested in showcasing and uplifting the talents of local chefs, restaurateurs, brands, mixologists, artisans and more. By providing a platform for these individuals to share their craft, we’re not only celebrating their contributions, but aiming to foster growth and collaboration within the industry.
Meet the Planning Committee
Chase Heatherly
Festival Co-Founder
Kelly Glynn
Festival Co-Director
Ashley Elsey
Festival Co-Director
Anna Kate Twitty
PR & Influencer Lead
Anne spencer muncy
Event Coordinator
David Adedokun
Mixologists, Spirits & Cocktail Program Lead
Dayna Cantelmi
Signature Events
jeremy bryant
Event Coordinator
Kerry welch
Marketing Lead
Lindsay conine
Beverage & Signature Events
MEG SENN
Signature Events
mike wine guy
Wine Lead
Strategic Growth Committee
Alexandra Woodlief
Ashley Lambert
Charlene Slaughter
Javier Uriarte
Kate Daly
Mattison Heatherly
About Our Host
In 2016, Free Times was acquired by Evening Post Industries, owner of The Post and Courier. Since then, the two sister brands, both firmly committed to local journalism, have shared content in print and online to reach readers across South Carolina.
Today, The Post and Courier and Free Times sustain a reputation for providing honest and trusted news coverage, food, music, arts, and culture, throwing incredible events and engaging an audience of diverse political views, socioeconomic statuses, ages and genders.