Editor’s Note: Columbia Food & Wine Festival is a nonprofit owned by The Post and Courier Foundation.
As Columbia Food and Wine Festival returns for the ninth year, first-time participants find their place among festival regulars. The annual celebration of Columbia’s culinary scene spans five days, and new restaurants and businesses are featured throughout in satellite events with niche themes to the Grand Tasting finale. With the promise of fresh attention from festival attendees, first timers prepare to put their best dish forward.
Bailey Parker, owner of B.MAC Bake Shop, makes her Columbia Food and Wine Festival debut at High Tea and Tutus with her custom French macaroons. Beyond her 12 years of experience baking macaroons, Parker put in additional work to prepare for the April 24 event’s theme.
“I don’t just do regular macaroons,” she said. “I do fully custom shapes of macaroons and fully decorated, so I’ve been researching different designs, different appliques.”
A bartender pours cocktails during the 2023 Columbia Food and Wine Festival
Forrest Clonts
Though it has been a mainstay of the Columbia dinner scene for almost 15 years, Cola’s joins the festival for the first time this year. As new restaurants vie for the spotlight around Columbia, Head Chef Jonathan Mitchell plans to use the Grand Tasting as an opportunity to keep the restaurant in the conversation of the Columbia culinary community.
“With Cola’s having the name recognition but not exactly the social presence, I felt it was time for us to delve into that,” Mitchell said.
At the Grand Tasting on Sunday, April 26, he will be serving a Carolina peach and sweet corn salad with cilantro marinated shrimp featuring ingredients from around the state. The local ingredients and fresh flavors are a taste of the specials and creativity Mitchell has brought to Cola’s in his last four years as head chef.
Participating in the festival also gives newcomers a chance to show what they contribute to the Columbia culinary culture.
Sakhar Jams co-owner Reshma Mahadkar said, “When folks come out to the food and wine festival, there are people who are actually interested in what local means.”
Sakhar Jams is dedicated to uplifting local and underserved farmers and hopes to share that mission through their jam. The Strawberry Prosecco Jam that Reshma and co-owner Jessica Henry are preparing for the Taste the Rainbow Drag Brunch features strawberries from Cottle Farms in Hopkins.
Columbia-based Sakhar Jams pairs South Carolina fruit with India-inspired spices. The company recently received a $25,000 grant from the state Department of Agriculture as its products grow in popularity.
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“Local food matters and jam is such a great nostalgic way to bring people together and a sweet little message to participate in local because it has such a great domino effect in your community,” said Mahadkar.
Owner of Noma Bistro and first-time festival participant Muhammed Sadedin hopes to shift attendees’ focus beyond Columbia during the Bites Around the Block satellite event.
“We do Mediterranean food,” Sadedin said. Bringing attendees into the culture, he shared that he is planning a bit of a surprise. “I’m bringing a DJ as well for them to play some Middle Eastern songs, so everybody gets exposed to different cultures.”
Keeping the events fresh with new vendors is part of what has made the Columbia Food and Wine Festival a success. The usual suspects and local chefs are always a delight to attendees, but the festival is especially meaningful for these businesses making their debut.
A Parker of B.MAC Bake Shop shared, “I’m a one-woman business and so for this type of high-profile event, the exposure is incredible.”
Dining and Cooking