Columbia, Missouri Food Festivals

Midwest College Town Serves Up Three Delicious Festivals

Jun 13, 2008

From mouth-watering barbeque to education about fine wines, the food and drink-focused festivals in Columbia, Mo. aim to satisfy everyone's tastes.

Columbia, Mo., located midway between Kansas City and St. Louis, is a small town that packs a big punch. Known as the home of the University of Missouri, Stephen's College and Columbia College, people come to Columbia for its academics but stay for the city’s thriving arts scene, unique shopping, beautiful parks and great restaurants. For true food fanatics Columbia is the perfect destination for a gourmet getaway.

Inside Columbia Wine and Food Festival (June 25-29)

This five-day celebration of food and wine makes its debut in 2008. The festival is hosted by Inside Columbia magazine and showcases the city's best culinary offerings. The city's top restaurants and chefs and over 130 wineries are participating in the festival which features these eight events:

Dinner & a Movie: A series of cooking demonstrations and wine pairings presented by some of Columbia's top chefs followed by an al fresco meal and a movie screening at the Ragtag Cinema.
The Great Tasting: Guests sample wines from more than 130 wineries and eat food prepared by some of Columbia's top chefs while listening to live music. Wine experts will be available to answer questions and introduce their vintages.
Wine and Food Seminars: Experts on wine and food will present nine seminars on topics like wines from around the world, chef demonstrations and chocolate.
Wine Dinners: Head chefs from Columbia restaurants will prepare a special menu and pair the meal with a selection of wines that complement the dishes.
Tour de Columbia - Progressive Dinner: Features several stops around Columbia for cocktails and appetizers, starters, salad, entrée, a cheese course, dessert, and after-dinner drinks.
Sip and Shop: Participants sample wines from around the world while shopping at various downtown merchants.
Bon Vivant Brunch: The guest chefs will combine their expertise to create brunch as the festival's finale.
Wine 101 with Doug Frost: Wine guru Doug Frost, one of three people in the world who is both a Master Sommelier and a Master of Wine, will host this wine education seminar and guide participants through a tasting of seven rare wines.

Tickets for the Wine and Food Festival can be purchased at the Inside Columbia website.

Roots N' Blues N' BBQ Festival (October 3-4)

The second annual Roots N’ Blues N’ BBQ Festival is a two-day event that takes place in Columbia’s downtown area and features numerous food vendors selling everything from BBQ and Jamaican jerk chicken to festival favorites like funnel cake and kettle corn. There is also a Kansas City Barbeque Society State Champion BBQ Contest awarding the best in brisket, pork, ribs, chicken and sausage. According to the festival's website, the 2007 competition attracted over 50 competitors from all over Missouri. Aside from great food the festival also features three stages of blues musicians like Buddy Guy, Jerry Douglas, (2008) Taj Mahal, and the Blind Boys of Alabama (2007).

Beers, Wines and Champagnes of the World (October 10)

The University of Missouri Concert Series hosts this annual fundraiser. The event allows participants to sample various beers, wines and champagnes from around the world along with hors d'oeuvres that complement each selection. In 2008, the festival will be held at the historic Tiger Hotel in downtown Columbia.

Columbia's food festivals in the heart of Missouri will keep everyone from the average food fan to culinary connoisseurs, full, educated and excited for the next bite!