The 22nd Annual Wine & Food Week is a Journey Through the World from June 1 – 7, 2026
Kicking off at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel & Convention Center, the 22nd Annual Wine & Food Week will celebrate this year’s theme, Going Places-Discover Where Wine Can Take You
HERE’S THE SCOOP:
Wine & Food Week returns June 1–7, 2025, celebrating 22 years as one of the region’s premier culinary and wine events with this year’s theme, Going Places—a culinary journey highlighting global flavors, emerging talent, and the innovators shaping the future of food, wine, and hospitality.
With hundreds of wines, standout chefs, special guests, and immersive event experiences, Wine & Food Week promises a week of indulgence, discovery, and unforgettable flavors.
Discover where wine can take you with a globally inspired line-up of events including the NEW Going Places Goes Global event on Wednesday June 3 Wednesday featuring multiple wine pairing seminars, followed by the smashing and successful Crushing It With Cocktails competition which shakes it up with some of the city’s best mixologists taking guests to faraway places on Thursday June 4.
Also featured the extremely popular Sips, Suds and Savor on Friday June 5 and elegant Ladies of the Vine Tasting, Panel & Luncheon. The celebration culminates with the grand finale—the Wine Rendezvous Grand Tasting & Chef Showcase at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Ballroom, where acclaimed chefs compete for the coveted Chef of Chefs Award and a $5,000 cash prize.
“As we celebrate 22 years, Wine & Food Week is Going Places—exploring new flavors, new experiences, and new ways to bring people together through food and wine,” said Constance McDerby, Founder of Wine & Food Week. “From global wine regions to innovative culinary creations, this year’s event is a celebration of discovery, creativity, and the passion that continues to drive the culinary world forward.”
FUN FACTS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:
- Emily in Paris Comes to The Woodlands – Strike a pose, channel your inner Parisian, and join the fabulous Emily in Paris lookalike contest complete with French-inspired flair and fashion show presented by Love Always Boutique. Featured during Going Places Goes Global June 3 from 6 – 9 p.m.
- Italian Wine & BBQ—Saluti! – Described as the most interesting man in barbecue, Chef Ara Malekian of Harlem Road Texas BBQ is a pitmaster with a passion for extraordinary pairings. Head to Italy with Trinchero Wines in this deliciously unexpected seminar pairing smoky Texas BBQ with bold Italian wines. Featured Wednesday, June 3 as part of Going Places Goes Global.
- Discover the Ancient Wines of Bulgaria – Wine expert Robyn Arcia from Bernhardt Winery uncorks the fascinating history and unique flavors of one of the world’s oldest wine regions in this experiential feature at Going Places Goes Global, Wednesday June 3.
- Epic Cocktail Creativity – Expect exotic flavors, dramatic garnishes, and cocktails inspired by places near and far when Crushing It With Cocktails returns with an all-new lineup of elite mixologists to shake things up alongside returning champion Afzal Kaba in the ultimate destination-inspired cocktail showdown. Competing for Best in Glass, Best Themed Cocktail and Crowd Crusher are Uly Vargas—Bludorn; Jesus Cruz—Xalisco, Nick Babock—Amrina, Haley Harper—Botonica, Tyler Silva—The Blind Finch, Obed Gallardo—Flora Mexican Kitchen, and Jacob Morgan—The Woodlands Country Club.
- Friday Night is the Ultimate Date Night – Sips, Suds & Savor delivers one of Houston’s best Friday night escapes with incredible value, endless bites and sips, live music, dancing, chef stations, wine discoveries, craft brews, cocktails, and an electric atmosphere that turns an ordinary night out into a global tasting adventure.
- Sip More Than 500 Wines – From celebrated classics like Duckhorn Sauvgninon Blanc to vault-worthy selections like Antnori, guests can taste wines from around the globe all week long.
- More Than 100 Chefs & Restaurants – Culinary talent from Houston and beyond gathers for one spectacular week of indulgence. This year meet chefs from Aruba, the Texas Hill Country, neighborhing Louisiana and more.
- Chef of Chefs Competition Heats Up – Restaurants from near and far battle Saturday night for culinary glory, a $5,000 cash prize and the coveted Chef of Chefs title.
- Ladies don’t just lunch—they lead at Ladies of the Vine –Raise a glass with some of the most dynamic voices in wine while enjoying an elegant four-course luncheon expertly paired with wines from the panelist’s own vineyards including Violet Grgich, Grgich Hills Estate, Stephanie Franklin with Franklin Vines, Janet Mietrschin of Portree Cellars and Kim Stare Wallace with Dry Creek Vineyard. It’s an afternoon that’s equal parts inspiring, empowering, and delicious.
- Meet Wine Icons & Rising Culinary Stars – From celebrated winemakers to Chopped TV Show champions and emerging chefs, the talent lineup is unmatched.
- Reserve Tastings Worth the Hype – Rare pours, premium vintages, and intimate tasting opportunities await serious wine lovers.
- Judges with serious chops— Industry leaders, master sommeliers, celebrated chefs, media personalities, and culinary insiders gather to judge Chef of Chefs and Crushing It With Cocktails, where every bite and sip is scored on creativity, presentation, and unforgettable flavor. It’s a hard job but fortunately these tastemakers give willingly of their palates.
- Sip for a purpose – You’ll be part of something bigger. Each event support local charities and community efforts like New Danville, The Woodlands Art Council, Montgomery County Food Bank and Second Chances.
- VIP Experiences That Elevate Everything – From luxury lounges to exclusive tastings, VIP guests enjoy the ultimate Wine & Food Week treatment. You can even reserve your on VIP table. Wine Education Without the Homework – Learn from sommeliers, winemakers, chefs, and industry insiders in experiences designed to entertain as much as educate.
More information: Get tickets and the full event lineup at Wine & Food Week.
Photos courtesy of Wine & Food Week