The 21st annual Wine & Food Week returns to The Woodlands from Wednesday, May 28 through Saturday, May 31. This year’s theme is Crushing It!, meant as a tribute to the trailblazers and trendsetters pushing the food and wine industry forward. The 21+ event series features hundreds of wines, beer, spirits and food tastings from renowned local and international culinary talents. Tickets and packages for each event are available now on the website.

“As we embark on our 21st year, we’re Crushing It! — celebrating the innovators, the game-changers, and the passionate voices who are redefining the food and beverage scene,” said Constance McDerby, founder of Wine & Food Week. “From the vines to the kitchen, from the glass to the plate, every element comes together to create an experience that is both unforgettable and unmatched. Here’s to raising our glasses to the next era of culinary excellence!”

Events during the week of festivites are organized below by date. 

Wednesday, May 28

The festivities begin with Wine Around the World Wednesday, which highlights a plethora of globe-spanning wines with opportunities to mingle with industry experts spread out across multiple rooms. Event sponsor H-E-B is providing cheese selections, charcuterie, light bites and sweets. 

Thursday, May 29

Craft cocktail mavens will battle it out at the Crushing It with Cocktails! competition from 6 to 9 p.m. before a panel of esteemed judges — and one silly goose. The panel includes Thirst for Knowledge president and Pernod Ricard national account manager Monique Studak — of whom I was a student of at the University of Houston — Ladies of Libation co-founder Kris Sowell, The Drunken Diva aka Jamie Alvear, Milam & Greene Whiskey brand manager, USBG – Houston Chapter president and human library of whiskey knowledge Blair Ault and Andalusia Whiskey Co. market manager and Houston Food Finder associate editor Mario-Sebastian Berry. (That’s me, aka the silly goose.) 

The event includes a giant paella tasting, pizza and more from H-E-B, The Blind Finch and Bielina’s Catering & Services, as well as live music, and entertainment by burlesque performer Abby Cadabra.

Friday, May 30

Guests can kick back at the Sips, Suds & Savor date-night soirée filled with food, wine, beer, craft spirits and live music from the Shang & Byran Party Band and performances from the cast members of the Texas Renaissance Festival. Other fun additions include a caricature artist, face painting, selfie stations and a wine pull benefiting The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival. 

Saturday, May 31

Wine & Food Week culminates with the Wine Rendezvous Grand Tasting & Chef Showcase at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Ballroom, where chefs presenting culinary offerings from 35 restaurants engage in a little friendly competition for the coveted Chef of Chefs Culinary Award and a $5,000 cash prize. Competitors include chef Teddy Bouroncle (Lima Bistro, Aruba), Lena Trang (Lena’s Asian Kitchen), Beatriz Martines (Xalisco), Clayton Shaw (Bar Bludorn), David Guerrero (Andes Cafe), Kevin Le (Uchi Houston) and more.

Guests looking to celebrate in style can gain early access to the exclusive Bayway Cadillac VIP Luxury Lounge, featuring ultra-premium wines and an elevated, first-class experience in the private lounge alongside sommeliers, media and food judges and icons from events past, including returning Wine Rendezvous Chef of Chefs winner and celebrity chef Nancy Manlove. 

It’s all for a good cause as event producer, Food & Vine Time Productions, has raised over $2 million for various charitable organizations since the event’s inception. A portion of the proceeds from Woodlands Wine & Food Week 2025 benefit charitable organizations such as The Woodlands Arts Council, New Danville and the Montgomery County Food Bank, so you can feel good about getting the second (or fifth) libation. Just be sure to have a designated driver, take a rideshare or, best of all, stay overnight in one of the many nice hotels in The Woodlands. 

Mario-Sebastian Berry

Mario-Sebastian Berry is a wine and spirits vendor who has been in the hospitality industry since 2002. Currently, he represents Blanco, Texas-based Andalusia Whiskey Co. He holds numerous wine, beer and spirits certifications including Certified Sommelier. Somehow, he also finds time to be Houston Food Finder’s associate editor and social media manager.