The 2026 Woodlands Wine & Food Week: Days of Wine and Feasting

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- It ages like fine wine, just getting better and better every year, and having just finished its 22nd year, the Woodlands Wine & Food Week and its presenting sponsor H-E-B, have grown up and just continue to knock it out of the park. This year’s theme ‘Going Places: Discover Where Wine Can Take You,’ and from Aruba to Mexico and beyond, attendees sipped and savored from Wednesday to Saturday, finding amazement at every turn. Food & Vine Time Productions’ Constance McDerby is a master at planning and organization that keeps attendees guessing each year. Her proven sponsors and relationships all centralized at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel & Convention Center account for the event’s continued success, all culminating Saturday evening with the Wine Rendezvous Grand Tasting & Chef Showcases.

Galveston caterer and private Chef Mary Bass in her first year participating took home The Chefs of Chef title, along with a $5,000 cash prize. The dish she offered to the judges was Mojo Shrimp, made from Jumbo Shrimp, a black bean puree, and Oaxacan sesame sauce with tomatillo and cotija, and its presentation would have impressed in the finest of restaurants. South African born Chef Paul Friedman from The Chefs Table, won Second Place and a $750 cash prize with his Sticky Pork Belly, made from a seared pork belly, guava sauce, and a carrot ginger purée. The Third Place winner, Chef Beatriz Martínes of Xalisco, won a $500 cash prize for her Pulpo Maya, a dish of grilled Spanish octopus marinated in achiote adobo, served with a Mayan pumpkin seed paste, charred habanero pearls, and a hoja santa–infused tortilla, accompanied by a fire-charred habanero sauce. For Best Dessert, Pastry Chef Diego Palacios from the Marriott Resort Aruba Stellaris Casino, won for his lovely coconut based desert chosen by the vote of the People.

Each year over 80 restaurants from the region and internationally, as well as hundreds of wines are featured to make it a truly global tasting adventure. Each evening of the week has a theme.

Wednesday kicked off with ‘Going Places Goes Global,’ with its international flair for Paris, ‘Emily in Paris’ in fact, with wines and treats sporting a French elegance, complete with a fashion show.

Thursday night kicked with ‘Crushing It With Cocktails!’ featuring the concoctions of nine mixologists battling for the People’s Choice, Best Themed, and Best in Glass drinks. Obed Gallardo took the People’s Choice, lovingly dubbed the Crowd Crusher, with his Hibiscus Flower, a gin-based cocktail. Amrina’s Nick Babcock, dressed as an airline pilot, presented his ‘Take the Red Eye,’ and won with Best Theme. The Best in Glass went to Mary Thorn’s Blind Finch mixologist Tyler Silva, whose ‘Take ‘Em to Tulum’, based on Chareau Aloe Liqueur. Earlier in the day the ‘Ladies of the Vine’ Luncheon, Tasting & Panel Discussion was held at Carlton Woods Club, where wines from the panelist’s vineyards were perfectly paired with four excellent courses. The panelists included Violet Grgich of Grgich Hills Estate; Stephanie Franklin with Franklin Vines; Janet Mietrschin of Portree Cellars; and Kim Stare Wallace with Dry Creek Vineyard.

Friday’s laid back ‘Sips, Suds & Savor,’ was a combination of craft brews, entertainment wines, and chef-inspired treats that brought a triptych of tasting arts to the attendees for the evening.

Saturday’s grand finale at The Wine Rendezvous Grand Tasting & Chef Showcase featured dozens and dozens of chefs who brought their culinary expertise to battle for the title ‘Chef of Chefs,’ with a regional panel of culinary and media judges.

“This year marked our 22nd annual celebration and this year’s theme, ‘Going Places,’” said Food & Vine Time founder Constance McDerby. “It perfectly reflects what wine, food, and travel experiences do—they transport us, connect us, and create unforgettable memories.”

Wine & Food Week is presented by H-E-B. Sponsored by: Bayway Cadillac of The Woodlands, Aruba Tourism, The Only Facial, LaCroix, Visit the Woodlands, Trinchero Family Estates, Riboli Family Wines, Duckhorn Wine, Dry Creek Vineyard, Michael David Winery, SpeedPro Imaging The Woodlands, The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel, Renewal by Anderson, Texas Renaissance Festival, Women Driving Business, Fit & Fabulous with Sarah Cain, Chareau Aloe Liquer, Satoma Tequila, Brother’s Bond Bourbon, The Whistle Pig, El Tesoro Tequila, Lyre & Thief, Montanya Rum, Glendalough Distillery, Woodlands Online, PaperCity Magazine, Hello Woodlands, KSTAR Country Radio, Community Impact, YELP, Infiniti Graphics, Genesis Photography, Video, Kelley Sweet Photography, Minor Details, Photography by Melissa Chapman, and SRG Photography with more announcements to follow.

Food & Vine Time Productions, producer of Wine & Food Week, has raised over $2 million dollars through various channels since its inception in 2002 for local charities and deserving non-profits.

Alcohol Disclaimer: This column is intended for entertainment purposes only. Please drink responsibly, not just for yourself, but for others around you.

Ruben can be reached at: ruben@montgomerycountynews.net

The Woodlands Wine & Food Week: wineandfoodweek.com

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