5th Annual Craft Food & Wine Festival Returns to Memphis
The Columns at One Commerce Square welcomed hundreds of guests for the 5th annual Craft Food & Wine Festival. Local chefs and wine vendors filled the space with handcrafted dishes and pours from regional vineyards. The energy was palpable—families, couples, and solo explorers moved between stalls, sampling bites and swapping stories with the people behind the brands.
What sets this festival apart is the mix of established Memphis names and newcomers. City Tasting Experiences gives startup vendors a stage at no cost, so you might discover a pop-up that turns into your next favorite spot. The lineup spanned barbecue, soul food, fusion, and desserts. Wine pairings came from Tennessee and surrounding states, with plenty of non-alcoholic options for designated drivers and all-ages guests.
Proceeds from every ticket go to Church Health, which provides healthcare to uninsured workers in hospitality and entertainment. Attendees weren’t just enjoying a Saturday—they were directly supporting neighbors who might otherwise go without care. That connection between food, community, and health stayed at the center of the day.
Organizers are already planning the next edition. If you missed this one, follow City Tasting Experiences for dates and ticket updates. Memphis food culture keeps growing, and this festival is a big part of why.
Church Health Receives $60,000+ from Festival Fundraisers
City Tasting Experiences has crossed a major milestone: over $60,000 raised for Church Health through the Craft Food & Wine Festival and related events. The nonprofit provides comprehensive healthcare to uninsured working individuals, many of whom work in restaurants, hotels, and entertainment venues. The funds support clinical services, screenings, and programs that help patients manage chronic conditions.
Church Health serves tens of thousands of patients each year—more than 54,000 patient encounters in recent years. Many of those patients work in the same industry that fuels Memphis tourism and nightlife. Cooks, servers, and venue staff often lack employer-sponsored health insurance. Church Health fills that gap with sliding-scale fees and a model built around wellness, not just crisis care.
The partnership between City Tasting Experiences and Church Health makes sense on every level. Food and hospitality workers nourish the city; the festival nourishes them back. Sponsors and attendees get to enjoy a great event while knowing their dollars go straight to people who need care.
As the festival grows, so does the impact. Organizers are aiming to raise even more in the coming years. To get involved, check out sponsorship opportunities or simply buy a ticket and show up.
Memphis Snack Fest to Showcase Local Foodpreneurs
Memphis Snack Fest is fast becoming a must-attend for anyone curious about the city’s food scene. City Tasting Experiences runs the event as a sister to the Craft Food & Wine Festival, with a focus on lighter bites, snacks, and innovative flavors. The vibe is casual and exploratory—perfect for discovering new vendors without committing to a full sit-down meal.
The festival is built around the idea that startup food vendors deserve a platform. Booth fees and overhead can keep talented cooks from ever reaching a broader audience. Sponsorships cover that cost, so chefs and foodpreneurs can show up, cook, and connect with customers. Some participants have gone on to open brick-and-mortar spots or expand their catering businesses.
Expect a mix of sweet and savory, familiar and unexpected. Past editions have featured everything from loaded fries to artisanal cookies, jerk chicken to vegan bowls. The crowd reflects Memphis itself—diverse, curious, and hungry for what’s next.
Dates and venue details for the next Memphis Snack Fest will be announced soon. Follow City Tasting Experiences on social media or sign up for the newsletter to get updates first.
Food, Fun, and Community at One Commerce Square
The Columns at One Commerce Square has become a favorite backdrop for City Tasting Experiences events. The downtown Memphis venue offers plenty of space for food stalls, a stage for live music, and room for guests to circulate without feeling cramped. On festival days, the building buzzes with locals and visitors who’ve come for the food and stayed for the atmosphere.
Events are designed to be welcoming for all ages and backgrounds. You’ll see families with kids, groups of friends, and solo diners who’ve decided to treat themselves. The lineups typically include non-alcoholic options, and the environment encourages connection rather than rushing. Vendors are happy to explain their dishes, share their stories, and point you to other stalls you might like.
Live music and entertainment round out the experience. The goal isn’t just to feed people—it’s to create a space where food, fun, and community intersect. Sponsors get visibility among a crowd that’s engaged and receptive. Attendees leave with full stomachs and a better sense of what Memphis has to offer.
If you haven’t been to an event at One Commerce Square yet, put it on your list. The address is 40 South Main, right in the heart of downtown. Parking and transit options are nearby, and the neighborhood is worth exploring before or after the festival.
City Tasting Experiences: Create. Cultivate. Connect.
City Tasting Experiences started with a simple idea: Memphis has incredible food talent, but not everyone gets a fair shot at reaching an audience. The organization’s three pillars—Create, Cultivate, Connect—guide everything they do. Create memorable experiences for food lovers. Cultivate awareness in the Memphis culinary scene. Connect the faces behind the local brands.
That last pillar matters more than it might sound. Food festivals can feel transactional—you pay, you eat, you leave. City Tasting Experiences wants you to meet the people behind the plates. Many vendors are first-time festival participants. They’re nervous, excited, and grateful for the chance. When you stop to chat, you’re not just a customer; you’re part of their story.
Sponsors make the model work. Their support covers venue costs, vendor fees, and the infrastructure that turns an idea into an event. In return, they reach a demographic that’s genuinely interested in food, local culture, and community. It’s a different kind of marketing—one that feels less like advertising and more like partnership.
As the Memphis food scene continues to evolve, City Tasting Experiences is helping to shape it. Whether you’re a sponsor, a vendor, or an attendee, there’s a place for you. Check out the Craft Food & Wine Festival, Memphis Snack Fest, or get in touch to learn how you can get involved.
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