PREVIEW: Albany Gets Its Groove Back at Chefs’ Food and Wine Festival
1/22-1/24 @ Albany Capital Center, Albany
“Food is the hook, but art is what stays with you.”
For 16 years and counting, the Albany Chefs’ Food and Wine Festival has proven that a city can eat well and do good at the same time. From January 22-24, 2026, one of the Capital Region’s favorite festivals will return with a full weekend of indulgence, community spirit, and a groovy twist that feels perfectly timed. This year, the festival leans into a disco soaked 1970s theme, inviting bellbottoms, disco balls, and nostalgia on the floor with fine wine, inventive dishes, and a deep commitment to the local arts.
Marcus Pryor, president of the festival, still talks about the event in the same way someone does when they remember a scrappy idea that somehow grew into a long tradition. The festival began during the recession, when Albany cut funding to local arts organizations. Pryor recalls that moment clearly, especially the threat it posed to the Capital Repertory Theatre, then facing a major budget gap. The solution was a bold one: highlight local chefs and the region’s wine scene, celebrate creativity in all its forms, and use the proceeds to keep the arts alive. In its first year, the festival netted about $40K. The idea worked, and it continues to work all these years later.
Over time, the festival expanded its reach and sharpened its mission, even as it continued to draw in some of the Capital Region’s most familiar culinary voices. Chefs like Yono Purnomo and teams from restaurants such as DP Brasserie, 677 Prime, The Hollow Bar + Kitchen, and Innovo Kitchen have helped shape the festival’s character over the years, bringing a sense of place to every tasting room. Pryor emphasizes that the funding generated by that collective effort is unrestricted, something he believes is essential. “If you need to buy toilet paper, go get your Charmin,” he says, half joking and fully serious about the importance of trust and flexibility for nonprofit partners. Today, the festival supports seven arts organizations, including Empire State Youth Orchestra, Black Theatre Troupe of Upstate New York, and Albany Center Gallery, prioritizing equity while directing the majority of proceeds to those with the greatest impact.
That philosophy holds true in Pryor’s own history in Albany’s arts scene. He speaks with pride about moments when festival funding helped make productions possible, including performances that elevated marginalized voices and reflected the community back to itself. Those moments, he says, are the quiet victories that make the work worth it.
What has also become clear is that the festival’s influence stretches far beyond the arts. Pryor describes it as an economic engine for Albany, one that draws visitors, fills hotel rooms, and gives people a reason to experience the city in winter. “It has become a stitch in the fabric of our tourism industry,” he says. What began as a fundraiser is now part of how Albany tells its story — a signature event that residents and visitors alike plan their calendars around.
For 2026, the festival is trading geographic themes for a musical moment in time. The ‘70s-inspired concept runs through the entire weekend, from the grand gala to themed events that invite both chefs and attendees to have fun with the era. Pryor laughs about his own excitement, admitting he recently added a disco ball ornament to his Christmas tree as a preview of what is to come. Expect playful nods to retro flavors, classic delights, and chefs reimagining comfort food with modern flair.
Another defining feature is how seamlessly the festival now weaves art into every corner of the experience. Visual artists, performers, and interactive installations appear throughout the venues, turning tastings into immersive moments. Pryor credits fresh voices on the board and strong community partnerships for pushing the festival to engage all the senses. According to Pryor, “Food is the hook, but art is what stays with you.”
Pryor does not talk about numbers first when thinking about success. He thinks of people first. People having fun, forgetting their worries for a night, and leaving knowing their good time supported something meaningful. “You do not have to come because you love the arts,” he says. “You are going to have a great time. And at the end of the day, you will look back and say it meant something.”
That combination of joy and purpose is why Albany Chefs’ Food and Wine Festival continues to keep appetite always craving more. It feeds the city beyond the plate, proving that food and art still give people a reason to show up and stay awhile.
The Albany Chefs’ Food & Wine Festival is happening January 22-24, 2026 @ Albany Capital Center. For more information, visit: https://www.albanywinefest.com/