As Olympics approach, Midlands eateries to participate in first Restaurant Summer Games

In coming weeks, the 2024 Summer Olympic Games will take place in Paris, France, bringing together many of the best athletes from countries across the planet.

Meanwhile, Columbia is set to have its own kind of games, with restaurants representing nations across the culinary world.

The first Columbia Restaurant Summer Games are set to take place from 5 to 8 p.m. Aug. 4 at Boyd Plaza on Main Street. French restaurant Hampton Street Vineyard is hosting the event, and it is slated to feature feature seven Midlands restaurants boasting cuisine from various nations. Those include Bierkeller (Germany), Hampton Street Vineyard (France), Ratio (Peru), Hanabi (Japan), Villa Tronco (Italy), Bodhi Thai Dining (Thailand) and The War Mouth (United States), according to a release.

Proceeds from the ticketed event will go to various local charitable agencies, with each restaurant identifying a different group to support. (Villa Tronco, as an example, will support Oliver Gospel Mission, according to restaurant officials.)

“With the Olympics happening in Paris this year, as a French restaurant, we couldn’t help but be inspired to host our own summer games,” Hampton Street Vineyard owner Jonathan Lopez said in a statement. “It quickly became clear that this should be a fundraising event, because we’re so passionate about our community and know that our fellow local restaurants and Columbia food lovers are, too.”

Tickets for the Aug. 4 event start at $65, and the event will feature walk-around food and cocktail tastings, an open bar featuring beer from Bierkeller , a live DJ, photo booths and various games including ping-pong, and soccer. The Columbia Summer Games will also feature competitions among chefs from the various restaurants, as well as a cocktail challenge featuring bartenders from the establishments.

The Aug. 4 Restaurant Summer Games will take place on what will be a big international weekend for Columbia. On Aug. 3, Premier League soccer clubs Liverpool and Manchester United will play a match at Williams-Brice Stadium.