Rob Connoley brings Historic Ozark Dining to COMO Restaurant Week

James Beard finalist Rob Connoley is returning to Missouri this weekend for a seven-course Historic Ozark Dining experience in Columbia as part of COMO Restaurant Week. The sold-out Sunday dinner expanded to Friday and Saturday services, drawing statewide interest and adding to the event’s local economic and charitable impact.

Why it matters: - Historic Ozark Dining is bringing a nationally recognized chef back to Missouri for a rare, regionally focused dinner built around Ozark food traditions. - The event is drawing guests from across the state, which is expected to support Columbia hotels, restaurants and attractions during COMO Restaurant Week. - A portion of proceeds from Restaurant Week initiatives supports The Food Bank for Central & Northeast Missouri.

What happened: - COMO Restaurant Week is hosting Historic Ozark Dining this weekend in Columbia, Missouri. - Chef Rob Connoley is leading an immersive seven-course dinner in the historic ballroom of the Tiger Hotel. - The original Sunday dinner sold out quickly, and organizers added Friday and Saturday dinners to meet demand. - Optional wine pairings are available.

The details: - The menu is a contemporary take on historic Ozark cuisine, with a focus on the region’s agricultural heritage and seasonal ingredients. - Planned ingredients include acorns, pork, Missouri corn and fresh produce from local farms and the Columbia Farmers Market. - Local products also include beef from Herzog Farms and chocolate from Askinosie Chocolate. - Connoley is a James Beard Award finalist, a guest chef for the Smithsonian Institution and National Geographic, and an author. - Connoley said the dinner explores how German immigrants, Indigenous people and enslaved people influenced the food of the Ozarks. - Connoley also said the goal is to create an authentic meal that credits the right people and delivers a strong dining experience. - Historic Ozark Dining is a first-time inclusion among the signature experiences of COMO Restaurant Week. - COMO Restaurant Week is an annual event meant to encourage residents and visitors to discover Columbia’s restaurants, chefs and culinary experiences. - The event is supported by Columbia Regional Airport and City Club of Columbia.

Between the lines: - The expanded seating suggests strong appetite for heritage-driven dining and chef-led events tied to local identity. - The format blends culinary tourism with regional storytelling, which can make the event feel both exclusive and place-specific. - The food-bank tie-in gives Restaurant Week a civic angle beyond dining and promotion.

What's next: - Historic Ozark Dining runs Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Tiger Hotel. - COMO Restaurant Week will continue showcasing Columbia dining while raising funds for food insecurity efforts in central and northeast Missouri. - More information is available through COMO Restaurant Week.