7th Annual Baton Rouge Soul Food Festival

Start: Saturday, May 18, 2024 11:00AM
End: Sunday, May 19, 2024 8:00PM

The 7th Annual Baton Rouge Soul Food Festival will be held May 18 and 19 at East Baton Rouge Parish Library – Main Library, 7711 Goodwood Boulevard, Baton Rouge, LA 70806, from 11:00am to 8:00pm daily. The family friendly event is free to the public. It features blues, soul, R&B, gospel and Christian music, along with a Vendor’s Village, a judged Soul Food Cooking Contest and Pioneer Award for contributions to the Soul Food industry. Lawn seating so bring your chairs. VIP tickets that include food, soft drinks, photo ops are $25.00 per person. VIP tickets for two that include T-shirts, a free CD of “Now” by co-headliner Henry Turner Jr. & Flavor and additional perks are $100.00. A Pre-party will be held on Thursday, May 16 at Henry Turner Jr.’s Listening Room located at 2733 North Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802, from 7:00pm midnight. Admission is $30.00 and includes a Soul Food buffet and no-host bar. For more information call 225-802-9681 or visit www.brsoulfoodfest.com. The stage lineup is expected to include Henry Turner Jr. & Flavor and the Listening Room All-stars Ervin “Maestro” Foster, Jim Masters Foster, Kelton ‘Nspire Harper, Pastor Leon Hitchens, Kevin White, poet Sir AP, comedian Eddie “Cool” Deemer, Owen Scott, Xavie Shorts, Princess Teha and country singer Susie Shepard, among others. More acts will be announced closer to the date. The Soul Food Cooking Competition, highlights regional favorites from Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and Florida. Categories include Meats, Vegetable and Side Dishes, Breads and Desserts, Appetizers and Soups, Beverage and Ices. Criteria includes Presentation, Taste, and the Story or History behind each dish. Ten entrants in each category will be pre-selected by the Soul Food screening committee. Upon acceptance the entry fee is $20.00, $30.00 for walk-ups, if slots are available. Contestants need to bring enough food for six people the day of their judging. First, second and third place prizes will be awarded in each category. Downloadable forms and additional instructions are available on the website. Vendor slots are also available. The Pioneer Award for contributions to the Soul Food industry will be announced closer to the date. Past winners include Joe Delpit owner of the Chicken Shack, Cynthia Green of Owen’s Grocery and Market, Ricky and Kawanda Griffin of Lizzie’s Restaurant, Miss Dee of D’s Southern Soul Café and Sean Huey.