Baton Rouge Soul Food Festival Cooking Contest Open to Entrants

BATON ROUGE, La. - March 11, 2024 - PRLog -- 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.

The Soul Food Cooking Competition is now open to entrants and 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. For more information call 225-802-9681 or visit https://www.brsoulfoodfest.com.

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 "I.B. Hood" Huey.

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 and Joe Tex II, among others. More acts will be announced closer to the date.

So get ready for great food from Louisiana and its surrounding southern neighbors, incredible music from local and national touring musicians and more at the Main Library at Independence Park on Saturday and Sunday, May 18 and 19 at the 7th Annual Baton Rouge Soul Food Festival!