8th Annual Baton Rouge Soul Food Festival Cooking Contest Now Open to Entrants

BATON ROUGE, La. - Feb. 25, 2025 - PRLog -- The 8th Annual Baton Rouge Soul Food Festival will be held May 17 and 18 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, Sean "I.B. Hood" Huey of Café Express and Paulette Thomas of the New Ethel's Shake Shack.

The stage lineup is expected to include Henry Turner Jr. & Flavor and the Listening Room All-stars including Ervin "Maestro" Foster, Kelton 'Nspire Harper, Pastor Leon Hitchens, Kevin White and comedian Eddie "Cool" Deemer. Touring acts include the Outlaw David James. Additional local acts include LA Groove. More acts will be announced closer to the date.

A Pre-party will be held on Thursday, May 15 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.

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 on Goodwood Boulevard on Saturday and Sunday, May 17 and 18 at the 8th Annual Baton Rouge Soul Food Festival!