LEXINGTON, Ky. — A new festival kicks off this week, showcasing Black culinary in Lexington.
This is the first of what organizers hope will be many SoulFeast Weeks in central Kentucky. It all starts with the SoulFeast Kickoff Soiree Thursday before the festival officially kicks off Friday. Throughout the week, there will be 12 events specifically designed to showcase Black agriculture from farm-to-table.
Here is a list of events people can attend:
- June 17: SoulFeast Kickoff Soiree at 6 p.m. at Guide Realty (1591 Winchester Rd. #104)
- June 18: Seafood Boil at 7 p.m. at Silver Springs Farm (3710 Leestown Rd.)
- June 19: Juneteenth Hip-Hop Brunch at noon at Origin Hotel Lexington (4174 Rowan)
- June 20: Castle & Key Cocktails and Cigars at 6 p.m. at Jack's Sandbar & Grill (2536 Larkin Rd.)
- June 21: Blues & Chews at Tee Dee's at 8 p.m. at Tee Dee's Lounge (266 E 2nd St.)
- June 22: Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey History Dinner at 6:30 p.m. at Origin Hotel Lexington (4147 Rowan)
- June 23: Champagne & Fried Chicken Dinner at 7 p.m. at Coleman Crest Farm (3723 Royster Rd.)
- June 24: Beads & Beignets at 6 p.m. at Crēaux (310 W Short St.)
- June 25: SoulChef Virtual Cooking Class at 7 p.m. at Black Soil Virtual Kitchen
- June 26: SoulFeast Saturday from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. at The Summit at Fritz Farm (120 Summit at Fritz Farm #155)
- June 27: SoulFul Sunday Gospel Brunch at noon at Honeywood (110 Summit at Fritz Farm #140)
- June 27: SoulFeast Awards at 6 p.m. at Origin Hotel Lexington (4174 Rowan)
These events come in addition to 13 participating restaurants offering a featured dish for less than $10. All the featured dishes will include at least one ingredient sourced from a Black farmer in Kentucky, thanks to a partnership with Black Soil. People can print out a passport, and get a stamp for each location they visit. The participating restaurants include:
- Alfalfa Restaurant
- Blue Skillet
- Crēaux
- From the Heart Catering
- Genesis Coffee House and Eatery
- Grimes's Fast Food
- Josanne's Homestyle Southern Kitchen
- Jack's Sandbar and Grill
- Mama Dee's Coney Island
- Mimi's Southern Style Cooking
- Sav's Restaurant & Gourmet Ice Cream
- The Social Vegan
- The Salad Bar
Paige Wilson, owner of Mama Dee's Coney Island, told Spectrum News 1 she is looking forward to the event.
“When she kind of explained it to me, the background, I watched videos on it and everything, I was totally excited,” Wilson said.
She also said this event comes at a great time, as the restaurant industry aims to bounce back post-pandemic restrictions.