LEXINGTON, Ky. — A new festival kicks off this week, showcasing Black culinary in Lexington. 

What You Need To Know

  • This is the first year of SoulFeast Week in central Kentucky

  • The festival is meat to highlight Black farmers, chefs, restaurants, vendors and caterers

  • There will be a number of dining experiences over the 10-day festival

  • 13 participating restaurants will feature at dish using at least one ingredient from a Black farmer in Kentucky

 

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:

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.