LEXINGTON, Ky. — Lexington’s Soulfeast is a week that celebrates the city’s Black culinary and cultural influences. The celebration runs through June 23.

What You Need To Know

  • Lexington's Soulfeast week is celebrating Black restaurants until June 23

  • Soulfeast Week celebrates Lexington's Black culinary, entertainment, and agriculture services in the community

  • One of Lexington's up-and-coming businesses is creating flavor for all palates

  • Wing KYing is one of 11 Black-owned restaurants and food service participating in Soulfeast

Thomas Williams has mastered the art of quickly chopping and loading up multiple fryers.

He’s helped by his oldest son TJ, and seven days a week, he spends his time creating over a dozen different sauces. “For me, it’s like the perfect canvas and then the different flavors —that was the emphasis, was trying to get more flavors versus more menu items,” Williams explained.

Each to top off wings at his restaurant, Wing KYng, which spells “king” with a capital K-Y for Kentucky.

His business has been at the corner of Greyline Station for a year. 

“Mainly, I’m working on trying to get that lunch crowd. But any time after 5 p.m. and 9 p.m., pretty much standing room only. Expect to wait at least 15 minutes.” 

Williams started pursuing entrepreneurship in 2017, working four years out of his home and two at the local bagel shop. He says he is thankful to be supported by his community.

“This is what it was about. You know, I came up working in food and just try to give opportunity to everybody that I love,” Williams said about his family ties to his business. 

It’s why this week, he’s put together a special meal, using his original sauce “Dirt Bowl Classic.”  

Wing KYing grew its business over seven years with local promotion from the community and partnerships. (Spectrum News 1/Sabriel Metcalf)

It’s named after an annual summer-long event in his neighborhood that brings folks together. 

“To come off of Georgetown Street. I said they’re both classics. No more flavor. That’s just pretty much commemorating the street in the community,” Williams said. “Didn’t always have a good name. So for us to change the city, you know, that means a lot.”

Williams is partnering with Lexington Soulfeast Week, which is several days of black culinary and cultural-themed activities, music and dishes around the city for people to enjoy. 

Each dish from the restaurants uses locally sourced food from Black soil. Williams uses potatoes from Larue County.

He hopes to shine a light on the impact of his community with this event, and Black-owned businesses like himself.

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