New Lexington dining event: SoulFeast Week spotlights Black chefs, farmers
Central Kentucky will have a chance to celebrate Black culinary excellence, including Black farmers, with a new food dining event debuting in June.
SoulFeast Week will be June 17-27, according to founder Martina Barksdale. In 2020, Barksdale and her twin brother Marcellus launched the #19DaysOfBlackBiz challenge to stimulate economic growth at Black-owned businesses across Central Kentucky.
Last summer, as protesters rallied in Lexington and around the world following the deaths of Breonna Taylor, George Floyd and others, Barksdale and other Lexington supporters of the Black community put together lists of Black-owned or operated restaurants for people to support.
Now, the new Black restaurant week is designed to spotlight ties Black agriculture, farm to table, Barksdale said.
Working with Black Soil, the 11-day event will include a dozen special dining experiences in and around Lexington. Some of the experiences will be on local farms. Tickets are available online at soulfeastweek.com.
Local Black-owned or operated restaurants also will be able to participate at no charge and will offer unique off-menu food items, according to a news release. The restaurants will use at least one food item or ingredient sourced through Black Soil. Other restaurants also can participate by “adopting” a featured chef to craft a special dish.
Honeywood at The Summit at Fritz Farm is hosting a brunch, which will be prepared by Chef Lawrence Weeks.
Barksdale said that the list of participating restaurants and their special dishes will be announced soon.
Events, which are individually priced, will include:
▪ SoulFeast Kickoff Soiree at Guide Realty
▪ Seafood boil at Silver Springs Farm Eqwine & Vineyard in Lexington
▪ Juneteeth Hip-Hop Brunch at Origin Hotel
▪ Cocktails & Cigars with the Kentucky Black Bourbon Guild at Jack’s Sandbar & Grill
▪ Blues & Chews at Tee Dee’s Lounge
▪ KBBG Bourbon History Dinner at Origin Hotel
▪ Champagne & Fried Chicken Dinner at Coleman Crest Farm
▪ Beads & Beignets at Creaux
▪ SoulChef Virtual Cooking Class from Black Soil’s Virtual Kitchen
▪ SoulFeast Saturday at The Summit at Fritz Farm
▪ SoulFul Sunday Gospel Brunch at Honeywood
▪ SoulFeast Awards at Origin Hotel.
This story was originally published May 12, 2021 at 8:26 AM.
