The 9th Baton Rouge Soul Food Festival Sat. & Sun, May 23–24, 2026; 11:00 AM–8:00 PM each day; The grounds of the East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, 7711 Goodwood Boulevard, Baton Rouge, LA 70806
Three days of fabulous Southern cuisine and live music, a Vendor’s Village, a judged Soul Food Cooking Competition, and the Soul Food Pioneer Award Pre-party, Thurs, May 21, 2026, from 7:00 PM–Midnight at Henry Turner Jr.’s Listening Room, Baton Rouge, LA
Baton Rouge, LA (Dec. 17, 2025)…The 9th Baton Rouge Soul Food Festival will be held Sat. & Sun, May 23–24, 2026 at the East Baton Rouge Parish Library – Main Library, 7711 Goodwood Boulevard, Baton Rouge, LA 70806, from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM 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 the 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, Vegetables and Side Dishes, Breads and Desserts, Appetizers and Soups, Beverages and Ices. Criteria include 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. There is no charge for festival food vendors. 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 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. Additional acts will be announced closer to the date.
A Pre-party will be held on Thursday, May 14, at Henry Turner Jr.’s Listening Room located at 2733 North Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802, from 7:00 PM until Midnight. Admission is $30.00 and includes a Soul Food buffet and a 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 16 and 17 at the 9th Annual Baton Rouge Soul Food Festival!
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