Special Events
Foodie festival in Dallas will celebrate black-owned restaurants
A week-long foodie festival is coming to Dallas to showcase the area's top black culinary talent. Called Black Restaurant Week (BRW), it's the largest celebration of black-owned food businesses, and will take place from October 13-20.
Black-owned restaurants across the metroplex will be offering exclusive prix fixe menus starting at just $10.
In addition, BRW will host Nosh & Power of the Palate, a culinary showcase and bartending competition on October 17 featuring the area's top black caterers, executive chefs, and bartenders.
A release describes Black Restaurant Week as an annual, multi-city culinary movement celebrating the flavors of African, African-American, and Caribbean cuisine nationwide. It was founded in 2016 by entrepreneurs Warren Luckett, Falayn Ferrell, and Derek Robinson.
Beyond its mission to exhibit black-owned culinary businesses and professionals, it calls attention to minority inequality in the food and beverage industry.
"Black-owned restaurants are often an afterthought in the overall culinary industry," says Derek Robinson. "We wanted to create a platform that elevates black culinary professionals and brings them to an equal playing field. As a result, we've cultivated a sustainable campaign that offers more than a typical food festival. Participants walk away from Black Restaurant Week with the resources, knowledge, and revenue to build a legacy."
This year’s lineup will feature local black-owned spots such as
- Mahogany's Soul
- Shells and Tails 2 Geaux
- Peace Love and Eatz
- Lo-Lo's Chicken & Waffles
- Island Spot
- Kookie Haven
The 2019 roster will be live at DFWBRW.com prior to the kick-off.
The tour also hits Houston, Philadelphia, New Orleans, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and the Bay Area. This is the second year the festival has come to DFW. Robinson says they tried to expand outside of Dallas proper.
"We want the folks in Fort Worth, Plano, Carrollton, etc. to join in on the celebration and be a part of this culinary movement," he says.
The showcase takes place at the Empire Room on October 17, from 6-10 pm. Tickets range from $30 to $75.
A portion of the proceeds goes to farmers. The organization will make a donation to Family Agriculture Resource Management Services (F.A.R.M.S.) in support of its efforts to provide legal and technical services to farmers of color.
