7th Annual Baton Rouge Soul Food Festival Announces Stage Lineup, Contest Judges and Sponsors

BATON ROUGE, La. - EntSun -- The 7th Annual Baton Rouge Soul Food Festival announces stage lineup, Cooking Contest Judges and Sponsors.

Thursday, May 16 at Henry Turner Jr.'s Listening Room, located at 2733 North Street, is a 'Neck Bones, Rice & Beans and Gravy' Pre-Party, from 7:00pm to midnight. It includes performances by Henry Turner Jr. & Flavor and the Listening Room All-Stars. Tickets are $30.00 with buffet. No host bar.

The main festival, Saturday and Sunday, May 18 and 19  from 11:00am to 8:00pm at EPRPL-Main Library, 7711 Goodwood Boulevard, Baton Rouge, LA 70806 is family friendly and free. It features multiple genre of music. Highlights include a Soul Food Cooking Contest, Pioneer Award Presentation for contributions to the Soul Food industry, Vendor's Village and Food Court.

New to the festival this year from Louisiana are the Zydeco band Double Trouble, Gospel/Contemporary Christian singer Shawnte Floyd, Vince Hutchinson and the Heavy Storm Band, along with former Baton Rouge native Joe Tex II. Returning favorites include SmokeHouse Porter and Miss Mamie and Henry Turner Jr. & Flavor. Gospel and Contemporary Christian artists are Mike Da'Kidd, Pastor Leon Hitchens, Xavie Shorts and the House of God Gospel Choir. The Listening Room All-Stars include Owen Scott, Kelton 'Nspire Harper, Ervin "Maestro" Foster and My Better Half, featuring Jim Masters, Susie Shepherd, King Solomon Willis, Eddie "Cool" Deemer and Princess Teha. Additional returning talent are Southern Soul Singers Southern Magnolia, Krystal Parker and Katrina. Lisa Harris returns from California with her Tina Turner Tribute and coming in from Atlanta is the multigenerational Christian band Contemporary Worship. Hosts are Gisele Haralson, Kerwin Fealing, Evelyn Ware and Henry Turner Jr.

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The Soul Food Cooking Contest judges for this year are Nakia Wilson-Nelson, Miss Black Empowerment Pageant Director, writer/director Rita Rushing Jones, Rickey and Kwana Griffin, MasterChef and Culinary Institute of America Chef Shanika, Chef Larry Warren and Mrs. Black Empowerment Amanda Gradney.

Saturday at 1:00pm is the judging for Meats and Fish, Vegetable and Sides, followed by the Award Presentation at 3:40pm.  Sunday at 2:00pm is the judging for Appetizers and Soups, Breads and Desserts, Beverages and Drinks, followed by the Award Presentation at 4:20pm.

This year's Pioneer Award honoree is Paulette Thomas of The New Ethel's Snack Shack. The presentation is scheduled for 4:50pm on Saturday.

VIP tickets that include food, soft drinks are $25.00 per person. VIP tickets for two with T-shirts and additional perks are $100.00. Call 225-802-9681 or visit https://www.brsoulfoodfest.com.

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Sponsors are Visit Baton Rouge, East Baton Rouge Public Library, Synergy Bank, Planned Parenthood, Coco Bongos, Cutting Edge and Henry Turner Jr.'s Listening Room Museum Foundation.