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A huge celebration of Black cuisine and culture is heading to Tanger Deer Park this September — and it promises to be one unforgettable feast.
On Saturday, Sept. 6, The Cookout: A Celebration of Black Cuisine will take over the shopping center with food, music, celebrity guests and more, all hosted by The Black Culinary Expo.
“The Cookout was born out of a deep desire to celebrate Black culinary excellence and culture on a large scale,” said the group’s founder, Judith Jacques. “Food is universal — but it’s also deeply cultural.”
More than just food
Yes, you’ll want to show up hungry — but this festival is much more than a food crawl. The day will feature:
- Live chef demonstrations
- Over 100 food and wine vendors
- A small business marketplace
- Celebrity appearances and entertainment
- A kids zone and gaming area
- Talks on farming, homesteading and sustainability
- Chef battles with live judging
One of the highlights: a live cook-off judged by celebrity chefs and culinary experts. DJ Vargas will keep the energy high with music throughout the day, and Cortez Smith from the award-winning drama The Chi will emcee the event.
Jacques is expecting a massive turnout — over 20,000 people. Click here for tickets.
event partner and vendor Chef Kenny Ware, co-owner of Backyard Barbeque for “The Cookout heads to Tanger with food, music, and Black culinary pride” article that I promised to send.
“I found out about the event on social media and I wanted to participate because I want to make sure the light is shined on Black culinary professionals and you can’t have a cookout without Backyard Barbeque,” said event partner and vendor Chef Kenny Ware, co-owner of Backyard Barbeque. “I have been in the industry for 15 years. The business was created by my dad right before the pandemic. During the pandemic, me and my business partner Micheal Toney purchased it from him.”
Meet the chefs
Among the featured vendors is Kareem Phillip, aka Chef Slim, owner of Thank Me Later Eatery. He fuses American classics with Caribbean roots and will be throwing down in the chef competition.
“I’m hoping to build deeper connections with not just the Long Island community but introduce people to the unique flavor combinations from my diaspora,” said Phillip. “I want people to recognize that America is a huge melting pot and the sooner we embrace it the better.”
Chef Cheryl Grigg (pictured above, inset) of Chara’s Kitchen, a family-inspired business she’s been running for over 18 years, will also be on hand that Friday to share her food — and connect.
“A lot of Black entrepreneurs don’t have businesses that are further along to look up to for mentorship,” she said. “This event puts everyone together to pick each other’s brains and learn something.”
A mission with meaning
According to the National Urban League, nearly half of Black-owned businesses are less than two years old — and many face steep challenges accessing capital and growth resources.
That’s why Jacques says The Cookout isn’t just a festival.
It’s a movement.
“For too long, Black chefs, culinary creatives and food entrepreneurs have been overlooked in mainstream festivals,” she said. “I wanted to create a platform that not only amplifies their talents, but also builds economic opportunities, fosters community pride and bridges cultural gaps.”
She added: “I hope attendees leave with their hearts happy and their bellies full.
“More importantly, I hope they feel pride in seeing Black excellence represented so powerfully.”
Correction: The initial publication of this article incorrectly stated that Sept. 6 is a Friday. It is a Saturday.
Follow the fun
Top: The green at Tanger Deer Park (Credit: Tanger Deer Park) Inset: Chef Cheryl Grigg (Credit: Chara’s Kitchen)
