BATON ROUGE, La. - s4story -- The 4th Annual Baton Rouge Soul Food Festival announces the Cooking Contest is now open. The five categories are Meats, Vegetable and Side Dishes, Breads and Desserts, Appetizers and Soups, Beverages and Ices. Criteria is Presentation, Taste, and Story or History behind the entry. Ten contestants in each category will be pre-selected by the judging committee. Entry fees are $20.00. $30.00 for walk-ups. Contestants need to bring enough food for six people the day of the festival. First, second and third place prizes will be awarded in each category. Downloadable forms and additional instructions are available on the website.

The festival is Saturday, June 26 from 11:00am to 8:00pm and Sunday, June 27 from 11:00am to 7:00pm at River Front Plaza, 300 River Road South, in Baton Rouge. The festival is family friendly, free to the public and features a Vendors Village. VIP tickets include food, beverages and photo ops.

More on S For Story

• World-Renowned Body Language Expert Mark Bowden Headlines INSPIRE Northwest 2026 in Wenatchee, WA
• HOA Emperor by Kerry Lutz Brings Organized Crime Into the World of Homeowners Associations
• In The Name Publishing Announces Pre Orders for Power Magazine Issue 2
• ASN Software Introduces New California CARS Act Dealer Updates
• USA Air Management Marks 30 Years of Air Duct Cleaning in NJ Urges Homeowners to Schedule Dryer Vent Cleaning Before Heating Season

The Pioneer Award, presented on Saturday for outstanding contributions to the soul food industry is Lizzie's Restaurant, founded in 2016 by Lizzie Griffin's children Ricky and  Kwanda. Using her tried and true recipes the restaurant was an instant hit, as Lizzie was famous for lovingly making hearty soul food for patrons of the bar room Night Cap.

The talent lineup features gospel, contemporary Christian, soul, blues and R&B artists. Some of them to date include the blues, soul, funk reggae band Henry Turner, Jr. & Flavor and the Listening Room All-Stars Larry "LZ" Dillon, 'Nspire and the Inspire band, comedian Eddie "Cool" Deemer, artist Wyanda Paul, Pastor Leon Hutchins, Xavie Shorts, Simon Oguinye, Owen Scott and Greg Robinson. Also joining the lineup are blues greats SmokeHouse Porter and Miss Mamie, with a special guest appearance by the legendary Kenny Neal. Touring acts are motivation rapper and Special Olympian David "Price $$ Lion" Steffan from Nebraska, folk blues singer Jonathan Foster from Northern California, Mississippi R&B singer James Jr., Texas based R&B singers Lady Bain and singer/songwriter Melerbee. Gospel acts include Lafayette based Anthony R. Veal, Sr. & The Pew and Konai Adelphe from Knoxville, Tennessee. Hosts are DJ Teddy Lloyd Johnson and television personality Whitney Vann. Co-host for Sunday is Gospel announcer Kerwin Fealing. Stage times and more acts will be announced closer to the date.

More on S For Story

• Dr. Jay Johannigman Returns to Cincinnati Following 46 Years of Military Service
• Allstream Energy Partners, SEO Experts in Oil and Gas, Awarded Gas Processing OEM Agreement
• Growth Story Expands: $54.6M Contract, $30M Revenue Run Rate, 800+ Customers, 50+ Patents & New AI Cybersecurity Products for Cycurion, Inc $CYCU
• Sky Quarry Restarts Nevada's Only Crude Oil Refinery — A Major New Chapter Begins in This Highly Lucrative sector for N A S D A Q: SKYQ
• Nutriband Inc. (N A S D A Q: NTRB) Breaks Into Uncharted Territory: 52-Week High Eclipsed as Shares Surge 22% —AVERSA™ Puts Investors on High Alert

Presenting sponsor is Louisiana Film Channel. Sponsors include Blue Runner, Henry Turner Jr.'s Listening Room Museum Foundation, Piyahhhhh!! Seasonings, Cutting Edge Music Conference and River Parishes Tourist Commission. Community Partners are Visit Baton Rouge, Tactical Impact Security, Off Beat Magazine and Where Y'at Magazine and Pushback LLC.

More info at http://www.brsoulfoodfest.com or call 225-802-9681.