Culinary Diversity on Display: Tampa Welcomes 1st Food from The Soul Festival

Food serves as a medium for conveying history and culture, with recipes being handed down through generations.

Last Saturday, Tampa played host to the inaugural “Food From The Soul” festival, which celebrated a rich tapestry of cultures, including African, Asian, Caribbean, Hispanic, and Native American, each offering insight into the origins of their culinary traditions.

“I created this festival to give Black, Indigenous, people of color a chance to be highlighted in their authenticity,” Kimberly Jackson, the founder of Food From The Soul said. “To show how our traditions, which are passed down from our parents and our grandparents, and how our love of food connects us all and creates memories, and family bonds you can just never get rid of.”

The festival encapsulates the narratives transmitted across generations, commencing within the heart of the kitchen.

Attendees at the festival relished a diverse array of cuisines while endorsing enterprises established by individuals from Black, Indigenous, and communities of color.

The festivities also included live performances, an exclusive wine tasting for VIPs, and an exhilarating food-themed competition.

Food From The Soul will contribute to both The Tampa Bay Vo-Tech High School Culinary Art Department and the Professional Opportunities Program for Students, aiming to inspire and cultivate the chefs of the future.