There’s a new food festival launching this fall that will celebrate Black-owned restaurants in Chicago.
The organization Black People Eats has launched Blacktober: an event that will spotlight Black-owned eateries all October long through meal deals and special events.
“We’re expanding the impact of the culture by bringing you restaurant specials every weekend in October,” organizers stated on the event’s website. “Plus, we are facilitating a virtual experience that connects you to the people behind the food.”
There are 75 Black-owned restaurants currently registered for Blacktober.
Joyce said that he’s using the momentum from his successful Juneteenth promotion, where he raised the awareness of more than 70 Black-owned restaurants in Chicago and the holiday that recognizes Black slaves’ emancipation in America.
In addition to the specials at participating restaurants, Joyce said he rounded up more than a dozen chefs who contributed to a digital cookbook that features some of the chefs’ favorite recipes.
Live virtual cooking demos will be featured every Thursday throughout October, and participants will be able to burn some of those calories from the amazing food through live virtual workouts every Saturday. All of the events are free with the general admission ticket, and you can purchase your food kits for the cooking demos at the restaurant’s location.
Purchasing a VIP ticket will grant you VIP access to the chef’s live virtual cooking demo, a virtual happy hour with Joyce, virtual game nights, a virtual Afrobeats dance class, and more.
For more information on event times and locations, visit Black People Eats or purchase a ticket here.