MLK Soul Food Cook-Off Launches

MUSKOGEE, OK -- Celebrated Oklahoma multi-cultural tourism executive, Cassandra Gaines, has launched The Dr. Martin Luther King Soul Food Cook-Off, headquartered in Muskogee Oklahoma, and quickly spreading across the country. The Soul Food Cook-Off is a local, regional and national competition to showcase the best soul food chefs in communities nationwide and provide a unique family entertainment venue. The Cook-Off features good food, fun, cash prizes and an educational component regarding the history of soul food cooking and cooking tips from some of the top chefs.

Launched in February, 2005, in Muskogee, Oklahoma, the Cook-Off has generated growing interest and excitement, and is quickly becoming an institution. Cities welcoming the landmark event in 2010 included Little Rock, Arkansas; Tulsa and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Jackson, Mississippi and Beaumont, Texas. In each city, the event has featured some of the finest local chefs, until now unheralded, and a sell-out crowd.

"The Dr. Martin Luther King Soul Food Cook-Off is the perfect venue to celebrate the rich African American heritage of soul food," says Gaines. "We bring together a diverse community of people who enjoy the tradition of enjoying good food together and having fun!" she added. Plans for 2011 are shaping up and The National Soul Food Cook-Off hopes to expand to Plano and Austin Texas; Nashville, Pittsburgh, Montgomery, Alabama; South Carolina and New York. Chefs from across the country are invited to participate.

Sponsors are a key to success for the Cook-Off. The next one will be the Dr. Martin Luther King soul Food Cook Off on Jan. 15, 2011 in Muskogee, Oklahoma. This event will be held at the Muskogee Civic Center located at 425 Boston Street.

"We are proud to have some of the producers from the National PBS affiliates, to come to our city and film part of the soul food cook off to add to their "Soul Food Junkies" documentary that will air in 2011," Gaines says.