The Great Soul Food Cook-Off: 5 Shocking Secrets Behind The $50,000 TV Show And The 2025 Live Event

The Great Soul Food Cook-Off has evolved from a groundbreaking television series into a decentralized movement, celebrating Black culinary excellence across America. As of December 13, 2025, the spotlight shines on the highly anticipated 2025 "Taste of Soul" Soul Food Cook-Off in Dallas, Texas, while the legacy of the original, star-studded TV show continues to inspire a new generation of chefs. This unique competition format, whether on a major network or at a local community center, is a powerful tribute to the history, creativity, and sheer flavor of soul food, a cuisine that forms the foundation of American cooking.

The core intention behind any "Great Soul Food Cook-Off" is to elevate and honor the dishes passed down through the African diaspora, moving beyond stereotypes to showcase the contemporary skill of Black chefs. From the $50,000 grand prize on the small screen to the fierce local battles for the "People's Choice" award, these events are more than just cooking contests; they are cultural celebrations of resilience, family, and extraordinary flavor.

The TV Phenomenon: OWN's Landmark Culinary Competition

In a historic move, the cuisine of Black America finally received a dedicated, high-stakes cooking show with the premiere of The Great Soul Food Cook-Off on OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network and Discovery+ in November 2021. This six-episode series was the first of its kind, designed to celebrate soul food as the foundation of American cuisine and pay tribute to African American chefs.

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The show's format saw eight talented chefs go head-to-head in challenges that highlighted both the past and present of Black food in America. The competition was fierce, with contestants vying for a significant $50,000 grand prize.

The Star-Studded Judges and Host

A major factor in the show's success was its panel of esteemed culinary personalities, who brought both expertise and cultural reverence to the judging table. The line-up included:

• Host: Kardea Brown. A Food Network star and contemporary Southern cook, Brown was born and raised in coastal South Carolina, an epicenter of Southern food culture.
• Judge: Eric Adjepong. A Top Chef finalist and first-generation Ghanaian-American, Adjepong brought a global perspective on African diaspora cuisine.
• Judge: Melba Wilson. The renowned Harlem-based restaurateur and owner of Melba's Restaurant, famous for introducing Prince Harry to chicken and waffles. Wilson was also known for leading the group in prayer before judging, emphasizing the spiritual aspect of soul food.

The show also featured a rotating cast of influential guest judges, including Tanya Holland, Alexander Smalls, BJ Dennis, Tiffany Derry, Millie Peartree, and Kwame Onwuachi, further cementing the show’s topical authority and connection to Black culinary excellence.

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The Season 1 Winner: Chef Razia

The inaugural season was won by Chef Razia, who delivered an emotional and powerful statement upon her victory. Her win was a testament to the show's mission, proving that soul food is a cuisine worthy of the highest culinary stage.

Chef Razia’s benediction for the series perfectly encapsulated the show's spirit: "I came here to show the world that soul food is beautiful." This statement resonated with OWN President Tina Perry, who noted that soul food describes a style of cuisine that represents the creativity and skill of Black cooks from many cultures within the African diaspora.

The 2025 "Taste of Soul" Cook-Off: The Current Culinary Battle

While the fate of the television series remains a topic of speculation, the spirit of the competition thrives at the local level. The most current and highly anticipated event is the annual "Taste of Soul" Soul Food Cook-Off, hosted by the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center in Dallas, Texas. This event is a centerpiece of the community's Black History Month celebrations.

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The 2025 event is scheduled for Saturday, February 22, 2025, and promises a vibrant celebration of food, culture, and community. Admission is free, allowing the public to enjoy free samples, live entertainment, and raffles.

The Categories, Prizes, and Reigning Champion

The Dallas competition offers a comprehensive look at the diversity of soul food, with chefs competing in four distinct categories:

• Meat
• Sides/Appetizers
• Desserts
• Vegan/Vegetarian

First place in each category is awarded a $500 prize, but the ultimate goal is the $750 Grand Prize and the coveted "People's Choice" award, determined by a collective vote from the community.

The chef to watch in 2025 is Cortez of Big Juicy's Soul Food & More restaurant. Cortez is the two-time reigning champion in the Meat category, having won in 2023 with his signature chili and defending his title in 2024 with a standout Cajun chicken pasta.

Cortez's success is deeply personal, rooted in his family's culinary traditions. He credits his passion for cooking to his grandmother, stating that his wins are a way of making her proud. His dedication to fresh, flavorful cooking embodies the heart of soul food.

The Enduring Legacy of Soul Food and Competition

The existence of both a major TV show and thriving local events under the banner of a "Great Soul Food Cook-Off" signifies a crucial moment for this cuisine. It represents a powerful cultural shift, moving soul food from a regional or historical footnote to a celebrated form of Black culinary excellence on a national stage.

The competitions often challenge chefs to modernize classic dishes while still paying homage to their roots. For instance, the TV show's challenges included the famous "meat and three" tradition, forcing competitors to master staples like fried chicken, collard greens, mac and cheese, and cornbread.

From Africa to American Cuisine

Soul food's history is inextricably linked to the journey of Black Americans, originating in the earliest African American communities. It is a cuisine of innovation and resilience, taking ingredients available to enslaved people and transforming them into dishes of profound cultural significance. The competitions serve to educate the public on this rich history, which has been chronicled in works like the documentary High on the Hog.

The emphasis on categories like the vegan/vegetarian division in the Dallas cook-off shows the cuisine's evolution. While traditional soul food often focuses on rich, savory meats and sides, contemporary Black chefs are pushing boundaries, proving that dishes like sweet potatoes and various vegetable preparations can be both authentic and innovative.

Topical Authority Entities in Soul Food

To truly understand the depth of this culinary scene, it is essential to recognize the key ingredients and personalities that define it. The following entities are central to the discourse surrounding soul food and its competitions:

• Culinary Professionals: Kardea Brown, Eric Adjepong, Melba Wilson, Chef Razia, Cortez, Tina Perry, Alexander Smalls, Tiffany Derry, Kwame Onwuachi.
• Iconic Dishes: Fried Chicken, Collard Greens, Mac and Cheese, Cornbread, Sweet Potatoes, Chili, Cajun Chicken Pasta, Peach Cobbler, Black-Eyed Peas.
• Cultural Concepts: African Diaspora, Black History Month, Southern Cooking, People's Choice Award, Culinary Competition, Resilience, Melba's Restaurant, MLK Jr. Community Center.

These contests, whether televised or local, are a vibrant, flavor-packed way to keep the tradition alive, ensuring that the stories and skills of Black cooks continue to shape the global culinary landscape. The next great soul food dish is always just around the corner, waiting to be discovered.