News Summary
This weekend, Detroit will host a range of exciting events celebrating culinary arts, local culture, and community engagement. Highlights include the Collard Green Cook-Off Championship, the 6th Annual Taco Showdown, the 26th Annual Summer Beer Festival, and the inaugural Chinatown Block Party, showcasing food, entertainment, and the rich cultural diversity of the city.
Detroit is set to host a series of vibrant and diverse events this weekend, celebrating culinary arts, local culture, and community spirit. Among the highlights are the Collard Green Cook-Off Championship, the 6th Annual Taco Showdown, the 26th Annual Summer Beer Festival, and the inaugural Chinatown Block Party.
Collard Green Cook-Off Championship
The Collard Green Cook-Off Championship, organized by Detroit Is Different, will take place on July 26 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at The Samaritan Center located at 5555 Conner St., Detroit. This event promotes Black culinary heritage with the theme “Bridging Detroit Through Culture and Cuisine,” emphasizing the significance of urban farming and soul food in the community.
More than 400 pounds of locally sourced collard greens will be used in the competition. Participants include a range of chefs such as Harriette Brown, Kenyatta Brown, and Josmine Evans, among others. Dishes will be assessed by a panel of judges featuring Orlando Bailey, comedians Howie Bell and Coco, as well as esteemed food industry professionals. The event is free to enter and open to the public; tokens will be available for attendees wishing to sample the various collard green dishes.
6th Annual Taco Showdown
The following day, on July 27, the 6th Annual Taco Showdown will take place at Eastern Market. This year’s competition will see over a dozen metro Detroit taquerias vie for the title of Detroit’s best taco. Attendees can expect to taste a range of tacos, sample salsas, and even take part in a margarita mix-off.
The Taco Showdown will also feature entertainment including Mexican-themed music, dancers, and luchadores. Tickets for the event start at $25 and include three taco tickets, with an estimated attendance of about 1,000 people.
26th Annual Summer Beer Festival
On the same weekend, Ypsilanti’s Riverside Park will host the 26th Annual Summer Beer Festival, presented by the Michigan Brewers Guild. Running on Saturday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., nearly 100 Michigan breweries will showcase an array of beers during the festival. Following the beer-tasting hours, attendees can enjoy a concert featuring Keller & the Keels from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Admission to the festival includes 15 tokens for beer tastings, with additional tokens available for purchase.
Chinatown Block Party
Also on Saturday, Detroit’s first Chinatown Block Party will take place from noon to 8 p.m. at the intersection of Peterboro Street and Cass Avenue in Midtown Detroit. The aim of this block party is to celebrate the rich cultural diversity and local businesses within the community. Activities will include cultural performances, food vendors, and games.
A talk by Curtis Chin about his book “Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant” will also be part of the program. Additionally, there will be two screenings of the documentary “Big Fight in Little Chinatown” at the Masonic Temple ballroom. Admission for the film screenings is free, although tickets must be reserved via Eventbrite. Local food businesses participating in the Chinatown Block Party include The Peterboro, The Detroit Shipping Co., Craig’s Coffee, and Meantime.
With such a diverse lineup of events, Detroit aims to showcase its culinary talents, celebrate local culture, and bring the community together for a memorable weekend.
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Additional Resources
- Detroit Is Different
- Detroit Free Press
- Metro Times
- Bridge Detroit
- Hour Detroit
- Wikipedia: Food Festival
- Google Search: Detroit Cook-Offs
- Google Scholar: Detroit culinary events
- Encyclopedia Britannica: collard greens
- Google News: Detroit food events
