3rd Annual Detroit Is Different Collard Green Cook-Off

News Summary

The 3rd Annual Detroit Is Different Collard Green Cook-Off is set for July 26, 2025, celebrating culture and cuisine at the Samaritan Center. Featuring various chefs, the event aims to engage the community, promote local agriculture, and highlight the Black farming movement while providing an exciting atmosphere for food lovers.

Detroit, MI – The 3rd Annual Detroit Is Different Collard Green Cook-Off is set to take place on Saturday, July 26, 2025, from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Samaritan Center’s Wellness Center Gym, located at 5555 Conner St., Detroit, MI 48213. This year’s event carries the theme “Bridging Detroit Through Culture and Cuisine” and aims to celebrate the city’s deep-rooted legacy of urban farming, family recipes, and the role of food as a cultural connector.

The cook-off is free and open to the public, with attendees receiving one complimentary tasting ticket upon entry. Additional tasting tickets can be purchased for $2 each, allowing participants to savor an array of dishes and vote for the Collard Green Cook-Off Champion with the provided voting chip. The judging process will include both public votes and a panel of expert judges.

Featured Chefs and Dishes

This year’s cook-off showcases a diverse lineup of chefs, each bringing their own unique flair to collard greens:

• Chef Bee of Sisters on a Roll, known for her plant-based meals.
• Kenyatta Brown, who adds a Southern twist to Detroit cuisine.
• Chef Moe Vito of A Thoughtful Plate LLC, emphasizing purpose behind each dish.
• Yosmine Evans, who highlights her family’s cooking traditions.
• Lavon Jones, celebrated for his bold seasoning techniques.
• Ms. Kisha’s Kitchen, bringing a message of love in her cooking.
• Trendy Celebrations, known for elevating Southern classics with elegance.

Event Objectives and Community Focus

The Collard Green Cook-Off aims not only to tantalize taste buds but also to foster conversations about culture, sustainability, and communal nourishment. The event is expected to feature an impressive total of 480 pounds of collard greens, with dishes ranging from traditional recipes to innovative creations such as collard-green sushi. Attendees can expect a lively atmosphere with live performances, emphasizing the celebratory nature of the event.

This cook-off reflects Detroit’s rich agricultural heritage while recognizing the emerging Black farming movement. Local growers are compensated fairly for their contributions, receiving $5 per pound for the collard greens used in the event. This approach not only supports local agriculture but also strengthens connections between growers, chefs, and the wider community.

Historical Context and Significance

Food holds a significant place in cultural identity within the Black community in Detroit, with collard greens serving as a symbol of heritage and shared history. The cook-off represents a unique opportunity to highlight the contributions of local chefs and urban farmers while bringing together individuals of all ages—from elders to youth. Organizers describe the event as an intergenerational experience akin to a family reunion, emphasizing its communal and familial values.

By celebrating urban farming, culinary tradition, and community engagement, the Third Annual Detroit Is Different Collard Green Cook-Off is primed to be a memorable event. Participants and attendees are encouraged to embrace the cultural significance and shared heritage of collard greens as they enjoy a day filled with food, laughter, and camaraderie.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Detroit Hosts Vibrant Culinary and Cultural Events This Weekend

Additional Resources

• Michigan Chronicle: Detroit is Different’s Collard Green Cook-Off
• Detroit Free Press: Metro Detroit Weekend Food & Drink Events
• Detroit is Different: The Cook-Off that Tastes Like Legacy
• Google Search: Detroit culinary events
• Metro Times: 3rd Annual Collard Green Cook-Off
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Collard Greens