After a successful debut in 2020, The Soul Of Seattle is back to celebrate Black-owned restaurants and businesses. And, as you may have guessed, this time around they are taking it online.

The inaugural event, held last year on February 7, raised over $260,000 for area nonprofits that serve youth of color. Joined by 13 Black chefs, two-time James Beard Award winning Chef Edouardo Jordan curated the multi-course dinner for a packed house at the Northwest African American Museum.

Little did anyone know that a month later, the landscape would drastically change. 

“The outpouring of support for the Black community during The Soul of Seattle 2020 was incredible,” said Chef Jordan. “Less than a month after last year’s event, however, everything changed. In the current climate, the need to lift up our Black-owned restaurants has grown immensely.”

This year, The Soul of Seattle aims to raise $350,000 to benefit participating Black chefs with restaurants. Proceeds from the event will also benefit organizations that empower youth of color in Seattle.

In honor of Black History Month, The Soul of Seattle kicks off on Monday, February 1, with a Zoom welcome from Chef Jordan and special guests.

Each Friday in February, guests will have the opportunity to experience custom menus from two Black-owned restaurants while taking part in a virtual event. Panel discussions with national culinary talents, cooking demos, and even a dance party with DJ Questlove are all in store. 

You definitely won’t go hungry as the chefs for this year’s Soul of Seattle are some of the areas most notable.

Participating Chefs

Matthew Lewis – Where Ya At Matt
Sabrina Tinsley – La Spiga
Dre Neeley – Gravy
Wayne Johnson – FareStart
Trey Lamont – Jerk Shack
Kristi Brown – Communion
Donna Moodie – Marjorie
Daisley Gordon – Café Campagne

National Chef Panelists

Marcus Samuelsson
Mashama Bailey
Eric Adjepong
Kwame Onwuachi
Shakirah Simley

Tickets for The Soul of Seattle are available for purchase with or without meals. To purchase tickets or view details about each date in the series, visit theseattlesoul.com.

The Soul of Seattle

Monday, February 1
Kick Off with Chef Edouardo Jordan and guests

Friday, February 5
Live Cooking Demo with Dre Neeley, Sabrina Tinsley, and host Matthew Lewis of Where ya at, Matt?
Featured dinners from Gravy & La Spiga

Friday, February 12th
Live Panel Discussion with national Black culinary leaders hosted by Marcus Samuelsson.
Panel includes Mashama Bailey, Eric Adjepong, Shakirah Simley, Kwame Onwuachi & Edouardo Jordan.
Featured dinners from Café Campagne & Salare

Friday, February 19
Live Cooking Demo Trey Lamont, Kristi Brown, and host Wayne Johnson of Farestart.
Featured dinners from Jerk Shack & Communion

Friday, February 26
Live Closing Dance party with special guest DJ Questlove.
Featured dinners from Marjorie & JuneBaby