The rich heritage and culinary artistry of the African diaspora was celebrated at the 3rd Annual Afro Freedom Afro Feast celebration. The event was founded by award-winning Chef Serigne Mbaye of Dakar NOLA, selected as 2024 James Beard Award ‘Best New Restaurant’ winner. Renowned chefs from New Orleans cooked over open flames, creating a unique culinary experience, paying homage to their ancestors.
PARTICIPATING Chefs
Serigne Mbaye
Dakar NOLA
nina compton
Compère Lapin • BABs
PRINCE LOBO
Addis Nola
charly pierre
Fritai
KAITLIN GUERIN
Lagniappe Bakehouse
martha wiggins
Café Reconcile
SHONDA CROSS
Chef Shonda’s Fine Dining
To-Go
The Location
Grow Dat Youth Farm envisions a vibrant New Orleans where youth and adults transform themselves, their communities, and their environment by engaging in the meaningful work of growing food. Each year, over 70 young people ages 15-24 convene on their seven-acre farm to participate in one of five leadership programs, all of which integrate youth leadership, sustainable agriculture, and social justice as curricula pillars. This is where Afro Freedom Afro Feast's ethos intersects with nature and community, while paying homage to our ancestry on the land in which they farmed. This year’s event included a silent auction that raised funds for Grow Dat Youth Farm and its youth leadership program.
OUR 2024 PARTNERS
National Media Partner
Official Hotel Partner
Community Partners
entertainment
Victor Campbell Cuban Jazz Trio performed at Afro Freedom Afro Feast! Trained at Cuba’s National School of the Arts, he's performed globally. A life-changing visit to New Orleans led him to move there in 2019, where he fuses New Orleans styles with Cuban jazz.
pasT event highlights
“We gather to honor our ancestors who cultivated this soil, focusing on sustainability, beauty, and the bountiful harvest. We invite everyone to join us in commemorating history, celebrating culinary artistry, and supporting our local youth.”
— Chef Serigne Mbaye
What People Are Saying
“I absolutely loved it! The food, music, staff, set up (long tables where we got to meet new people), the family style dinner…it was wonderful. And we got to walk the grounds of the farm which was a real treat.”
— Felicia m.
“Amazing experience as always! This was our second time attending the Afro Feast celebration. We look forward to it every year. Great food, great people…and led by the wonderful team at Dakar.”
— Caitlin K.
“Such a wonderful event! The food was outstanding, the music was so fun, and the experience was perfect! There were so many lovely people to chat with. It was so great to see some of New Orleans top chefs come together!”
— KATHRYN D.
“It was an experience that gave me so many emotions and memories. I've lived in NOLA all my life and my family for generations as well. I laughed, I cried, I danced and had a new gratitude for my own history that spans the African content and ours. I left FULL and not just from the excellent food.”
— DEE S.
“This was a quintessential New Orleans moment. I loved every second and marvel at how warm and welcoming such a large event felt. It was perfect, top to bottom.”
— sarah b.
“Great program. Great meeting and hearing from the Chefs who prepared the feast. Great poem by FreQuency. Appetizers were unworldly. Great food that cannot be described in words. Great community. The event must be repeated next year.”
— Reginald p.
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