Registration open for inaugural Black Eats Week in Columbia

Listen to this article

Black Eats Week 803, the Columbia area’s inaugural Juneteenth week culinarycelebration, will recognize Black-owned food establishments in the Midlands including restaurants, food trucks, bakeries, and creameries. The event will run June 19-25.

Organizers are inviting all Black-owned food establishment to participate in this event, which will offer a chance to showcase unique dishes, attract new customers and gain exposure, according to a news release.

Participating businesses will be featured on the BEW803 website for one year to serve as a directory of local eateries, as well as featured on the Soda City Certified app for the entire month of June.

“There are more than 120 black-owned restaurants, food trucks, bakeries, and creameries in the Midlands,,” said event organizer Khali Gallman. “Success in the restaurant industry is not easy. As a Columbia native, I would like to create awareness about these restaurants to hopefully expand their customer base. Our goal is for everyone in the Midlands to patronize at least one Black-owned food establishment that week in efforts of uplifting and supporting our local small business owners.”

Participating restaurants so far include Barcode Restaurant, Legacy Caribbean Bar & Grill, Blythewood Seafood Emporium and Tha River Sports Bar & Grill. Breakthru Beverage will sponsor special tasting events at all three esablishments. Annie B’s Mini Donuts, a food truck, also participate.

Michelle Edwards, owner of Legacy Caribbean Bar and Grill and the newly opened Tha River Sports Bar and Grill, has been a restaurateur for over 10 years in Columbia.

“Longevity in the restaurant industry is something every restauranteur strivesor f, and I have been very fortunate to offer classic Caribbean and southern comfort food in the Columbia area for quite some time now,” Edwards said in the release. “Black Eats Week 803 is a great opportunity to expose my restaurants to new customers as well as welcoming longtime supporters.”

 For more information on how to participate or become a sponsor, more information is available online. Participants can also call (803) 922-5310 to sign up.