A new culinary festival is coming to town and we couldn’t be more excited. Chopd & Stewd, a first-of-its-kind culinary and cultural festival, will debut in Houston this weekend with immersive events and experiences touching on wellness, music, food, and more!
Mark your calendars for September 30, Houston, because Chopd & Stewd is a food festival that you will not want to miss. Taking place at POST Houston, the festival will celebrate the West African diaspora with unreal eats, fascinating, yet laidback dialogues, artisan workshops, a vibrant marketplace, rooftop jams, dancing, and AfroVibes yoga.
“Houston is widely recognized as the epicenter of West African culture in the United States, and it’s time to establish the city as the annual go-to destination for the entire diaspora,” said Ope Amosu, the curator of the festival as well as the mind behind Houston’s West African culinary brand, ChopnBlok.
“The festival shines a light on Houston’s relationship with West Africa and emphasizes cultural unification, diversity, and inclusion. We’re excited to be building this with Houston Freedmen’s Town Conservancy (HFTC). We want to give the city and our community a modern celebratory experience that all can gravitate towards.”
Featured plans for the African food festival in Houston include a special ChopNation Bunch. Modeled after the RocNation brunch, the ChopNation brunch will feature celebrity and James Beard-nominated chefs inlcuding Ope Amosu, Eric Adjepong, Mawa McQueen, and more.
Furthermore, the festival will feature a culinary village atop the POST Skylawn, that will include an amazing lineup of chefs – including Greg Gatlin (Gatlin’s BBQ), Courtney Lindsay (Mo’ Betta Brews, Houston Sauce Co.), Keisha Griggs (Kuji), and more. Here, patrons can also enjoy music, cocktails, and other entertainment.
Master Classes and artisan workshops will also take place at the festival, wherein figures such as Dr. Seun Adigun (Nigerian olympian), Lanell Grant (music producer/musician), Nneka & Chiney Ogwumike (WNBA all-stars), will lead community-driven dialogues and deliver narratives about the subject of cultural preservation.
Festival attendees will also be able to visit the special Òrêké Market, a bustling market showcasing cultural and culinary goods.
As for the beats, Chopd & Stewd will also feature rooftop music performances at Sounds of the Motherland, a dance-off, as well as a special AfroVibes Yoga class. Led by Yogi Jaz Porter, the class is meant to connect the self with the community and ancestral energy.
Tickets are now on sale starting at $45. Head here for more details!