Sarasota residents, mark your calendars for Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, and join us at Robert L. Taylor Community Park for the 8th Annual Big Mama’s Collard Green Festival (BMCGF)! This beloved event celebrates community and culture, bringing together influences from Cajun, Creole, Southern, and Caribbean styles. At the heart of the festival are the legendary “big mamas,” representing the best-tasting family collard greens recipes, some dating back more than 100 years. In addition, chefs from significant restaurants in Sarasota and Manatee and the Tampa Bay area will showcase their collard greens dishes and specialty foods. Live entertainment will highlight local talent, creating a vibrant and exciting atmosphere for attendees of all ages. One of the highlights of the festival is the collard green cook-off, where local residents and restaurant chefs compete for the bragging rights title of “Big Mama” and a chance to win prizes for 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place. Competitors cook up batches of their best family collard recipes and submit them for a blind taste test by a judging panel selected by the event planning committee. But that’s not all! Attendees can also get in on the tasting action and feast on soul food offerings from local chefs and vendors who turned out for the festival. It’s a chance to try some of the best food in the area and support local businesses. “The magic of this is that we have all this amazing raw product that we sell at the farmer’s market — and it’s great local stuff. We’ve been looking for ways to really tie that product into this community that’s known for its southern cooking,” said Mr. Lou’ Murray during the first-ever event in 2017. BMCGF is a family-friendly, no-alcohol event, making it the perfect opportunity to spend quality time with loved ones while enjoying delicious food and live entertainment. Food will be available for purchase from multiple food vendors, and we encourage families to bring their own lawn chairs or blankets for a comfortable and relaxing time. Don’t miss out on this fantastic event that celebrates community, culture, and healthy eating habits. We hope to see you there!