The 7th Annual Baton Rouge Soul Food Festival is family friendly and free to the public. It features blues, soul, R&B, gospel and Christian music, along with a Vendor’s Village, a judged Soul Food Cooking Contest and Pioneer Award for contributions to the Soul Food industry. VIP tickets that include food, soft drinks, photo ops are $25.00 per person. VIP tickets for two that include T-shirts, a free CD of “Now” by co-headliner Henry Turner Jr. & Flavor and additional perks are $100.00. The Soul Food Cooking Competition categories include Meats, Vegetable and Side Dishes, Breads and Desserts, Appetizers and Soups, Beverage and Ices. Criteria includes Presentation, Taste, and the Story or History behind each dish. Ten entrants in each category will be pre-selected by the Soul Food screening committee. Upon acceptance the entry fee is $20.00, $30.00 for walk-ups, if slots are available. Contestants need to bring enough food for six people the day of their judging. First, second and third place prizes will be awarded in each category. Downloadable forms and additional instructions are available on the website. Vendor slots are also available. The stage lineup is expected to include Henry Turner Jr. & Flavor and the Listening Room All-stars Ervin “Maestro” Foster, Jim Masters, Kelton ‘Nspire Harper, Pastor Leon Hitchens, Kevin “Famous” White, poet Sir AP, comedian Eddie “Cool” Deemer, Owen Scott, Xavie Shorts, Princess Teha and country singer Susie Shepard and the Double Trouble Zydeco Band, among others. More acts will be announced closer to the date.