Here's the tasty way to celebrate the LGBTQ+ culinary community
Brooke Olsen
The Big Queer Food Fest is the ultimate culinary celebration for LGBTQ+ tastemakers and chefs, and the queer foodies who love them.
BQFF is the brainchild of television producer David Lewis (RuPaul’s Drag Race, Food Network’s Tournament of Champions, Guy’s Grocery Games) and producer/filmmaker Chad Hahne (RuPaul’s Drag Race, How to Survive a Plague, Alex vs America).
The pair realized that despite a long history of LGBTQ+ chefs like the legendary James Beard, no event centered the community’s numerous culinary contributions.
With this in mind, Hahne and Lewis created BQFF to showcase the talents of queer folks like two-time James Beard Award nominee Rashida Holmes, pastry chef Elizabeth Falkner, Food Network’s Tiffani Faison, Top Chef’s Arnold Myint, and others.
To generate awareness, the group is holding a series of food-focused events entitled “BQFF On The Road” now through the inaugural Big Queer Food Fest to be held next year.
Current stops on the BQFF On The Road schedule include events on March 13 and March 26 at Sal’s Place in WeHo.
Featured chefs will include Falkner, Gabe Bertaccini, and Leo Goodloe with libations provided by Future Gin Founders Freya Estrella and Natasha Case.
Later dates include a stop at Northern California’s legendary gay getaway of Guerneville on April 14. High Street Place Food Hall will play host in Boston on April 28 (this event had previously been scheduled at Tenderoni’s). Other dates and destinations are still in the planning stages and should be introduced soon.
You can learn more at www.bigqueerfoodfest.com, but keep scrolling to see the master chefs working their magic from past BQFF events.
Brooke Olsen
James Beard Award-winning chef Rashida Holmes
Brooke Olsen
Crista Luedtke delights guests with her creamed corn and curated LGBTQ+ wines
Brooke Olsen
Jon Kung with queer activist and pasty chef extraordinaire Elizabeth Falkner
Brooke Olsen
Tiffani Faison prepares her Porchetta "Khao Kha Moo" Style
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Rashida Holmes and Nik Sharma share a lighthearted moment
Brooke Olsen
Nik Sharma puts the finishing touches on his samosa pie
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Rashida Holmes and Jon Kung at the carving board
Brooke Olsen
Brooke Lynn Hytes and Marco Marco enjoying conversation and a BQFF Bar Mattachine cocktail
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Jon Kung working up a sweat in the kitchen
Brooke Olsen
Nothing but smiles from actress Marlana Dunn, Stephanie Izzard, and Rashida Holmes
Brooke Olsen
WeHo City Councilperson Sepi Shyne with nightlife legend Kiki Extravaganza
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