New Chicago Restaurant Awards Aim to Spotlight African-American Businesses

Black Chicago Eats, the group that promotes restaurants in predominantly African-American city neighborhoods, is trying to expand its reach by organizing two new events for next month. On Aug. 25, they’ll hold the Everybody Eats Foodie Awards aims to celebrate black-owned restaurants with 36 categories including “Black Chef of the Year,” “Best Black-Owned Place to Eat,” and “Best Black-Owned Franchise.” They’re looking for nominations, and interested parties can submit them here.

The event is receiving an assist from The Bean Soup Times and will take place at Salaam Restaurant, 706 W. 79th St., in Auburn Gresham. Organizers are still working out the details of the event’s flow and figuring out which chefs and restaurant owners will attend. Meanwhile, the group also plans to hold the first Taste of Black Chicago on Aug. 19 at 7351 S. Stony Island, home to The Nation of Islam’s Chicago headquarters. They’re looking for vendors of all persuasions to come on out. Brown Sugar Bakery is one of the committed vendors.

Organizers have mentioned how they want to embrace all varieties of food in the community, as tastes are evolving. That includes more vegan choices, less pork (that explains the rise of the turkey tip as an alternative to the rib tip), and more. In a city as segregated as Chicago, the organizers want tourists and residents from other neighborhoods (yes, North Siders) to see what the rest of the city has to offer.

Check the Black Chicago Eats Facebook page for more info and updates.