UTC students were served up Cajun cuisine from The Island Vibe at Taste of Black Chattanooga. Photo by Angela Foster.
Signature cuisine from five Chattanooga-area vendors was on display at the third annual “Taste of Black Chattanooga,” which took place on Thursday, Feb. 22, in the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s University Center Tennessee Room.
Hosted by Student Success Programs, the food sampling was part of UTC Black History Month events.
Crystal Edenfield, director of Student Success Programs, helped launch “Taste of Black Chattanooga” three years ago.
“I think it’s important to feature businesses of color and businesses of color that are locally owned,” she said. “Food is something that always connects people and it’s something every culture has. We wanted to connect people with food, educate people with food and help them understand differences through food.”
Laurenz Howard, coordinator of Student Success Programs, discussed how important events like “Taste of Black Chattanooga” are for Black students who should feel represented while on campus.
He also said that students are not always able to visit different local restaurants.
“Here, they can get the same food, the same experience, but a little more intimate,” he said. “They get to meet some of the owners and I think that’s really beneficial.”
Chattanooga native Jeremiah Chambers, an education major and Freshman Senate president, attended the event.
“Black History Month may exist to celebrate the past,” Chambers said. “I think events like this help us celebrate the present and the future as well as provide transparency to who the Black businesses are in our area and what services they can provide.”
Vendors included Cold Fusions, Shey Natural Smoothies, Slim & Husky’s Pizza, The Island Vibe and T.Rowe Creative Kitchen.
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Taste of Black Chattanooga photo gallery by Angela Foster
