Carnival of Soul

With a mouth-watering menu of “soul food,” Saginaw Valley State University will host its 12th annual “Taste of Soul” food festival from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 19, in the Marketplace at Doan cafeteria on campus.

“Soul food” staples such as ribs, fried okra, candied yams, and potato salad will be available, along with fan favorites such as Southern pound cake and pecan tarts offered by Mamie Thorns, SVSU’s special assistant to the president for Diversity Programs.

As a special annual event, the SVSU Office of Diversity Programs — in collaboration with SVSU’s Marketplace at Doan and University Communications — bring together various traditional “soul food” recipes prepared by SVSU faculty and staff, SVSU Dining Services, and local chefs from the Great Lakes Bay Region.

An all-you-can-eat ticket for admission to “A Taste of Soul” costs $9.75. The public is welcomed to attend.

“Come and enjoy a soulful, relaxing, fun-filled event,” Thorns said.

This year, the Black History Month event’s theme is “Celebrating Another Decade in a Soul Food Way.”

The festival will feature culinary guests, the Men and Women of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church, who will be preparing entrees and desserts. Founded in 1867, it is the oldest African-American church in Saginaw.

Rev. Dennis Laffoon, pastor of Bethel A.M.E. Church, and Jordan Edwards, will provide jazz music during the event.

For more information about “A Taste of Soul,” call SVSU’s Office of Diversity Programs office at 989-964-4068.

The following foods will be available at the event: baked chicken; banana pudding; black-eyed peas; candied yams; catfish; Coca-Cola Cake; collard greens; corn bread; fried cabbage and bacon; fried chicken wings; fried corn; fried okra; gumbo and white rice; Jay’s baked beans; lemon meringue cake; mac and cheese; marbled fudge cake; peach cobbler; pecan tarts; potato salad; red beans and rice; red velvet cake; ribs; rolls; salad bar; smothered pork chops; Southern pound cake; Southern green beans; sweet potato pie; sweet tea; and yellow pound cake.