The recent Taste of Black Cleveland: The Food Showcase 7.0 transformed Rocket Arena into a vibrant hub of culinary excellence, celebrating and amplifying the vital contributions of Black-owned food businesses. This sold-out event drew a remarkable 1,200 enthusiastic attendees, creating an unparalleled platform for emerging and established chefs to gain crucial visibility while delighting food enthusiasts with an exquisite array of flavors.
This seventh annual showcase proved a monumental success, featuring 27 diverse businesses, an impressive 17 of which were first-time participants. The arena floor buzzed with energy as local restaurateurs, caterers, and food truck operators mingled with eager foodies, forging connections and expanding their brand reach within the thriving Cleveland community and beyond. The event underscored the rich entrepreneurial spirit embedded within the city’s culinary landscape.
Among the standout participants was Arttina Stewart, the passionate proprietor of Tina’s Sweet Tooth, whose journey to this showcase began over a decade ago. A graduate of Max Hayes High School, Stewart’s dedication to her craft culminated in her being recognized as one of the evening’s distinguished winners, a moment she described as utterly ecstatic and a profound opportunity to share her true culinary passions.
Stewart’s delectable peach cobbler and signature strawberry-stuffed cheesecake were particular crowd-pleasers, showcasing the evolution of her baking career from a simple passion for her daughter to a burgeoning business. With 11 years in operation, Stewart is now poised to expand her reach into wholesale and distribution, illustrating the tangible growth and ambition fostered by events like the Taste of Black Cleveland.
The success of the showcase is a testament to powerful community collaboration, spearheaded by impactful partnerships between the Cleveland Cavaliers, Aramark, Black CoLabs, and the NAACP Cleveland branch. This collective effort not only organized a magnificent event but also cultivated an environment ripe for economic development and cross-sectorial support for local businesses.
Leaders such as Danielle Sydnor, immediate past president of the Cleveland NAACP, emphasized the significant economic opportunities generated by bringing chefs and the public together. This sentiment was echoed by Paul Sadler of Savage Burger, who highlighted the critical visibility the event provides, describing it as a vital one-stop marketing opportunity that helps draw patrons from across the entire region.
Attendees reveled in the diverse culinary landscape, sampling an array of dishes that demonstrated the chefs’ mastery. Offerings like Thyme to Eat’s vegetarian and chicken rolls, perfectly complemented by a tangy pickled slaw, and O Taste & C’s delightful vanilla butter pound cake and “peachie” cobbler underscored the high caliber and creativity on display, ensuring a memorable gastronomic experience for all.
Ultimately, the Taste of Black Cleveland is more than just a food event; it’s a celebration of talent, resilience, and community empowerment. For chefs like Robert Craig of The Sweet Fix Bakery, recognized for the best dessert in 2024, the satisfaction derived from those who enjoy their creations is as invaluable as the increased visibility, reinforcing the profound impact this showcase has on local entrepreneurs and the broader Cleveland area.
