Christian Peterson
reporter.riverbendnews@gmail.com
Saturday, Feb. 22, was a super fun day for the residents of Hamilton County. At 11 a.m., folks began to gather at the J.R.E. Lee Complex in Jasper for the long-awaited Soul Food Cook-Off. The event boasted a plethora of food for anyone to enjoy.
A simple $5 donation allowed the public admission and gave them a chance to sample all the dishes provided. Menu highlights included greens and cornbread, mac and cheese, Southern fried chicken, souse and so much more. The event was a total success, and folks enjoyed food and good company well into the afternoon.
“In honor of Black History Month, the J.R.E. Lee Community Complex hosted a soul food cook-off,” the J.R.E. Lee Community Complex board said. “The genre of soul food originated in the ‘Deep South’ of the United States during slavery when Africans were brought to the United States. The slaves would cook food parts that the slave owners did not want. Such foods as hog jowls, pigs’ feet, ears and even the intestines were passed down to the slaves to cook. The board members of the J.R.E. Lee Complex are so appreciative of the community’s support of the soul food cook-off.”