Creole Food Festival announces 8th annual chef lineup for Brooklyn Bridge Park tasting

Creole Food Festival has unveiled the chef roster for its 8th Annual Grand Tasting, set for Oct. 3 at Pier 3 in Brooklyn Bridge Park. The free festival will feature global Creole diaspora chefs, ticketed tastings, live music and sponsors tied to the Caribbean, food and beverage scene.

Why it matters: - The 8th Annual Creole Food Festival is positioning Brooklyn as a major stage for Creole diaspora cuisine from Africa, the Caribbean, the Southern U.S., Latin America and South America. - The event combines free public access with ticketed tastings, widening the audience while preserving a premium culinary experience for attendees who buy in. - The festival’s focus on chefs of color and diaspora foodways gives visibility to culinary traditions that often get less mainstream coverage.

What happened: - Creole Food Festival announced the confirmed chef lineup for its 8th Annual Grand Tasting. - The event is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, at Pier 3 in Brooklyn Bridge Park. - The roster includes chefs and culinary leaders from multiple regions tied to the Creole diaspora. - Selected culinary advisors include Chef Todd Richards, Chef Stephan and Chef Apa Garay.

The details: - Confirmed chefs include Adonis the Chef, executive chef at TGK in Brooklyn. - The lineup also includes Chef Airis Johnson, a Chopped champion. - Chef Adriana Urbina, a three-time Food Network Chopped winner from Venezuela, is part of the roster. - Chef Osei “Picky” Blackett, owner of Ariapita & Everything Oxtail, a Beat Bobby Flay champion and Forbes “30 Under 30” honoree, is slated to participate. - Other featured chefs include Chef Sakari Smithwick, founder of Savor Your Journey; Chef Yesenia, executive chef and owner of HealthyaSamosa; Chef Frances Roman, executive chef and owner of Cocotazo; and John Kingsley, executive chef at Bar Manje. - The list continues with Chef Asia B, founder of Grandma Edna's; Chef Chaz Brown, executive chef at Realm Rooftop and founder of Oxtail Collective; Chef Tashea Channell, executive chef at Honcho House; Deborah Jean, a private chef; Chef Eva, founder of La Cachette Du Coin; Chef Javel Fraser, owner of JV Pantry; and Chef Okeno Guthrie, owner of OsenoJerk. - Specialty food concepts will include Oseno Jerk and Hamptons Lobster Co., along with local beverage partners. - Featured sponsors include Rhum Barbancourt and Edmonds Honor. - Official gift bag sponsors are Fly By Jing, Mama Maisa's, Baron Pepper Sauce from Baron Foods and Virtu Water. - Community partners include NYCPlugged and Yelp. - The festival says these partnerships help expand reach, deepen local engagement and increase grassroots visibility. - Admission to the event grounds, entertainment and the overall festival experience is free. - Food tastings, photo booth access and exclusive perks are reserved for ticket holders. - Ticketed guests get unlimited tastings from all featured chefs, live musical performances and access to festival perks. - Limited tasting tickets are available on Eventbrite, with prices increasing gradually before the event.

Between the lines: - The lineup mixes TV competition winners, restaurateurs, founders and private chefs, signaling a strategy that blends celebrity draw with community-rooted food entrepreneurship. - The festival’s sponsorship mix suggests a broader ecosystem around Creole cuisine, including rum, sauces, packaged foods and beverage brands. - The free-admission model lowers the barrier to entry, while ticketed tastings create a revenue layer around the core culinary experience.

What's next: - The festival will take place Oct. 3 at Brooklyn Bridge Park. - Organizers are selling tasting tickets on Eventbrite ahead of the event. - The festival’s website is Creole Food Festival, and its Instagram handle is @CreoleFoodFest.

The bottom line: - Creole Food Festival is using its 8th annual edition to spotlight diaspora cuisine, expand public access and turn Brooklyn Bridge Park into a one-day showcase for Creole culinary culture.