Big Mama’s Collard Greens Fest (BMCGF) celebrates community and culture, with influence from Cajun, Creole, Southern and Caribbean styles.

The legendary “big mama” represents the best-tasting family collard greens recipes, some dating back more than 100 years. In addition, chefs from significant restaurants in Sarasota and Manatee counties and the Tampa Bay area will showcase their collard greens and specialty foods. Live entertainment will highlight local talent!

BMCGF pits local residents against restaurant chefs to compete for the bragging rights title of “Big Mama” — or, in other words, to determine who reigns supreme as King or Queen of the Big Mama’s Collard Green Cook-off in Sarasota and surrounding Counties.

Competitors cook up batches of their best family collard recipes and submit them for a blind taste test by a judging panel selected by the event planning committee for a chance to win prizes for 1st, 2nd or 3rd place.

Attendees also can get in on the tasting action and feast on soul food offerings from local chefs and vendors who turned out for the festival while enjoying lots of live entertainment.

“The magic of this is that we have all this amazing raw product that we sell at the farmer’s market — and it’s great local stuff. We’ve been looking for ways to really tie that product into this community that’s known for its southern cooking,” said Mr. Lou’ Murray during the first-ever event in 2017.

BMCGF is a family-friendly, no-alcohol event. Food will be available for purchase from multiple food vendors. Outside food or drinks are not allowed, but we encourage families to bring their own lawn chairs or blankets.