Chef Edouardo Jordan's Soul of Seattle event benefitting local Black chefs goes virtual next week

Two-time James Beard Award-winning chef Edouardo Jordan's annual Soul of Seattle event will go virtual starting next week for entire month of February, celebrating the work of Black chefs in the Emerald City and also providing financial relief during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"There's no way around it, COVID-19 has wrecked havoc in the restaurant industry," Jordan wrote on Instagram. "BIPOC-owned restaurants have been hit the hardest and the Soul of Seattle is here to do fulfill our mission: to highlight and support the Black Chefs, restaurants, and businesses in Seattle, as well as to build community around the Black Excellence so prominent here."

In its second year, the fundraising event will feature live cooking demos over Zoom with local chefs, panels with Black culinary leaders and custom menus available for takeout from participating restaurants including Jordan's highly acclaimed restaurants, Junebaby and Salare.

A virtual dance party featuring Questlove and weekly live auction — which is open to the public — will also be held.

Participating local chefs include Kristi Brown from the newly opened Communion, Matthew Lewis of Where Ya At Matt, Trey Lamont of Jerk Shack and La Spiga's Sabrina Tinsley.

Other contributors to the month-long event include Rodney Hines, owner of Métier Brewing Company; Daisley Gordon, owner and chef at Post Alley's Cafe Campagne; and Donna Moodie, owner of Marjorie Restaurant.

The event has set a goal of raising $350,000 to help Black-owned brick-and-mortar restaurants who have been impacted by the pandemic. The date was chosen to coincide with Black History Month.

Along with supporting local restaurants, portions of the proceeds will also benefit local nonprofit Mentoring Urban Students and Teens.

Tickets can be purchased here.