Detroit Is Different’s Collard Green Cook-Off Returns July 26 with New Location, Same Soulful Flavor

Detroit’s most flavorful competition is back—and this year, it’s bringing the community together under one roof with a new location, a new vibe, and the same deep love for collard greens. The 3rd Annual Detroit Is Different Collard Green Cook-Off will now be held at the Samaritan Center’s Wellness Center Gym, located at 5555 Conner St., Detroit, MI 48213. Doors open Saturday, July 26, 2025, from 2 to 6 p.m.

With the theme “Bridging Detroit Through Culture and Cuisine,” this year’s cook-off honors the city’s proud legacy of urban farming, family recipes, and food as a cultural connector. Elders, youth, chefs, and growers are coming together for an afternoon that nourishes both the body and the soul. The gathering isn’t just about whose greens taste the best—it’s about passing stories, celebrating traditions, and creating community through a staple that has long been central to Black Detroit kitchens.

This event is free and open to the public. Every attendee will receive one complimentary tasting ticket upon entry and can purchase additional tickets for just $2 each. Each tasting ticket comes with a voting chip, giving guests the power to help decide who takes home the coveted title of Collard Green Cook-Off Champion. Half the vote comes from the people, the other half from a panel of judges.

This year’s featured chefs bring flavor and heart to every pot:

• Chef Bee of Sisters on a Roll, known for soulful spins on plant-based meals

• Kenyatta Brown, blending classic Southern heat with Detroit edge

• Chef Moe Vito of A Thoughtful Plate LLC, always serving up greens with purpose

• Yosmine Evans, bringing family tradition to the forefront

• Lavon Jones, whose bold seasoning speaks louder than words

• Ms. Kisha’s Kitchen, where love is always the main ingredient

• Trendy Celebrations, adding flair and finesse to Southern classics

Whether you’re tasting for the first time or grew up with your grandmother’s greens every Sunday, the cook-off offers a seat at the table for everyone. With Detroit’s rich agricultural history and growing Black farming movement, this event is more than a competition—it’s a conversation about culture, sustainability, and how we feed ourselves and each other.

Detroit Is Different, the creative force behind the event, continues to provide a platform for artists, activists, and food lovers alike to build bridges across neighborhoods and generations. And with this year’s shift to the Samaritan Center—a longtime anchor on Detroit’s east side—the gathering feels even more grounded in community.

For many Black Detroiters, collard greens carry memories. They hold the scent of holidays, the sound of family laughter, the warmth of home. They speak to survival and care, to health and heritage. This cook-off recognizes that food is history, and when we gather to share it, we’re doing more than eating—we’re reclaiming tradition and investing in each other.

So come hungry, come curious, and come ready to vote. Because this isn’t just an event—it’s a celebration of who we are, where we’ve been, and how we keep growing.