LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The highly anticipated Arkansas Cornbread Festival is returning to Little Rock for another year as attendees can expect a perfect mixture of southern comfort food and community spirit.
The event is set to begin on Nov. 9 at 11 a.m. and end a few hours later at 4 p.m. as many will take to the heart of the SoMa District along Main Street in Little Rock.
While one of the points of emphasis for the festival is food, the event will also work to benefit the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance and the Arkansas Cornbread Festival, which is categorized as a 501(c) public charity.
The festival is enticing for cornbread lovers and food enthusiasts in general as 21 teams are slated to compete in this year's event. The teams will be comprised of various local restaurants, shops, and bakeries.
“We are super pumped about the 21 teams this year. In 2023, after a 3-year hiatus, we came back with 14 professional teams. With the additional participants, event-goers will now have even more choices, and quite frankly, more cornbread to eat,” said co-chair Kevin Shalin.
Everyone is invited to attend the festival and enjoy an opportunity to eat a variation of cornbread which emphasis "traditional southern and innovative twists."
As for what to expect, festival organizers said attendees can look forward to recipes such as classic skillet cornbread and Cajun crawfish cornbread — the festival brings variations that will satisfy any set of taste buds no matter the palate.
Alongside the food, the festival will feature live music, activities, and a "vibrant market showcasing local artisans and producers."
It's important to note that admission is free but you have to purchase a "cornbread tasting ticket" in order to have a chance to sample each competitor's recipe and ultimately vote for your cornbread of the day.
In order to learn more about the Arkansas Cornbread Festival and purchase a cornbread tasting ticket, you can click here.
