MS KICK’s Foodie Fest Ignites Shreveport’s Culinary Entrepreneur Scene

A Community Celebration of Food, Culture, & Entrepreneurial Growth

Shreveport got a delicious taste of its own emerging culinary talent on November 22, 2025, when the Milam Street Kitchen Incubator & Community Kitchen at Southern University at Shreveport (MS KICK–SUSLA) hosted a vibrant Foodie Fest that drew more than 150 attendees. Organized by Executive Director Monique Armand, the event blended food, culture, and entrepreneurship—spotlighting MS KICK’s growing role in shaping the next generation of local food-based businesses.

A Launchpad for Shreveport’s Food Entrepreneurs

As Shreveport’s premier culinary incubator, MS KICK is committed to helping food-based entrepreneurs grow their businesses through training, certification, and real-world experience. Foodie Fest, originally scheduled as the finale of Black Restaurant Week but postponed to November due to weather, it became an opportunity to spotlight emerging businesses and give them the exposure and confidence needed to take the next step in their entrepreneurial journey.

The festival featured over 15 vendors, ranging from food trucks to early-stage culinary startups, many of whom came to MS KICK seeking guidance in legal compliance, food safety, business development, and operational readiness. For these entrepreneurs, Foodie Fest became more than an event; it served as a proving ground where they could apply newly learned skills in front of real customers and gain the confidence needed to advance their businesses.

Preparing Vendors for Success

In the weeks leading up to the festival, MS KICK worked closely with each participant to ensure they met all state requirements for operating legally and safely. Vendors secured Louisiana Health Department permits, completed ServSafe and other food-safety certifications, provided liability insurance, refined their menus and pricing models, and used MS KICK’s commercial kitchen to prepare for their debut.

The event also came to life through the Sysco Chef Demo Stage, sponsored by SYSCO and hosted inside the MS KICK facility. Local chefs Mark Meyers, Jasmine Cherry, and Shanetta Brown offered live cooking demonstrations, turning the kitchen into an interactive classroom where attendees could learn new techniques while experiencing the flavors of Shreveport’s culinary talent.

A Community Event With Lasting Impact

With more than 150 attendees circulating through the venue, Foodie Fest created an energetic environment filled with fellowship, local pride, and authentic engagement between vendors and visitors. The event provided real-time business exposure, offered new chefs the chance to build an audience, and gave participants valuable experience in food service operations, customer interaction, and day-to-day business management.

This boost in visibility and hands-on practice generated tangible momentum for entrepreneurs continuing in MS KICK’s incubator program. By ensuring every vendor obtained the necessary compliance documentation, the festival moved many small businesses closer to becoming fully established and positioned for long-term success.

A Word From MS KICK

"Foodie Fest is more than an event, it’s a launchpad," said MS KICK Executive Director Monique Armand. "Our vendors not only showcased their food but also gained the tools, paperwork, and confidence needed to operate legally and successfully. We are proud to help build businesses that strengthen Shreveport’s food ecosystem."

The Big Picture

Foodie Fest demonstrated how training, resources, and strong community partnerships can transform aspiring culinary entrepreneurs into confident, compliant business owners. The event reflects MS KICK’s mission in action: to nurture small businesses, empower local talent, and elevate Louisiana’s culinary economy one thriving entrepreneur at a time.