SUCCESS STORY: FOODIE FEST AT MS KICK

A Community Celebration of Food, Culture, & Entrepreneurial Growth

The Foodie Fest at MS KICK, hosted by the Milam Street Kitchen Incubator & Community Kitchen at Southern University at Shreveport (MS KICK-SUSLA), was organized by Executive Director Monique Armand and held in Shreveport, Louisiana. As part of the culinary incubator and entrepreneur development industry, the event took place on November 22, 2025, and welcomed over 150 community members. This community celebration highlighted food, culture, and local entrepreneurial growth while showcasing MS KICK’s role in supporting emerging culinary talent.

The Journey: Growing Small Businesses Through Community

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.

Many of the 15 participating vendors, including food trucks and culinary startups, came to MS KICK seeking support with legal compliance, food safety certification, permitting, and business development. Foodie Fest allowed them to put those skills into practice while connecting with the public in a high-visibility, supportive environment.

Support & Preparation

Leading up to the festival, MS KICK worked closely with participating vendors to ensure they obtained all required paperwork and compliance documents necessary to operate legally and safely in the state of Louisiana. This preparation included securing Louisiana Health Department permits, completing ServSafe and food-safety certifications, providing proof of liability insurance, developing menus and pricing, and accessing commercial kitchen space through MS KICK. The event also featured the Sysco Chef Demo Stage, sponsored by SYSCO and hosted inside the MS KICK facility, where three Shreveport chefs, Chef Mark Meyers, Chef Jasmine Cherry, and Chef Shanetta Brown, delivered live cooking demonstrations and shared their culinary expertise with attendees.

The Results

Foodie Fest welcomed more than 150 attendees, creating a vibrant environment for community fellowship, networking, and the discovery of emerging local food talent. The event offered real-time business exposure for participating vendors, opportunities for new chefs to build their audience, and hands-on experience in business operations, food handling, and customer engagement. It also generated momentum for continued entrepreneurial growth within MS KICK’s incubator program while providing a family-friendly atmosphere that brought the community together. By ensuring each vendor obtained the necessary compliance paperwork, Foodie Fest helped move small businesses closer to becoming legally established and for long-term growth.

Testimonial from MS KICK

“Foodie Fest is more than an event, it’s a launchpad. 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.” – Monique Armand, MS KICK Executive Director

Key Takeaway

Foodie Fest is a shining example of how MS KICK’s training, resources, and community partnerships can turn aspiring culinary entrepreneurs into fully compliant, confident business owners. This success reinforces MS KICK’s mission to nurture small businesses and elevate Louisiana’s culinary economy.