A Taste of Black History: You Be the Judge

The Rome Connected Schools Team in collaboration with The Rome Branch NAACP is excited to be hosting the “A Taste of Black History: You Be the Judge” event on February 27, 2025 from 4:30-6:30pm at Mohawk Valley Community College-Rome Campus Community Room. 

This function is open to everyone in the community that would like to attend and join us in celebrating Black and Africana culture with a community potluck as well as a variety of engaging activities.

The main highlight of this event will be a community cook-off highlighting culturally relevant dishes. We are asking the community to enter the contest by submitting an ethnic dish of their choice that specifically has ties to black cuisine. This contest will feature three categories to compete in; Mains, Sides, and Desserts. The contest will be independently judged by a panel of five community leaders with prizes awarded for first, second and third place in each category.

Entrants should prepare enough of their dish for 40 to 50 small servings to include portions for judging and to share with their fellow community members. Dishes should be brought fully cooked in a disposable aluminum pan, crockpot, or metal chafing dish for warm items. Cold items can be brought in disposable pans, glassware, or platters. If you have any questions about the event or in need of disposable dishware, please reach out to Matthew Hartwell at Connected Community Schools via phone or email at 315-240-6012 or matthewh@connectedcs.org.

Entrants are asked to register free of charge for the competition no later than February 21st. Sign ups can be found at the following link https://tinyurl.com/TasteofBlackHistory or by contacting Matthew Hartwell at the above number or email address. A complete outline of competition rules will also be included at the above web address.