Houston, we have officially wrapped up another amazing Black Restaurant Week here in the place where it all started. Started in 2016 by Warren Luckett, Falayn Ferrell, and Derek Robinson, Black Restaurant Week is "dedicated to celebrating the flavors of African-American, African, and Caribbean cuisine nationwide." Not only are they showcasing our diversity in food, but they are stimulating the movement of the black dollar. That movement is something that many of us have been longing to see again.

Black Restaurant Week is a catalyst for both sides of the transaction by being a marketing avenue for black food businesses, especially small and newcomers. It also serves as a directory for black foodies and black food enthusiasts, guiding them on where to go.This is a very innovative tool for everyone to use. When you use the directory, you are also able to see reviews and narrow your search to food trucks or even by zip code. They allow black food businesses to simply register their business so that they can be seen. One way to become a household name is to play the marketing game. The team at Black Restaurant Week is making it simple for you to do so. As a fellow food PR professional and writer, I can say what they are doing for black restaurants is genius.

Black Restaurant Week also gives back to the food community through Feed the Soul Foundation. Feed the Soul Foundation has a mission to "dismantle food injustice by working with marginalized entrepreneurs to ensure the local neighborhood restaurants obtain financial assistance, educational training, and equitable opportunities". Through the Restaurant Business Development Grant Program, food businesses that are still facing challenges can receive assistance. In addition to financial help, these businesses are able to get advertising and marketing training, business consultations, and more. Black Restaurant Week has also created the HRVST Marketplace in partnership with Latin Restaurants Week, which is a digital storefront for marginalized communities. This will be another avenue for allowing food vendors to showcase their products like spices or sauces.

In recent years, Black Restaurant Week has allowed the expanding black culinary scene to be seen. With the expansion of the black culinary world here in Houston, we have seen participation from food trucks like Chicken Headz (@chickenheadz_htx), Gumbo Xpress (@gumboxpress), and Saucy Nosh (@saucynoshhtx). They also tapped into sweets too! I am so glad to see some of my personal favorite sweet eateries like Masterpiece Desserts (@masterpiecedesserts) and Lucy Pearl's Sweets (@lucypearlssweets) participating as well.

New this year for Black restaurant foodies was the ability to vote for the Black Plate Awards. I am excited to announce the winners of each category.

Best Newcomer: Daiq's (@daiqshtx)

Best Experience: Bar 5015 (@thebar5015)

Best Sweets: Sugar Rush Too OST (@sugarrushtooost)

Best International: Reggae Hut (@reggaehut)

Best Food Truck: The Fry Guys (@thefryguys713)

Best Casual Restaurant: Mikki's (@mikkiscafe)

Best Healthy: Houston Sauce Pit (@houstonsaucepit)

Beaumont's Best Restaurant: Rosie's Soul Food

Houston's Best Restaurant: The Greasy Spoon (@thegreasyspoonhtx)

Congratulations to all of the winners of the Black Plate Awards!

Support these amazing Black restaurants that we have here in Houston. If you did not get a chance to fully participate in Black Restaurant Week, that is okay, because as you are reading this, I want to encourage you to make it your mission to open your consciousness to support the richness of our culture and food right here in our city. Remember that Black Restaurant Week is MORE THAN JUST A WEEK. They have made it so that it can be a lifestyle. For more information, go to backrestaurantweek.com or follow @blackrestaurantweek on Instagram.