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Big Queer Food Fest Boston – The 7 Talented Out & Proud Chefs Participating

By The Get Up Crew

Big Queer Food Fest Boston is coming! The event, hosted by Chef Tiffani Faison, is part of the food fest’s On The Road series. The series happens across the country and features food-focused events celebrating the LGBTQ+ culinary community and allies. The Boston event is one of the lead up events to the multi-day food fest happening in May 2025. Here’s more of what you need to know about Sunday’s event, and how to get tickets to Big Queer Food Fest Boston.

What Is Big Queer Food Fest Boston?

Big Queer Food Fest Boston is part of the On the Road series. It will take place at High Street Place Food Hall on Sunday, April 28th at 5pm. It will he hosted by celebrity chef and Boston’s own Tiffani Faison. If you’re like me, you’ve followed Tiffani’s journey since she was a contestant on season one of Top Chef.

What BQFF Stands For

According to their website, “BQFF is a platform for members of the LGBTQ+ culinary community to showcase their unique culinary identity while fostering a sense of community and belonging within the LGBTQ+ community and beyond.”They say that their mission is to show “how incredibly diverse, influential, and delectable our queer culinary heritage truly is. We pay homage to the culinary pioneers who paved the way, champion the present by showcasing the brilliance of queer voices in the kitchen, and carve a path toward a future where queer chefs, culinary entrepreneurs, and purveyors shine brightly.”

The Chefs of Big Queer Food Fest Boston

The event will feature Tiffani, along with six other out and proud chefs from around Boston, Cape Cod, and the Northeast. Chefs Kareem Queeman, Karen Akunowicz, Michele Ragussis, Rob Anderson, Robert Gonzalez, and Tatiana Rosana will be serving up some delicious food.

You can also enjoy drinks by: SUPERGAY Vodka, Provincetown Brewing Co, and Rhode Island Spirits. There will be music by DJ L’Duke and the event coincides with the conclusion of the first-ever Queer Food Conference. Get your tickets HERE.

Here’s more about the incredible chefs participating in Big Queer Food Fest Boston.

  • Chef Tiffani Faison

    Tiffani Faison is a chef, restauranteur, TV personality, philanthropist, and more. She has several restaurants to her name in the Boston area including: Sweet Cheeks Q, Fool’s Errand, Tenderoni’s Pizza, Dive Bar, and Bubble Bath. Her Boston-based restaurant group is named Big Heart Hospitality. She’s been on many shows including: Top Chef, Chopped, and the Food Network’s Tournament of Champions. She was a James Beard Foundation Nominee for Best Chef: Northeast in 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2022. And she was named Boston Magazine’s Best Chef: Boston in 2016.

  • Chef Karen Akunowicz

    Chef Karen Akunowicz was named the 2018 James Beard Foundation winner for Best Chef: Northeast. She is the Chef and Owner of Fox & the Knife Enoteca in South Boston, Fox Pasta Co. and Bar Volpe Ristorante & Pastificio. She’s been called “Boston’s Queen of Pasta.” She was a fan favorite on Top Chef Season 13, and on Top Chef “All Stars.”  She was a finalist on The Food Network’s “Tournament of Champions 3 and 4. She has appeared as a judge on Top Chef, Top Chef Canada, America’s Worst Cooks, America’s Test Kitchen Next Gen and is a recurring Judge on “Beat Bobby Flay”.

    She was named one of the “21 Badass Women Changing the Food World” by Marie Claire Magazine.  And her second cookbook Crave: Bold Recipes That Make You Want Seconds” was published last year.

  • Chef Kareem "Mr. Bake" Queeman

    Chef Kareem “Mr. Bake” Queeman has been baking since he was 8 years old after being encouraged by his grandmother. He opened his own bakery, has been featured on several shows as both a contestant and a judge. He founded Mr. Bake Sweets in 2013 baking designer custom cakes and dessert spreads. He was a James Beard semifinalist in the Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker Category. He’s said that, “I want to make space for Black and queer food business. There’s not many queer people of color in this space, and I want to help open those doors.”

  • Chef Tatiana Rosana

    Chef Tatiana Rosana is a first-generation Cuban-American who grew up in Miami in a traditional Cuban family. Those traditions where food always took center stage. It is what pushed her to pursue a career in the culinary industry. She has competed on The Food Network’s “Beat Bobby Flay,” “Chopped,” and “Chopped Champions,” winning twice and earning the title of two-time Chopped Champion. Rosana heads Para Maria, Lookout Rooftop and Bar as well as The Envoy Hotel’s in-room dining.

  • Chef Michele Ragussis

    Chef Michele Ragussis was born and raised in New England. She was a repeat judge on Beat Bobby Flay, and has been on Food Network Star, Guy’s Grocery Games, and The Bobby Flay Show. She worked as a private chef for the last eight years and is now the executive chef at Gedney Farm in New Marlborough, MA. The Berkshire location is known as a popular venue for weddings and other outdoor receptions.

  • Chef Robert Gonzalez

    Pastry Chef Robert Gonzalez | Artistic Desserts | Boston

    Executive Pastry Chef Robert's site highlights his creations from culinary school to 5-Star restaurants, Cafe and Market. His creativity and skills are highlited in the Food Channel's Chopped: Dessets - Chocolate and Season 10 of the Spring Baking Championship.

    Chef Robert Gonzalez grew up in Miami, Florida. He is a published cookbook author and renowned pastry chef. Robert made his Boston debut at the esteemed Bistro du Midi working alongside Executive Chef Robert Sisca. He published his first cookbook, Baking: The Ultimate Cookbook in January 2022, and is currently on the Food Network’s Spring Baking Championship. He also appeared on the Food Network’s Chopped – Sweets Showdown Chocolate!

  • Chef Rob Anderson

    Writer. Chef. Entrepreneur.

    As a journalist, Rob worked for outlets including the , the Boston Globe, the American Prospect and the Center for American Progress. His writing has also appeared in Washington Post, . Rob left his desk job in 2013 to open a restaurant in Provincetown, Massachusetts.

     

    Rob Anderson is a writer, chef and entrepreneur. He worked as a journalist for the Boston Globe, the Washington Post, The New Republic, and more. He left his desk job in 2013 to open a restaurant in Provincetown, and is the co-owner and chef of the Canteen. After a decade at the Canteen, including the COVID years, he took a step back to focus on his health and personal growth. He’s living in Massachusetts, and according to his website is, “splitting his time between Cambridge and Cape Cod. He prefers dogs to humans, music over silence and ice cream above all else.” 

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