Greg Little
Kicks Editor
Kicks
Annual Soul Food Luncheon to be curbside pick-up only on Feb. 23
JANESVILLE鈥擲erving collard greens as an entree in an attempt to block out bitterness is sort of like using garlic to sweeten cheesecake. On the surface, it doesn鈥檛 make sense.
But if you add some salt and lemon juice, allow time for it to marinate and monitor its temperature, the greens鈥 natural acidity starts to dissipate. Before long, more appealing tastes begin to emerge.
There鈥檚 an important message hidden in this simple cooking lesson. And for 16 years, students at Blackhawk Technical College and local community members have discovered it together during the school鈥檚 annual Soul Food Luncheon.
Unfortunately, many would-be diners already have missed their opportunity this year as tickets for the 2021 meal sold out Feb. 2. Those interested in reserving spots for 2022 are encouraged to keep an eye on BTC鈥檚 Facebook page starting in late January of next year.
Led by Chef Mark Olson and prepared by BTC鈥檚 Culinary Arts students, the luncheon exemplifies how food can be more than sustenance. As racial tensions continue to run high in America, such programs serve as cultural cotter pins to connect people from different backgrounds and ethnic groups.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a way to introduce people to ethnic foods, sure, but it鈥檚 also about opening people鈥檚 eyes,鈥 said Lisa Hurda, director of the Blackhawk Technical College Foundation.
鈥淔or instance, before I went in person, I had never had collard greens,鈥 she added. 鈥淪ometimes you just need to get outside of your box. Everybody just wants to be understood a little bit better, and through food we can come together.鈥
But 鈥渃oming together鈥 isn鈥檛 an option this year. The ongoing pandemic has limited the luncheon to curbside pickup only, and though ticket-holders still can hunker down over generous portions of glazed ham, candied yams, coleslaw and more, the organic conversations prompted by the sharing of tables will be sorely missed.
鈥淢any fond memories of my childhood usually centered on food and on coming together at the table,鈥 Hurda said. 鈥淲e can鈥檛 really do that in person right now, but it is still important.鈥
Merriam-Webster defines soul food as 鈥渇ood traditionally eaten by southern Black Americans.鈥 It is fitting, then, that the luncheon takes place each February during Black History Month.
It is also worth noting all proceeds from the meal and an accompanying online auction will benefit a scholarship fund for minority students at BTC. During the 2020-21 school year, 156 students benefited from the fund to the tune of about $86,000.
鈥淎nd that trend is going up,鈥 Hurda said. 鈥淚n 2018, the fund awarded in the mid-$20,000 range, and in 2019 it was around $35,000.鈥
Among those who will be preparing the meals is Jasmine Nickles, a second-year student from Rockford, Illinois. Nickles was involved in last year鈥檚 luncheon, which she enjoyed for more than just the chance to gain kitchen experience.
鈥淪oul food is the best food ever,鈥 she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 just really comforting. I love the fried chicken, greens, cornbread ... all of it. It truly speaks to the soul.鈥
For those unfamiliar with soul food staples, this year鈥檚 menu includes鈥攁long with the aforementioned dishes鈥攂arbecued back ribs, dinner rolls, red velvet cupcakes, peach cobbler and bottled water.
Tickets sold for between $10-$12, and portions, as always, are expected to be generous.
Nickles is clear on what else attendees should expect.
鈥淗appiness, and a full belly,鈥 she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 just a great chance to experience some new foods people maybe never have tried before.鈥
Along with encouraging people to come out and try a different cuisine, Nickles said she hopes the luncheon will inspire others to follow their dreams鈥攐r to support those who do.
鈥淚t鈥檚 important to get more minorities out for things like this,鈥 she said. 鈥淚f they see colleges doing things like this, it might inspire them to go to school, get out in the community. And it might inspire others to support more black-owned businesses.鈥
A bowl of prepared boxed macaroni and cheese isolated on white.
Night_music
Where to find live local entertainment from Feb. 4-11, 2021
Thursday, Feb. 4
Music
Neighbors Bar & Grill, 7745 Forest Hills Road, Loves Park, Illinois鈥擫ittle Miss Whiskey, 8 p.m.
Pig Iron Pub and Grub, 613 St. Paul Ave., Beloit鈥擫an Solo, 7 p.m.
Stable Rock Winery, 123 W. Milwaukee St., Jefferson鈥擟apt. Casey & The New Resolution Band and open mic, 5 p.m.
Games
Barkley鈥檚 Burgers, Brews & Dawgs, 2710 W. Court St., 糖心Vlog传媒鈥擳rivia, 6:30 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 5
Music
Bogey鈥檚 Burgers & Beer, 1700 N. Washington St., 糖心Vlog传媒鈥擝rooke Nunn, 6 p.m.
Coach鈥檚 Bar & Grill, 2745 Prairie Ave., Beloit鈥擲everio Mancieri, 6 p.m.
Gar-Mins Bottoms Up, 3360 S. Riverside Drive, Beloit鈥擳im O鈥橤rady, 8 p.m.
Grand Avenue Pub, 132 Grand Ave., Beloit鈥擩amie Campbell and Friends, 8 p.m.
Hammy鈥檚 Roadside Bar, 2131 Center Ave., 糖心Vlog传媒鈥擱ainbow Bridge, 7 p.m.
Merrill & Houston鈥檚 Steak Joint, 500 Pleasant St., Beloit鈥擲oundbox, 8 p.m.
Moose Lodge, 418 W. Milwaukee St., 糖心Vlog传媒鈥擠ean鈥檚 Blue Country, 7 p.m.
Pier 290 Restaurant, 1 Liechty Drive, Williams Bay鈥擠鈥橪ite Duo, 6 p.m.
Studio Winery, 401 E. Sheridan Springs Road, Lake Geneva鈥擩eff Trudell, 5 p.m.
Sunset Bar & Grill, W7905 High Ridge Road, Fort Atkinson鈥擩osh from Cherry Pie, 6 p.m.
VFW, 1015 Center Ave., 糖心Vlog传媒鈥擣rank & Co. Band, 7 p.m.
Whiskey Ranch Bar & Grill, 24 S. Main St., 糖心Vlog传媒鈥擠J, 10 p.m. (EDM night).
Games
Timber Hill Winery, 1223 E. Storrs Lake Road, Milton鈥擳rivia, 6 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 6
Music
Delavan Lake Store and Lounge, 2001 N. Shore Drive, Delavan鈥擪elly Schauf, 7 p.m.
Ducks Crossing, W5003 Highway 18, Jefferson鈥擪araoke, 8 p.m.
Gar-Mins Bottoms Up, 3360 S. Riverside Drive, Beloit鈥擝CT, 8 p.m.
Hammy鈥檚 Roadside Bar, 2131 Center Ave., 糖心Vlog传媒鈥擪araoke with Mike and Amy, 6 p.m.
Jonathan鈥檚 on Brick Street, 116 E. Walworth Ave., Delavan鈥擠uane Worden, 6 p.m.
O鈥橰iley & Conway鈥檚 Irish Pub, 214 W. Milwaukee St., 糖心Vlog传媒鈥擝lackwater, 7 p.m.
Pig Iron Pub and Grub, 613 St. Paul Ave., Beloit鈥攄eLaney, 7:30 p.m.
Retro City Rockade, 1944 Center Ave., 糖心Vlog传媒鈥擟onvoy and Dirt Road Rebelz, 8 p.m. (鈥淪ave Our City鈥 COVID benefit).
The Ridge, W4240 Highway 50, Lake Geneva鈥擟hris Kohn, 8 p.m.
Studio Winery, 401 E. Sheridan Springs Road, Lake Geneva鈥擳he Leftovers, 5 p.m.
The Table, 4910 County D, Afton鈥擮pen jam with Russ Doiel and Mr. G, 4 p.m.
Games
Moose Lodge, 418 W. Milwaukee St., 糖心Vlog传媒鈥擝ingo, noon.
Sunday, Feb. 7
Music
Zenda Tap, N560 Zenda Road, Zenda鈥擪araoke, 8 p.m.
Monday, Feb. 8
Games
Bogey鈥檚 Burgers & Beer, 1700 N. Washington St., 糖心Vlog传媒鈥擳rivia, 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 9
Music
Stagecoach Inn, 6396 County Line Road, Fort Atkinson鈥擟yndi Meyer, 6 p.m.
Games
Boxcars Pub and Grub, 108 Allen St., Clinton鈥擝ingo, 6 p.m.
Crafted Pizza and Tap, W4240 Highway 50, Lake Geneva鈥擳rivia, 7 p.m.
Red Zone Pub and Grill, 403 W. High St., Milton鈥擝ingo, 6:30 p.m.
VFW, 1015 Center Ave., 糖心Vlog传媒鈥擝ingo, 6 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 10
Games
Bogey鈥檚 Burgers & Beer, 1700 N. Washington St., 糖心Vlog传媒鈥擝ingo, 6 p.m.
Cattails Bar, 2517 N. Shore Drive, Delavan鈥擝ingo, 6 p.m.
The Depot, 20 S. Main St., Edgerton鈥擳rivia, 6:30 p.m.
Fast Eddy鈥檚 Bar & Grill, 1704 Rockport Road, 糖心Vlog传媒鈥擝ingo, 6 p.m.
Pete鈥檚 Inn Bar & Grill, 14 N. Madison St., Evansville鈥擝ingo, 6 p.m.
Stable Rock Winery, 123 W. Milwaukee St., Jefferson鈥擝ingo, 6 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 11
Music
Pig Iron Pub and Grub, 613 St. Paul Ave., Beloit鈥擮pen jam, 7 p.m.
Games
Barkley鈥檚 Burgers, Brews & Dawgs, 2710 W. Court St., 糖心Vlog传媒鈥擳rivia, 6:30 p.m.
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