Soul Food London Tour 2025: A Landmark Celebration of Culture, Cuisine, and Connection

Soul Food London Tour 2025 – Official Recap

At le Cordon Bleu Institute, London - 9th December Photo Credit: Stefano Spigno The Soul Food London Tour, which took place from 7–14 December 2025, was a resounding success, bringing together celebrated culinary talent from the United States for an unforgettable cultural and gastronomic experience in London.

Organised by Esther Austin Global, the tour celebrated Soul Food, Southern comfort, and Creole cuisine through a dynamic programme of live cooking demonstrations, masterclasses, media interviews, exclusive VIP restaurant takeovers, and private cultural engagements. The initiative engaged culinary students, food enthusiasts, media professionals, industry leaders, and VIP guests, creating a rich and immersive exchange of food, heritage, and storytelling.

Celebrity Guest Chefs

The tour featured four outstanding chefs from the United States:

• Chef Jerome Brown – Celebrity chef to stars including Shaquille O’Neal and Colin Powell, Priscilla Presley and many more, renowned for his refined Southern and Creole creations. He is also an author of several books.

.• Chef Sondrá Rhodes – Executive chef and restaurateur celebrated for her soulful Low Country cuisine

.• Chef George Outlaw – Specialist in contemporary Southern coastal flavours and experiential dining

.• Chef Ricky Simpson Jr. – Acclaimed for his fusion of Caribbean and global techniques with Southern comfort traditions.

Together, these chefs delivered an extraordinary blend of Southern, Creole, Caribbean, and international flavours, seamlessly merging high-end celebrity catering with deep regional culinary expertise.

Tour Highlights

Tuesday 9 December – Le Cordon Bleu London

The tour officially launched at the world’s most prestigious culinary institute, Le Cordon Bleu London, in a landmark event that was live streamed globally. The session attracted international audiences and showcased live cooking demonstrations, culinary storytelling, and meaningful cross-cultural dialogue.

🎥 Watch the live stream:https://www.youtube.com/live/3tOIFyCLx3A

Wednesday 10 December – House of Gods, Canary Wharf

Guests were invited to a private tour of the stunning House of Gods Boutique Hotel, ahead of its official launch in January 2026. The experience offered an exclusive preview of the venue and opened conversations around future hospitality collaborations.

Thursday 11 December – Private Members Club

A powerful and intimate private event was held at a Private Members Club, hosted alongside a Sheikh dedicated to empowering individuals working on tea plantations. The meeting focused on social impact, sustainability, and global collaboration, reinforcing the tour’s purpose beyond cuisine.

Friday 12 December – Meet, Greet & Chill

An electric evening took place at Escape Bar and Caribbean Restaurant, which was packed with guests eager to connect with the celebrity chefs. The chefs prepared their signature American Soul Food bread pudding and curated a bespoke cocktail using their signature bourbon, BlackEden1912.

The night was filled with dancing, networking, joy, and celebration, perfectly capturing the warmth and vibrancy of Soul Food culture.

Sunday 14 December – The White Hart Pub, Maidenhead

The tour concluded with a fantastic collaborative event at The White Hart Pub in Maidenhead. This special evening brought together Award-Winning Chef Nand and the USA guest chefs in a celebration of British–Indian–American Soul Food fusion. Guests enjoyed the opportunity to connect, share insights, and celebrate culinary artistry across cultures.

A Lasting Impact

The Soul Food London Tour 2025 demonstrated the power of food as a universal language, successfully bridging continents, cultures, and communities. Through collaboration, creativity, and cultural pride, the tour set a new benchmark for international culinary engagement and laid the foundation for future global experiences curated by Esther Austin Global.

For details of our Bespoke Services contact: esther@estheraustinglobal.biz