Bring a chair, Tampeños, and let your taste buds take another trip around the world with a visit to Carrollwood.
The third annual Food from the Soul Festival returns this month, to spotlight global eats from local food trucks, restaurants and startups owned by people of color.
Expect cooking from all corners of the world including, Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America, and here in the U.S. where the food scene is a melting pot of cultures.
Chefs at the Carrollwood Cultural Center will also tie their aprons at 1:45 p.m. to compete in the “Soul Judging” food competition for best in multiple categories.
Food, drink and market vendors at the 2026 3rd Food From the Soul Festival include:
- Ambi-Od Lemonade
- Caribbean Moonshine
- Conch & More
- Cousin Maine Lobster
- Fyne Sugga’
- GL Global Foods
- Moka’s Italian Ice and Dirty Sodas
- Mr. B’s Soulfood
- PRP Wine International
- Red Lady Rum Punch
- SBL Bao and Patty Cakes
More than a dozen additional vendors are in the works, event organizer Kimberly Jackson told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay.
Some non-food vendors, including The Tampa Black Heritage Festival and Symmonez Consulting, will also join the event.
General admission tickets ($25) offer guests access to vendors. A VIP option ($125) includes a t-shirt and recyclable bag, a VIP seating section, two free drinks, sample plates from a restaurant and an indoor wine-tasting experience at noon from Stephanie Love, local sommelier for Epicurious One.
Capacity is limited, and Carrollwood’s traditional forecast calls for highs in the 80s that week, so guests are advised to bring their own chairs.
3rd Annual Food From The Soul Festival
Time Sat., March 28, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Location Carrollwood Cultural Center, 4537 Lowell Rd., Tampa
This article appears in Mar. 05 – 11, 2026.