After a one-day stint in Boston last April, the Big Queer Food Fest is expanding into a week-long celebration of food and community, with tons of free and ticketed events running from April 28 to May 4. Think: course after course of tastings, dinners, soirees, and panels, all leading up to a grand tasting at downtown Boston food hall High Street Place.
“We’re thrilled to expand BQFF into a week-long experience that shines a spotlight on the remarkable talent within the LGBTQIA+ food community and Boston’s dynamic culinary scene,” says Chad Hahne, co-founder of BQFF. “We built this festival to make space for queer voices in food — to honor the creativity, resilience, and brilliance that too often go unseen. This year’s events aren’t just about great food — they’re about visibility, connection, and celebrating who we are.”
The event features chefs from both near and far — Boston restaurateur and James Beard Award-winning chef Karen Akunowicz, restaurateur and Food Network fixture Tiffani Faison, Tatiana Rosana of Para Maria at the Envoy hotel and more — along with drag performers (including Boston legend and perennial RuPaul’s Drag Race favorite Jujubee), influencers, and authors. “In an industry that has long been dominated by rigid hierarchies and outdated norms, queer chefs have often had to fight harder to be recognized, respected, and safe in their kitchens,” says Akunowicz. “A queer food festival provides not only a platform for incredible culinary talent but also a space where joy, community, and authenticity are celebrated without fear.”
Also putting the “good” in “good food,” the festival is partnering with local nonprofits the Boston Alliance of LGBTQ+ Youth, which provides health services and social support for queer kids around the state, and Community Servings, which provides meals for Boston-area families and individuals who are living with chronic and critical illnesses.
“Even in today’s climate, we’re finding power and resilience in the connections between food and community,” adds BQFF cofounder David Lewis. “We’re building more than a festival — we’re creating a platform where food becomes a tool for storytelling, visibility, and connection.”
Here’s a taste of what you can expect at the week-long festival, and head to the BQFF website for the whole menu.
Monday, April 28
Opening Night Sizzle
Sweet Cheeks Q, 1381 Boylston Street, Boston; 6 to 9 p.m., $50.
Chef, restaurateur, and queer activist Tiffani Faison hosts the festival kickoff at her well-loved and long-running barbecue hot spot in Fenway. Come to toast the week ahead with food, drinks, and more.
Tuesday, April 29
Big Queer Beer Time
Dorchester Brewing Co., 1250 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston; 6 to 9 p.m., free. RSVP encouraged.
The festival takes over DBCo’s spacious rooftop for an evening of food, drinks, and socializing. Grab some grub from M&M BBQ, wash it down with the brewery’s beers, hard seltzers, and mocktails, and save room for a sweet treat by pastry chef Robert Gonzalez.
Wednesday, April 30
Big Queer Chefs Dinner
Bar Volpe, 170 West Broadway, Boston; 6 p.m. for VIP, 7 p.m. for dinner, $250-$500.
Celebrity chefs and authors Melissa King (winner of Top Chef: All-Stars L.A.) and Gabe Bertaccini (host of Food Network’s Ciao House) join Boston dining star, author, and James Beard Award-winning chef Karen Akunowicz at her beloved Italian restaurant and pastificio for a four-course meal. VIP tickets include an intimate cocktail hour with the chefs.
Thursday, May 1
Big Queer Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party Museum, 306 Congress Street, Boston; 7 to 10 p.m., $75.
“Tea” as in the sippable drink… and also “tea” as in queer slang for gossip. Join RuPaul’s Drag Race royalty and Boston’s sweetheart, Jujubee, for a queer takeover of the Tea Party Museum. The high-camp evening features drag performances, wines, tea-infused cocktails, and high tea bites by pastry chef Mai Nguyen of COJE Group (Mariel, Yvonne’s, Mr. H, and other restaurants).
Friday, May 2
Serving the Look: Queer Identity in Food Photography & Storytelling
High Street Place, 100 High Street, Boston; 5 p.m., free. RSVP here.
Pastry chef and author Justin Burke chats with Boston-based food and beverage photographer Brian Samuels and stylist Catrine Kelty — the visual team behind his upcoming cookbook Potluck Desserts — on capturing community, history, and joy on camera. Potluck Desserts was inspired by the sense of community and magic of Burke felt after attending his first queer potluck, and the trio will discuss how to share layered, personal stories through the art of food. All She Wrote Books, the Somerville intersectional queer and feminist bookstore, will be selling copies.
Saturday, May 3
Grand Tasting Weekend Day 1
High Street Place, 100 High Street, Boston; 11:30 a.m. VIP admission, 12 p.m. early admission, 1 p.m. general admission. $25-$250.
The festival’s main event is an all-you-can-enjoy party of plates, cocktails, sweets, and special drinks, with DJs, drag pop-ups, and an oversized helping of queer joy. Dozens of chefs from near and far will be joined by mixologists, drag performers, authors, and influencers for a raucus block party to celebrate the best parts of queer hospitality.
Sunday, May 4
Grand Tasting Weekend Day 2: Drag Brunch Edition
High Street Place, 100 High Street, Boston; 11:30 a.m. VIP admission, 12 p.m. early admission, 1 p.m. general admission. $25-$250.
Since there’s nothing quite like a celebratory drag brunch, the festival caps off with the biggest drag brunch bash to hit the city. Rub elbows with buzzy guests, take in drag performances (remember to bring bills to tip the queens), and sip, savor, and celebrate all day.
Check out the Big Queer Food Fest website for more events, including social hours at venues across the city that feature curated menus and also benefit nonprofit partners BAGLY and Community Servings.
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