NATCHEZ — Local chefs plan to bring a diverse community around the dinner table like one large family this weekend with the inaugural Soul Food Fusion Festival.

Organizer Jarita Frazier-King of the Natchez Heritage School of Cooking said starting at 6 p.m. Saturday, a dinner table that seats 120 people will be set up on Commerce Street between Franklin and Main streets while her and other chefs of color bring a variety of flavors to the table for an adult’s only food festival like no other.

Frazier-King said food is one tool that could bring people together regardless of race, religion or cultural differences.

“Just like one big family, we want to have everyone at one table to embrace our past and our differences and move forward as one community into our future,” Frazier-King said, “and the best way to do that is with food.”

Frazier-King said she has partnered with great chefs and organizations such as Barber’s Catering and Cakes LLC “dynamic duo,” Darron and Niclese Barber, Yolanda Morgan of Morgan’s Catering and Queen Wilson of Southern-Style Catering.

The chefs will bring their best soul food, Cajun, Italian and Mexican cuisines and much more, Frazier-King said, and tasting packages will be available for $20 each while live music and socialization are provided at no charge.

The doors of the surrounding art galleries will be open and several arts and crafts vendors will be set up on site, Frazier-King said.

Those in attendance are encouraged to hash-tag photos on social media with “sfffntz2019” and to wear white, comfortable clothing, which is symbolic of purity and new beginnings, Frazier-King said.

Those who are not free to grab a plate Saturday still have a chance to meet and greet chefs and taste wine and food samples starting at 5:30 p.m. this Friday at Concord Quarters, Frazier-King said.

Tickets to the social at Concord quarters are $10 each and seating is limited.

More information and reservations to the chef’s social are available online on the Soul Food Fusion Festival social media pages.