STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Over the weekend, the NYC Soul Food Festival, led by acclaimed Chef Shaw-naé Dixon, turned the Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Gardens, Livingston, into a culinary and cultural celebration.
This year’s expanded festival included Stapleton restaurant Shaw-naé’s House, plus Jacked Up Hot Sauce, Vegan Mike’s, Red’s Lobster House, Bizzy Bakery, Taste of the Caribbean, the Glam Gardener herbal mocktail/coctkail bar and several other presenters.
A special VIP culinary demonstration featuring Chef Carlos and Chef Juwan Rice took place in the Tuscan Garden. The garden also was set up to host musical performances by DJ Fadda Forbes, The Jazztronauts and DJ Dlo.
The main stage on the South Meadow lawn showcased DJs Storm, SussOne and Smoove. There also were performances by BlaqRose and Showtyme & Da Traffic. Maya Da Poet, Eugene, Hasan and Tobias Truvillion will hosted some of the festivities.
Shaw-naé expressed her gratitude to attendees alongside family and pastor, the Rev. Gayle Heyward.
The Reverend said, “Shaw-naé Dixon, owner of Shawn’s House restaurant in New York City…is one whose journey combines professional excellence with deep religious commitment.”
The Delaware Valley Baptist Church in Willingboro, New Jersey, where Dixon and her five children were baptized in July 2015, recently celebrated her accolades. Under the leadership of Senior Pastor Reverend Dr. James L. Beckner, the congregation formally recognized Dixon’s accomplishment through a special resolution on the Soul Food Fest day, Aug. 31, 2025, also the birthday of Shaw-naé’s mother, Gloria Mosley McCombs. Shaw-naé’s family members hail from Sandy Ground, the nation’s oldest free Black settlement still inhabited by its descendants.
Snug Harbor came alive this weekend as the NYC Soul Food Festival returned with flavor, rhythm, and community spirit.(Derek Alvez for the Staten Island Advance/SILive.com)
Scenes from the second annual New York City Soul Food Festival, presented by Shaw-nae’s House, held at the Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden. August 31, 2025.(Derek Alvez for the Staten Island Advance/SILive.com)
Scenes from the second annual New York City Soul Food Festival, presented by Shaw-nae’s House, held at the Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden. August 31, 2025.(Derek Alvez for the Staten Island Advance/SILive.com)
Shaw-nae Dixon was the host of the second annual event.(Derek Alvez for the Staten Island Advance/SILive.com)
From jerk chicken to jazz, the NYC Soul Food Festival transformed Staten Island into a soulful celebration of culture and cuisine.(Derek Alvez for the Staten Island Advance/SILive.com)
The Jazztronauts performed in the Tuscan Garden at a VIP cooking and musical event. (Derek Alvez for the Staten Island Advance/SILive.com)
The Soul Food Festival NYC was held at Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden, Livingston.(Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)
The Soul Food Festival NYC was held at Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden, Livingston.(Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)
The Soul Food Festival NYC was held at Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden, Livingston.(Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)
The Soul Food Festival NYC was held at Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden, Livingston.(Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)
Dixon expressed her gratitude to attendees alongside family and pastor, the Rev. Gayle Heyward.
(Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)
The Soul Food Festival NYC was held at Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden, Livingston.(Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)
Taste of the Caribbean soul food was a star with its carefully prepped Mac ‘n’ cheese and collards with turkey.(Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)
Assemblymember Charles Fall was a presenter at the Soul Food Festival. He served Shaw-nae a proclamation for her work in the community and brining Staten Islanders together. (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)
The Soul Food Festival NYC was held at Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden, Livingston.(Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)
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