CHICAGO (WLS) — A Father’s Day tradition returned to the South Side on Sunday, and it’s making Chicago Proud.
Real Men Cook is an annual celebration of Black fatherhood, and some dads spent the day uplifting their community with home cooking.
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Amateur chefs got to show off their culinary skills, serving up sample-sized portions of their specialties. The dishes did not disappoint.
A variety of food was on the menu at Real Men Cook, an annual event in its 36th year always held on father’s day.
Yvette Moyo is the organizer, who said she wanted to counteract a harmful narrative about Black men and fatherhood.
“The inspiration came from wanting to convey the truth about Black men and their families, emphasizing the love that prevails, and the unique presence they hold that might differ from other families,” Moyo stated.
The event takes place at the Quarry Center on 75th Street in South Shore. With an entry fee of $25, attendees are offered the chance to sample food outdoors on the patio or enjoy entertainment indoors.
Proceeds support Real Men Charities programs, which include health and wellness initiatives in the Black community.
“This weekend, we managed to have over 210 men participate in screenings with an African-American wellness agency during Black men’s wellness day,” said Real Men Cook President Rael Jackson. “Consequently, over 210 men received physicals and health screenings, and I think it’s phenomenal how Father’s Day is set to grow.”
Jackson is Moyo’s son and will be taking over for his mother going forward.
While the tradition owes its start to Moyo and other women who started Real Men Cook, Jackson reflected on this Father’s Day what he learned from his dad.
“I learned how to play chess. He taught me how to move through Chicago,” Jackson said. “He taught me how to be a good person.”
The men were the stars of the show Sunday, and the food looked good. There were about 20 dishes for attendees to sample.
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