BQFF's Grand Tasting:
Presented by Food Network

The most delicious party of the year!

Saturday & Sunday, May 3rd & 4th

An all-out, flavor-packed, high-energy weekend celebrating LGBTQIA+ chefs, restaurants, and entertainers.

We're spilling out onto the streets for a food and drink block party, serving up heaps of bites, sips, & spectacles.

All-inclusive bites from each of our chefs, inclusive samples of drinks from our distillers, brewers, and winemakers, plus full-sized drinks for purchase.

LA-based fashion icon, makeup artist, and winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars Season 7. Serving high glam and avant-garde elegance. @sutanamrull

Actor, author, recording artist, and Drag Race legend. Known for sharp wit, iconic roles (A Star is Born, EastSiders), and being banned from the main stage. @willam

Boston-born queen and Drag Race fan fave across four seasons. Singer, host, and all-around icon with heart, humor, and high heels. @jujubeeonline

Party Royalty

We've got a few familiar faces serving at the Grand Tasting

Raja

Willam

Jujubee

Miz Cracker

Drag Race star, comedian, writer, and cook. Known for her quick wit, standout moments (Drag Race, Bon Appétit’s Culturally Queer), and slaying the stage. @mizcracker

Unlimited tastings of unforgettable food

plus samples of delicious spirits, wines, and beers.

DJs, legendary talent, and sickening surprise guests.

Delicious cocktails, beers, and wine by the glass from Daiquiris & Daisies, Bubble Bath, and Alewives.

Top Chef alum + Nashville fave. Chef behind Suzy Wong’s and International Market. Queen of flavor and flair.

Boston chef, Chopped champ, Top Chef alum. Bold bites at Para Maria.

Detroit chef + author of Kung Food. Queer, viral, genre-defying deliciousness.

What's Cookin?

From local legends to national names, these are the folks firing up the fun at this year’s Grand Tasting and beyond.

Arnold Myint

Tatiana Rosana

Jon Kung

Mexico City–based chef + author of Mi Cocina. Queer food icon bringing big joy and bold Mexican flavors. @chefrickmartinez

Boston-based James Beard winner + Top Chef alum. Chef-owner of Bar Volpe and Fox & the Knife. @chefkarenakunowicz

Boston chef behind Ritcey East. Serving big flavors with a side of nostalgia. Pop-up pro, dog dad, good vibes. @maxritcey

Rick Martinez

Karen Akunowicz

Max Ritcey

NYC-based baker + TV personality known for over-the-top sweets and unapologetic joy. Founder of Mr. Bake Sweets. @mrbakesweets

Chef at Gedney Farm in New Marlborough, MA. Food Network fave (Chopped, Food Network Star) known for rustic, seasonal cooking with heart. @chefmicheleragussis

NYC pastry chef + TV dessert darling (Top Chef: Just Desserts, Halloween Baking Championship). Creator of the Internet-famous PieCaken. @zac_young

Kareem Queeman

Michele Ragussis

Zac Young

NYC-based chef + caterer bringing bold Lebanese flavors to every table. Founder of Edy’s Grocer and queer kitchen icon. @edymassih

James Beard–nominated chef based in Mystic, CT. Culinary force behind The Port of Call and Oyster Club. @reneetouponce

Boston-based chef and pastry pro. Co-owner of Nuvieux Patisserie and part of the team at Fuji. Sweet, bold, and community-driven. @chefrobgonzalez

Edy Massih

Renee Touponce

Rob Gonzalez

Milwaukee-based chef + co-owner of Amilinda. Known for soulful, Spanish-Latin cooking and community-driven hospitality. @amilindamke

Boston-based wine pro + restaurateur behind haley.henry and nathálie. Curating killer wine lists and cozy vibes with a femme-forward twist. @wine_baby

Columbia, SC–based pastry chef, food writer, and recipe developer. Recognized as one of the South’s best bakers, he’s known for blending storytelling, queerness, and soul into every bake. Author of the upcoming cookbook Potluck Desserts. @justintsburke

Gregory León

Haley Fortier

Justin Burke

Boston-based pastry chef with COJE Group. Behind the dreamy desserts at hotspots like Yvonne’s and Mariel. Precision, creativity, and sweetness in every bite.

Boston-based Chief Content Officer of America's Test Kitchen. @testcook

Brooklyn-born, Boston-based chef + executive editor at America’s Test Kitchen. Founder of SheChef and champion for equity in food media. @ellesimone_scott

Mai Nguyen

Dan Souza

Elle Simone Scott

Boston-based pastry chef at Saltie Girl and founder of Sweet Boy Desserts. Serving up playful sweets with heart and flair. @bensidell

Restaurateur behind Boston favorites like Trina’s Starlite Lounge, Parlor Sports, and Paddle Inn. Champion of community, hospitality, and good times. @emholla

The Nashville powerhouse duo behind The Mockingbird and Tio Fun. Bringing LGBTQ+ community together in Nashville. @tiofuntaqueria

Ben Sidell

Emma Hollander

Brian Riggenbach & Mikey Corona

Boston-based chef and culinary director at Rare Steakhouse. Known for bold flavors, sharp technique, and commanding the grill with style. @meganleighvaughan

Boston-based chef and Hell’s Kitchen alum, placing 5th in Season 14 and 3rd in the All-Stars Season 17. Co-founder of Kitchen to Aisle Catering & Events, delivering innovative dishes with a personal touch. @chefnickpetersbond

LA-based chef and MasterChef winner. Culinary prodigy with serious pastry chops and major star power. @chefdarayu

Megan Vaughan

Nick Peters Bond

Dara Yu

Serving It Up

Our BQFF vendor lineup is dishing out delicious samples and repping the best of queer food, flavor, and flair

Entrance from 1PM to 4PM

General Admission

Early Admission

VIP

THE VIP TICKET offers all the privileges of general admission, GA ticket with the earliest admission time, plus access to special VIP areas to lounge, eat, and gab.

Featuring delicious, exclusive additional tasting experiences, a hosted bar of your own, and that's just the start! It's a real self-care kind of experience.

General Admission gets you into our incredible grand tasting, hosted in and around Boston's biggest and best food hall, High Street Place. With access to free, unlimited sips and bites from over 20 restaurants, chefs, winemakers, spirits, non-alcoholic spirits, plus live entertainment, meet & greets with fabulous talent, and access to cash bars for full-sized drinks.

Early Admission gets you into the grand tasting a full hour before the general admission crowd, Beat the crowds and have more time to explore the bounty of the festival, interact with vendors, and enjoy the day at a more leisurely pace.

You'll be happy to have the extra hour of time in our lusher, larger, engaging space.

Grand Tasting Tickets

$95

Kids

Ages 0 - 2: free entry, no ticket necessary.

Ages 3 - 12: $25

May 3rd & 4th

Two days of indoor/outdoor food tasting bliss

Entrance from 12PM to 4PM

$145

First Entry! At 11:30AM until 4PM

$250

Saturday & Sunday

Dates

Time

Location

11:30am - VIP Entry

12:00pm - Early Entry

1:00 – 4:00pm - General Admission

High Street Place

100 High Street, Boston, MA 02110

The Where & When

May 3rd & May 4th

And Check Out BQFF's Other Events All Week!

Stay & Slay

We've teamed up with Boston's best hotel properties for exclusive rates during the festival so you can rest, recharge, and keep the partying going in style!

More events being announced oh so very soon!

Subscribe to our mailing list to be the first to be alerted when tickets go on sale and hear about additional festival week events.

Supporting Our Community

BQFF is committed to empowering our community by supporting and amplifying our non-profit organization partners.

Delivers medically tailored meals to chronically ill individuals across Boston, promoting racial and economic justice. Since 1990, they’ve provided over 13 million meals to those with illnesses like HIV, cancer, and diabetes.

Boston Alliance of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Youth supports LGBTQIA+ youth in Boston by providing a safe space, mental health services, and educational programs. Their advocacy and peer support empower young people to thrive.

A national leader in advancing LGBTQ advocacy and representation. Through storytelling, media, and programs, GLAAD fosters acceptance, tackles challenging issues, and protects progress, striving for a world where everyone can live authentically.