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.
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
Unlimited tastings of unforgettable food and 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.
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
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
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
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
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 chef + editor-in-chief of Cook’s Illustrated. Host of America’s Test Kitchen and science-forward kitchen nerd (in the best way). @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
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
Boston-area chef behind Greco, Krasi, Hecate, Bar Vlaha, and Kaia. Bringing bold, modern Greek flavors to every table. @brendanpelley
Ben Sidell
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
1pm - 4pm
12pm - 4pm
11:30am - 4pm
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 Entry 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 Ticket Types
One Day Ticket: $95
Two Day Ticket: $180
One Day Ticket: $150
Two Day Ticket: $220
One Day Ticket: $250
Two Day Ticket: $475
Ages 0 - 2: free entry, no ticket necessary.
Ages 3 - 12: General and Early Admission tickets for $25.
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
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.
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© 2025 - Big Queer Food Fest® - All rights reserved.
All events, prices, personalities, performances, venues, dates, and times are subject to change without notice. All tickets are non-refundable and cannot be exchanged, without exception and irrespective of the price of the ticket at the time of purchase. Other than grand tasting events, no one under 21 years of age will be admitted unless otherwise noted. Tickets to the festival are not tax-deductible. Big Queer Food Fest urges all adults to consume alcoholic products responsibly and to use public transportation or rideshare programs.
Proudly sponsored by:
Brand Partnerships & Brand Involvement
Grand Tasting presented by:
