On Sunday, Aug. 17, at the Madison Labor Temple, Black Restaurant Week will conclude with an inaugural Farm‑to‑Table Soul Food Brunch Fundraiser, a first-of-its-kind event centered on Black culinary excellence, agricultural heritage, and food justice.
This outdoor brunch invites the community to gather for a beautifully curated family-style meal, where every bite tells a story — not only of culture and creativity, but of legacy and land.
The vision for this closing brunch came from Shellie Meier, a project manager with the Black Chamber of Commerce and a longtime community builder, entrepreneur, and agricultural advocate. Meier, who wears many hats — including leading her own brand Ellie Meyer Luxury, consulting for small businesses, and working in agricultural development — saw an opportunity to shine a light on often-overlooked Black growers.
“A lot of farmers don’t always get seen,” she shared. “They’re out in their fields or at small markets. This brunch brings them to the center, alongside chefs and caterers — all working together to tell a bigger story.”
That story starts with Meier’s father, Robert Pierce, a pioneering Black farmer who has worked Wisconsin’s soil for more than 50 years and now anchors the South Madison Farmers’ Market. This event is as much about honoring his work as it is about forging new paths for the next generation of Black farmers, entrepreneurs, and food justice leaders.
The entire tasting menu — minus the chicken — will feature produce harvested from Pierce’s farm, just miles from where the event takes place. Preparing the food is another one of Meier’s family members: Chef Phillip McAllister, known professionally as Chef Mac, who is traveling from South Carolina to steer the kitchen. Chef Mac is renowned for his artistically plated dishes and elevated farm-to-table experiences.
This full-course meal, served family-style at seated tables, will include appetizers, entrées, and desserts, all designed to invite connection and conversation. Guests will be served directly at the table, creating a welcoming and intimate environment.
“Food brings people together,” Meier said. “When you’re sharing a meal, it’s easier to talk — to open up, to connect. That’s the kind of experience we want to create.”
For many attendees, this brunch will be their first opportunity to meet the people growing their food — and to learn about the deep history of Black farming in the region.
“People don’t always realize how much Black farmers have contributed — or how much they’ve been left out of the spotlight,” Meier explained. “My dad and others have spent decades bringing fresh food to South Madison — a neighborhood that’s faced food insecurity for years. This is a way to acknowledge that work, and to show what food sovereignty really looks like.”
The event also offers a chance to reflect on the broader ties between food, land, health, and justice — how the loss of green space often reflects deeper disinvestment, and how reconnecting to land can be a tool for healing.
Originally scheduled as a separate event, the Food Taste Jamboree — which was rained out earlier in the week — will also be taking place on Sunday from 2-6 p.m. at the Madison Labor Temple. Featuring local Black-owned vendors offering everything from handmade soaps to baked goods, jewelry, art, and more, the Jamboree gives guests a chance to shop, support, and celebrate small business innovation.
“These are vendors who show up every weekend, rain or shine,” said Meier. “Some of them took a financial hit when the Jamboree was canceled. This is a way to uplift and reinvest in their work, too.”
Tickets for both events are still available:
- The Farm-to-Table Brunch includes a full-course meal and is a ticketed fundraiser, with proceeds going to support the chefs, farmers, vendors, and future Black Restaurant Week events.
- The Food Taste Jamboree is free to enter, with vendors offering food and products available for purchase on-site.
At its heart, this event is about community; coming together, recognizing shared roots, and imagining a more equitable food future.
“We’re inviting people to meet their farmers. To break bread together. To nourish each other — not just with food, but with conversation, with connection, with care,” said Meier.
Whether you’re a longtime supporter of Black Restaurant Week or a newcomer to the table, this brunch offers a moment to pause, reflect, and celebrate together.
The Madison Labor Temple is located at 1602 South Park Street in Madison.
