The National African American Culinary Arts and Hospitality Association and Museum to hold its Black History Month Southern Heritage Food Expo in Atlanta, Georgia

Founder Dr. Kenneth Willhoite will honor the top 100 African Americans involved in the culinary arts and hospitality industry across the U.S. and pay tribute to the late entertainer James Brown and legendary cook,
Edna Lewis.

(AANEWSWIRE)ATLANTA, GA -- On Saturday, February 17, 2007, the National African American Culinary Arts and Hospitality Association will hold its National African American Culinary Arts Museum fundraiser, the 5th Annual Black History Month Southern Heritage Food Expo ( 9 am - 5 pm) and the African American Culinary Arts Awards ( 7 pm - 11pm). The events will be held at the Holiday Inn Select, 450 Capitol Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30312. The events are open to the community and for more information, check the Association web site (www.naacaha.com) or contact Dr. Kenneth Willhoite via phone (404) 917-2665 or email (drwillhoite@yahoo.com).

Museum and Association Founder Dr. Kenneth Willhoite will celebrate the Museum's opening and honor the top 100 African Americans involved in the culinary arts and hospitality industry across the U.S. Also, the keynote speaker of the event will be Mr. George Andrews, President and CEO of Capitol City Bank in Atlanta, GA. In addition, there will be a special tribute to James Brown, the legendary entertainer and Edna Lewis, the late cook who defined Southern cuisine.

The National African American Culinary Arts and Hospitality Association Museum, located at 210 Auburn Avenue, Suite 9, Atlanta, GA is now open, with Phase 2, coming later this year, including a TV studio and revolving kitchen where chefs can film their shows. The museum is the only one of its kind in the world. It documents via research and exhibits the 400 years of contributions that African Americans have made in the culinary arts and hospitality industry. Some of the noted exhibits include Muhammad Ali cookies, Gladys Knight's Georgia Peach Butter and Smokey Robinson's New Orleans Gumbo.

Like the entertainment industry honors its best and greatest, The National African American Culinary Arts and Hospitality Association looks forward to honoring its best in the industry, including African American family restaurant owners throughout America as well as the African American chefs, cooks, waitresses, waiters and catering companies throughout America and the world.

"We are building on the legacy of our ancestors," says museum and association founder Dr. Kenneth Willhoite, who has cooked for people such as Patti LaBelle, Earth, Wind and Fire, Muhammad Ali, Diana Ross, Dr. Dorothy Height, and others. "The primary mission of the National African American Culinary Arts and Hospitality Association is to build on the 400 year legacy of our ancestors by enabling its members to become fully functional in all areas of culinary arts and hospitality and to also research, collect, preserve, protect, package, demonstrate and/or disseminate the rich cultural heritage and pride found in ethnic cuisine."

All are invited to attend the 5th Annual Black History Month Southern Heritage Food Expo and African American Culinary Arts Awards. For more information on this event or tickets, contact Dr. Kenneth Willhoite at (404) 917-2665 or via email at drwillhoite@yahoo.com. For information and tickets, go to www.naacaha.com.

The Executive
Leadership Council