PULLMAN — Fathers throughout Chicago will show off their grilling and culinary skills on Sunday.
It’s time for the 26th annual Real Men Cook event, which brings together hundreds of men on Father’s Day.
The Real Men Charities nonprofit is hosting the family-friendly celebration at Palmer Park, 201 E. 111th St., from 3-6 p.m. There will be a gospel stage where several different choirs will perform, along with interpretive and praise dancers.
The children's pavilion will have activities such as jumping gyms and video games, and a health and wellness tent will allow people to get free health screenings and watch healthy cooking demonstrations.
Tickets for the three-hour tasting event for adults are $25 and can be bought online. The price covers food and dessert sampling, free beverages and entertainment. There will even a MillerCoors hosted beer garden for those 21 and older. Children's tickets are $10 and include unlimited hot dogs and hamburgers.
Rael Jackson, president of Real Men Cook, took over the event for his parents, Kofi Moyo and Yvette Moyo, in 2014. His mother said Jackson began preparing to take over the event they co-founded when he was 12.
“It was mandatory work from the time he was 12 until he ran away to college, sometimes he was our only employee,” she said.
The event became too much responsibility and that’s when leadership was passed down to him.
“I’m more than proud. I am so moved and inspired by his ability to work through so many obstacles,” Moyo said.
New this year will be volunteer police officers who will help cook and serve, Jackson said, a move he said will help strengthen the relationship between the community and the police.
The annual event is about more than food and entertainment, said Jackson, who grew up in Chatham.
“Most of [black] men aren’t shooting each other, we aren’t murdering each other,” he said. “Our men want to do the right thing. Our aspiration is to shine a light on these men who are making a difference, who want to show the community what they do through their actions and food is definitely an active love.”
More than 2,500 attended last year, he said.
Moyo said it’s important to continue the event because the media doesn’t show black men in a positive light frequently enough.
“This humanizes our men,” she said.
Jesse Harris, 46, will be participating for his third year. He operates the grill, cooking hamburgers and hot dogs. The South Shore resident has seven sons who he brings every year.
“I think this is great,” he said. I think it’s great that they get to see positive male interactions that’s not all about ‘Chiraq,’ but there are guys that get out here and do things that benefit the community.”
Does he encourage other fathers to get on board?
"Absolutely. I think it’s great. I would recommend it to other guys."
Restaurants that want to donate food for the event can contact the organization at 708-351-4897.
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