AMERICA'S SOUL FOOD MUSEUM RECEIVES RAVE REVIEWS

Chef Dr. Kenneth Willhoite

Atlanta, GA (BlackNews.com) - Michael Jackson, the greatest entertainer of all time is remembered at America's Soul Food Museum of Atlanta, Georgia. Chef, Dr. Kenneth Willhoite, promoted and sold Michael Jackson's father's, "Joe Cola" drink, in the Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia area in the mid 80's. His son, Michael Jackson's favorite dessert was his mom, Mrs. Katherine Jackson's delicious sweet potato pie. The day the world celebrated the greatest entertainer in the world at his memorial, complimentary slices of sweet potato pie were served in his memory at America's Soul Food Museum.

America's Soul Food Museum would be a great added attraction to any city or town looking to create jobs, promote travel, trade and tourism and also document its local history. Stimulus monies may be available!

America's Soul Food Museum receives rave reviews for its daily tours conducted by Chef, Dr. Kenneth Willhoite, founder & CEO of the museum. The museum is a right of passage for those interested in culinary arts and hospitality. Walk through the doors of the Soul Food Museum in Atlanta, Ga., and be prepared to encounter 400 years of African Americans' contributions to the culinary arts and hospitality industry! Chef, Dr. Kenneth Willhoite is a sought after motivational speaker, author, caterer and griot, founded the organization in 2002, as a way of documenting 400 years of African American history and presenting it to the next generation, which is similar to that of Tavis Smiley's America I Am tour.

After 35 years of research, Dr. Willhoite has collected a museum full of great facts, products recipes and memories! For example, did you know that an African American invented the potato chip? His name was George Crum. Are you aware of Smokey Robinson's line of cuisine? Did you know that Patti LaBelle has a line of Hot Sauce? And that several rappers, including Lil John, Nelly, Tupac, 50 Cents and others have energy drinks and vitamin waters? Some of the most popular food items at the Soul Food Museum are Lawdy Miss Clawdy breakfast cereals, by entertainer Lloyd Price, Georgia's own sausage manufactured by David L. Martin of Home Style Foods, Johnny James's Optimus Energy Drink, Mix Match popcorn manufactured by popcorn and more out of Dolton, Illinois and Michele's Honey Crème Syrup. It is his God given mission and soul desire to bring all people together around the new healthy and delicious soul food.

Willhoite states that when he was 16 years old, he threw his hands up to God and asked, "What am I supposed to do as a little black boy in America? Why did I pop out of my mama's belly? Lord what is my mission? What is my vision? What is my destiny?"

"I want to know," Willhoite said. God answered his prayer and said, son you are to document a peoples history and cook good food and present that food well and when given the opportunity witness for me through the food.

At the Soul Food Museum, visitors can embark on a 45 minute tour, where you will learn of the various culinary inventions and foods that African Americans are responsible for. On special occasions on your tour, you will get to sample some celebrity famous recipes! Among these special treats could be; Oprah Winfrey's oven fried chicken, Aretha Franklins famous peach cobbler, Quincy Jones famous BBQ Ribs, Luther Vandross' turkey meatloaf or Sammy Davis Jr.'s delicious spaghetti. You'll hear about the many African American celebrities that were and are restaurant owners, like James Brown, Mahalia Jackson, Oprah Winfrey, Michael Jordan, B.B. King, Debbie Allen, Marla Gibbs and Isaac Hayes.

Black chefs, cooks, waiters, waitresses, bartenders, housekeepers, shoe shiners, janitors as well as restaurant, hotel owners, food manufacturers and churches throughout the United States have contributed to this endeavor. They have come together to document their contributions for the purpose of inspiring, educating and motivating our youth and creating jobs in the community. We are teaching our young people how to become entrepreneurs.

Every year they host an award celebration and Southern Heritage Expo, honoring the top 100 African Americans involved in the food and hospitality industry. Celebrating 400 years building on the legacy of our ancestors.

To date, the ages of these honorees range from 12 to 89 years of age. The Soul Food Museum is open 7 days a week and is a great spot for hosting a family reunion in Atlanta. The Soul Food Museum also offers to tourist from around the world visiting Atlanta, a tasty Soul Food Restaurant Extravaganza Tour around the beautiful City of Atlanta.

The tour is sponsored by prestigious Bonjour Travel and Events Planning featuring, Exotic Tropical Island vacations, luxury and adventure cruises, romantic getaways, honeymoon packages, safaris, and tours. If you need a vacation we're here to help you find the perfect experience. Dates for the next Soul Food Museum Extravaganza Tour is August 19-22, 2009, please contact Bonjour Travel for information regarding registration/reservations for the tour at 770-982-9521, also visit Bonjour Travel website at www.elaborateservices.com

Dr. Willhoite has been featured in the Atlanta Journal Constitution, New York Times, Black Meetings and Tourism Magazine, Chicago Tribune, Black Enterprise, Washington Times and has a book chronicling his 35 years of research to be in book stores this summer.

Entrance to the museum is $5 for adults and $3 for kids and senior citizens. America's Soul Food Museum is located ½ block from the historic Martin Luther King Center @ 372 Auburn Avenue NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30312, www.soulfoodmuseum.org - (678) 508-9478.