Belle’s Kitchen: Live cook-off returns to Tulsa, supporting culinary dreams and community
(TULSA, Okla.) Final preparations are underway for the 2025 Belle's Kitchen Cook-Off and Graduation, taking place Friday at 4 p.m. at Crossover Community Impact, located at 1010 E 36th St N in Tulsa.
General attendees will watch the cook-off live and enjoy a dinner catered by Carabelle’s Legacy, the nonprofit behind the transformational program.
“This has been a challenging yet inspirational year for Belle's Kitchen,” Founder and Chef Maria Morris said. “A lot of transitions, adversity, and grief - but it has been another chance to demonstrate the power of community and an amazing display of the resilience and the drive of our apprentices, team, and organization as a whole.”
Both the non-profit and program are named in honor of Morris’s daughter, Carabelle, who lost her life in a fire in 2018.
The program supports justice-impacted women with hands-on skills, mentorship, and connections. And it’s just one of the ways the Carabelle’s Legacy supports community members who won’t find help elsewhere. The nonprofit also provides wraparound support for fire victims, employment opportunities for justice-involved people and hope for a stronger future.
New this year, Belle’s Kitchen apprentices will team up to compete in the friendly culinary cohort showdown. Judges will taste the dishes and vote for their favorites. Apprentices will also have the opportunity to debut their own individual creation for the peoples' choice dessert challenge.
And, for the second year in a row, attendees will be treated to a live dinner performance by the Tulsa Opera.
“There is so much jam-packed into the night - not just celebrating the new chefs and their journeys, but also the accomplishments of Carabelle's Legacy and the opportunities the community has to pitch in,” Morris said.
Morris said this year, as always, has been about so much more than just food.
“It opens your eyes. and breaks your heart, and it humbles you,” Morris said. “And it inspires you. It reminds you of real humanity, and the power of second chances. It’s about grace, uplifting each other, and building community for many.”
Organizers said every ticket sold helps fund culinary stipends and tools for future participants, emergency support for fire-affected families, and job placement.
Cost of admission is $30 per person for General Attendee tickets and $100 per Judge Seat.
Sponsorship opportunities are also available.
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