Jarita Frazier-King

Jarita Frazier-King blends southern soul food and Creole classics with her own twist. For her, the kitchen is a place of refuge where she communes with the ancestors and tells stories through food. She is known for her Black-eyed Pea and Collard Green Fritters with sweet and spicy chili sauce. Born in Natchez, Mississippi, Chef Rita is a two-time Alcorn State University graduate. She worked in Wellness and Nutrition before co-founding Natchez Heritage School of Cooking. Though self-taught, she learned from her grandmother, Beulah, a chef in the New Orleans Airport Cafeteria. As CEO of Southwest Wellness Association, she advocates for food security and economic improvement in rural communities. Chef Rita has been featured in film, honored in museum exhibits, and founded the Soul Food Fusion Festival, promoting community unity. She believes that, at the table, everyone—regardless of background—should be “Just like Family.”