Hello. It’s me. A Houstonian foodie right here to provide the actual concerning the inaugural Honeyland that went down in Sugar Land, Texas this weekend. From the start, this occasion caught the eye of foodies like myself. Promoters initially billed Honeyland as a meals and wine competition with music acts, all of which might spotlight Black tradition. They even pulled out Marcus Samuelsson for the preliminary promo calling him the curator of the meals, which led me to consider this could be a legit occasion. As extra concerning the occasion got here out, it was clear to me that this occasion was not going to be what I anticipated. So listed here are 10 Honeyland Fest Takeaways!
However earlier than I get into that, let me add this. I’ve been running a blog for nearly 10 years, have attended and recapped extra meals and music festivals than I can depend. Whereas additionally internet hosting my very own sampling occasions within the Houston space. My expectations for Honeyland have been primarily based on my experiences with occasions just like the Household Reunion, Charleston Wine & Meals, Essence Competition, Southern Smoke Competition and even Afrochella all the best way in Ghana.
Are you a FOOD competition or a music competition?
As I shared above, the meals caught my consideration. The music was a pleasant second as I’ve seen many of those artists earlier than at music festivals like Essence. Based mostly on the worth level and the heavy promotion on meals, I bought tickets assuming that it might be like each different meals competition I’ve attended. I believed my ticket would you give me entry to meals samples from some high cooks as has been the case at many meals occasions just like the Household Reunion and Southern Smoke. At these occasions, the samples typically depart you feeling full and are an excellent culinary displaying.
An early iteration of the competition map included “meals vendor” tents and raised a crimson flag for me. Meals distributors? Why would we be paying for meals at a “meals competition?” So I began performing some deeper dives searching for info that was not out there on the time of buy. The “meals” facet of this competition for normal admission attendees would merely contain demonstrations on an Eats and Sips stage. This space jogged my memory of the Essence Eats stage, made well-known in that pivotal scene in Women Journey. Cooks would do an interview and an indication however solely a small portion of friends would get samples, like 20 folks or so. Whereas there, this was in the end the case, and the realm for this stage was a lot smaller than anticipated and crammed up quite shortly throughout peak hours.
Right here is the Houston Chronicle article saying the competition again in June. Written by meals editor Greg Morago, the article says the competition would have an emphasis on foods and drinks. The same article from Houston Eater, an area meals web site with a similiar description of the occasion. An interview with Samuelsson on Angela Yee’s radio present every week earlier than the competition, labeling the occasion as a “meals and wine competition.” I might go on and on, however I needed so as to add these examples for individuals who didn’t consider this was marketed as a meals competition.
So there are Meals Distributors? Properly Kinda
Okay so as soon as I heard meals distributors, I ready myself for that. I searched on-line for extra details about the distributors. There was by no means an inventory. Actually, we didn’t know what distributors have been there till we walked on the grounds on Saturday. What I’m saying isn’t shade to those distributors AT ALL, however what was supplied vendor-wise additionally didn’t meet the expectations. Once you inform me that Marcus Samuelsson is concerned and spotlight different James Beard degree cooks, I count on the meals choices to be at that degree. So there wouldn’t be samples, however I might BUY meals from nice cooks? I might rock with that. Not the case. Most ticket holders would solely get entry to issues like burgers and wings. Add to that, there weren’t almost sufficient of those meals distributors so the traces have been extremely lengthy in all places.
VIP and Platinum friends had entry to extra samples nonetheless, there weren’t lots. There have been additionally some add on dinners/lunches that began at about $150+ together with one with Kelis that appeared on the web site weeks earlier than the occasion. My understanding is that this was a further value for all attendees even these with VIP and above tickets. It isn’t unusual to have these kinds of add-ons, for instance the majority of Charleston Wine & Meals are small intimate dinners. Nonetheless, the way you talk these occasions and the pricing have to be performed fastidiously.
I decided to eat earlier than heading there which was one of the best determination ever. I, a meals blogger, went to a FOOD competition and ate nothing. And this leads me to my last sentiment. A meals competition with no meals. How dreadful.
VIP Not Feeling Very VIP
Honeyland had 4 tiers of tickets. GA, GA+, VIP and Platinum. Usually, I’m able to clearly see the distinction, i.e. early entrance or entry to a pleasant tented area. Honeyland, not a lot. I bought GA+ as a result of it supplied the power to chop traces and a devoted lounge area, most of the issues I seemed for in VIP tickets. The minimize the road “categorical go” promise actually didn’t occur. It was speculated to work at bar and meals traces, however that was non-existent. The lounge space for GA+ was creatively described as “shady” which we learn as lined. In actuality, there have been just a few picnic umbrellas on picnic tables scattered about. I’ve by no means seen so many sad folks in a “unique” space in my life.
And my buddies with VIP passes reported an analogous expertise of their space. The VIP space was additionally not lined. I can see with the unique sport plan, however as soon as the climate confirmed rain nobody thought to spend money on extra tents for the parents who paid upwards of $500 for the occasion? Platinum friends have been in a lined space and appeared to have a a lot better expertise. The traces for foods and drinks inside the GA+ and VIP areas have been about the identical as GA. VIP had some demos although, however a lot of buddies felt underwhelmed.
No Sips
Not solely have I attended tons of occasions, however I’ve additionally hosted just a few too. One of many best issues to seek out distributors for? Drink samples. TABC permits small samples at occasions like this. Folks find it irresistible and it’s a simple approach so as to add worth for a ticket together with GA. There have been no drink samples right here together with within the wine space and the Uncle Nearest bar. They have been all paid bars with closely marked up wine. This was an enormous miss by Honeyland when it comes to including worth and serving to friends discover Black wine and spirit manufacturers.
Lighting?
By about 5:30pm-6pm the solar was gone and the fairgrounds have been fully darkish. I seemed round searching for lighting to assist navigate the area and noticed only a few lights. Now, I think about they needed to be aware of the artists on the stage when it got here to lights out within the discipline, nonetheless this raised security issues for me. To be clear, I noticed nobody lurking or appearing creepy! However the alternatives have been there given how darkish the occasion was. I began telling buddies they need to not go to the occasion alone primarily as a result of it was not a properly lit area.
Studio HL
The schedule for an occasion that includes 1000’s of individuals, was launched days earlier than the occasion. Sure DAYS. In that there was slightly blurb about Studio HL noting that you can meet your favourite cooks and meals writers at this space. A pal textual content me and let me know that they have been having a e book signing for Toni Tipton Martin and giving out her new e book without cost. We scurried over there to select up the e book! Now, the safety guard over there was being impolite and tried to dam my blessing! Fortunately, we have been in a position to safe the final of the books making for an excellent memento. Lots of people didn’t learn about this space, so I want Honeyland had highlighted it extra.
Houston Parking Tradition
Houston is the house of the “city sprawl” and as such, I believe that enables us to have higher parking all all through the town. Just lately although many Houston eating places and bars have been charging for parking. Houstonians see this as a cash seize and I get complaints about it pretty usually. I’ve come to count on to pay for parking when I’m in areas like downtown, or EADO, however out within the burbs? The place you possibly can nonetheless see undeveloped land and cows roam freely? Yeah, paying for parking simply doesn’t make sense on the market.
Months after buying tickets we have been informed that parking was not included and we must pay for parking. There was a little bit of trickery there because the tickets talked about a parking shuttle as included, so many thought that included parking. The beginning worth was $35/day and also you would want to shuttle to the competition grounds. For comparability? Sensible Monetary Middle, Sugar Land’s occasion/live performance middle typically fees $15 to park.
There was additionally a VIP parking choice which allowed you parking on the grounds and no shuttling. I lucked up on a VIP parking go, solely to seek out out the day of, the VIP parking was closed on account of mud. *whispers * I noticed no mud. They have been promised a partial refund for a parking go that value greater than $100. We parked on the UH-Sugar Land campus with no points, however shortly observed that nobody was checking parking passes. So there have been loads of individuals who parked with out paying. Actually, if charging for parking is important, simply add that to my ticket worth and don’t inform me! I can even be aware that my shuttle expertise went properly and I hopped proper on the shuttle coming and going.
Location Location Location
Whereas the promoters marketed this as a Houston Meals Competition, it was really situated in our Houston suburb, Sugar Land. To play on the rapper Omeretta’s phrases, that ish isn’t Houston! I used to be baffled by this alternative, partly as a result of this isn’t a suburb that screams “Black” to me (my opinion!). There may be additionally some horrific historical past there with the sugar plantations that give the town its identify. Nonetheless, somebody famous to me that music festivals are tougher to tug off in Harris County/Houston correct due to the Astroworld tragedy. As they need to be! And regardless of my pause, the park used for the occasion was an excellent area. Parking choices might have been higher after all, however the land itself was good.
Convening with Mates
Probably the greatest issues a couple of Black occasion like this in your hometown is that so a lot of your mates will likely be in attendance. We had such a tough time getting round as a result of each few seconds somebody needed to cease and speak to a pal that we ran into. I received to satisfy some blogger buddies in one who I’ve solely chatted with on-line. Different buddies who got here to city that I solely get to attach with at occasions like this. That may all the time be a plus for me.
The Music
Right here is the place Honeyland shines and why I believe this occasion must be branded because it actually is. A music competition! The acts began on time, nice stage setup and the huge screens might be seen all through the competition grounds. The lineup included a few of the greatest stars in Black music out proper now. To me, THIS was a legit displaying of Black tradition. Each visitor of each ticket degree received to really expertise the music. For individuals who are strolling away singing Honeyland’s praises, you’ll discover they give attention to the music which to me is nice. I’m glad they received what they paid for.
Some frequent musical competition attendees inform me that one stage makes it much less interesting as a musical competition although. Many different festivals have acts on three phases for the same worth level. Many people have been unhappy to see Jazmine Sullivan pull out of the occasion, however understood that she is grieving the lack of her mom. Sadly, the competition didn’t talk this properly to attendees and Jazmine needed to make a number of posts on her personal web page to say she wouldn’t be attending.
The Takeaway
That is all primarily based on my notes from attending Saturday. As soon as I noticed the rain in forecast for Sunday, I made a decision to remain house and if this competition returns, I cannot be returning. I give grace for first efforts, however when you may have huge companies pushing the occasion AND I stroll away feeling like I received scammed? My quantity of grace may be very restricted. I broke down on my Instagram concerning the worth I count on at this worth level by evaluating to a couple different occasions. Be happy to take a look at that breakdown on my Honeyland spotlight.
The half that additionally makes me so annoyed is that this was a chance to essentially spotlight the superb Black meals scene in Houston and I believe it missed the mark. Sure, a lot of our native cooks received to be on the principle stage or hosted the personal dinners and lunches, but when the majority of the attendees would not have entry to meals or occasions, what impression does that depart?
