Fred Mitchell to Debut at Taste of Soul Festival
The Willowbrook pitmaster will showcase his barbecue on October 17 at the annual Crenshaw Boulevard event.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Barbecue
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Pitmaster Fred Mitchell is set to make his debut at the 21st annual Taste of Soul Family Festival on October 17. The Willowbrook resident will bring his signature catering style to the Crenshaw Boulevard event.
Why it matters
Mitchell turned his personal passion into a business after his community home gatherings gained popularity. His appearance highlights the growth of a local catering career that has expanded through strategic partnerships and pop-up events.
Mitchell operates his business using a 500-gallon smoker fueled by hickory and mesquite wood. Despite his expertise in smoking meats, he has not personally consumed meat for the past eight years.
The players
Fred Mitchell
He is a Willowbrook-based pitmaster and founder of Light It Up Smoke It Up BBQ Catering & Competition.
90 West Lounge
This is a local establishment that serves as a business partner for Mitchell's catering operations.
Willowbrook Inclusive Network
This community organization collaborates with Mitchell on various local revitalization projects.
The details
Mitchell developed his brand, Light It Up Smoke It Up BBQ Catering & Competition, through community-focused pop-ups and a partnership with the 90 West Lounge. He remains active in local revitalization projects alongside the Willowbrook Inclusive Network.
Timeline
2018: Mitchell stopped eating meat.
2023: Mitchell established his catering business.
October 17, 2026: Mitchell makes his Taste of Soul Family Festival debut.
Culture Shift
Mitchell's rise reflects the broader shift toward community-based pop-up catering models in urban revitalization. His growth tracks the way local culinary entrepreneurs use collaborative networks to scale operations without traditional storefronts.
Attendees at the Taste of Soul Family Festival will be able to sample Mitchell's barbecue for the first time during the event. Residents can follow his future pop-up schedule to see where his catering business will appear next in the community.
The takeaway
Mitchell shows that local culinary careers often grow from informal community gatherings. His path demonstrates that success in the catering industry can rely heavily on building strong, consistent partnerships with local venues.
What happens next
Mitchell will appear at the Taste of Soul Family Festival on October 17, 2026.
Further reading
Discover more about the local scene in the Los Angeles Barbecue section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Los Angeles Sentinel.
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