Special Feature
Get ready to be inspired to grab your apron and cook! The Celebrate the Family Expo on September 13, 2025 will once again welcome Alabama chefs and food bloggers to take the stage and share cooking tips, tricks, and delicious samples on the ALFA Farmers Celebrity Chef Stage hosted by Janice Rogers of WBRC-TV. With eight different chefs and food bloggers sharing some of their favorite tried and true recipes, you will not want to miss one minute! Here is a sneak peek at the exciting lineup.
Schedule for the ALFA Farmers Celebrity Chef Stage
Annie McDaniel of Miss Annie’s Home + Kitchen will take the ALFA Farmers Celebrity Chef Stage at 10 a.m. McDaniel has been known as “Miss Annie” for more than 20 years to local elementary school kids, where she dresses in costume and encourages a love of science. She stumbled upon a new career online where she teaches her followers simple and easy recipes that cater to busy working families. Alongside her husband Darryl, they have been documenting the renovation journey of their century-old home in Alabama. Visit www.birminghamchristian.com/issues to read her faith story.
At 10:30 a.m., the ALFA Farmers Celebrity Chef Stage will welcome Sue Garrett of Mama Sue’s Southern Kitchen. With over one million followers across all of her social media platforms, Mama Sue (Garrett) is quickly becoming everyone’s “Southern Grandma.” She has captured hearts and kitchens with her warm, down-to-earth charm, and of course, her Southern accent. Known for her genuine love of cooking and the Lord, Mama Sue has authored four wonderful cookbooks that offer a treasure trove of Southern recipes passed down through generations. Her cooking videos often include heartfelt Bible verses that offer comfort and inspiration to her followers. These reflections are a testament to her faith and her desire to spread love and faith through her platform. At 72 years young, she is not only a celebrated cook but also a breast cancer survivor, inspiring countless individuals with her resilience and positivity. Married to her high school sweetheart, her life story is a testament to love, faith, and strength. Mama Sue will share more of her inspiring story in our upcoming September issue.
Katrina Adams is a celebrated food blogger, television personality, cookbook author, and Birmingham Christian Family (BCF) contributor who will be on the ALFA Farmers Celebrity Chef Stage at 11 a.m. Adams is known for her irresistible recipes, warm spirit, and signature culinary creativity. As the founder of KMarieKitchen.com, she has built a trusted platform where home cooks find flavorful inspiration, family traditions, and a fresh perspective on everyday meals. Her culinary journey began in her family’s kitchen, watching her mother master the art of cooking with love, intention, and soul. Inspired by those early memories, Adams carries that legacy forward, infusing every dish she creates with heart and heritage. She shares her love for cooking through engaging classes hosted in libraries across Jefferson and Shelby counties, where she encourages home cooks of all ages to experiment, taste, and enjoy the process. Her award-winning Cookie Butter Pie and Lemon Pound Cake have become Birmingham favorites, available at local Piggly Wiggly grocery stores and The Mercantile by Miller. In recognition of her culinary talent and dedication to home cooking, Katrina was recently welcomed into the Taste of Home Community as a Creative Cook, joining a national network of trusted kitchen voices. Adams lives by the motto: “A recipe isn’t a contract — so don’t be afraid to create your own.” This philosophy invites home cooks to explore their creativity, trust their instincts, and make every dish uniquely theirs. From blog to book, pantry to plate- Adams continues to stir up joy, one delicious bite at a time. See her latest BCF recipe here.
Debbie Alice Goldsmith is a mother, wife, entrepreneur, and co-owner of The Lil Bougie Foodie who will be on the ALFA Farmers Celebrity Chef Stage at 11:30 a.m. Goldsmith encountered a life-threatening illness in 2020 when she was diagnosed with a brain tumor and was given two years to live by local physicians. However, she was determined that this was not God’s plan for her life, and she sought medical help outside her resident state. She was able to find a brain surgeon in NY who performed the surgery on the partial resection of the brain tumor that prevented her from consuming meals and beverages. The surgeons successfully removed a portion of the tumor which gave her hope of living once again. She struggled through her recovery, returned home and opened her mobile food truck business with her husband- The Lil Bougie Foodie- in 2020. After launching her business in July, she never stopped believing in her success and remained steadfast to ensure the business would become successful. She uses her story to encourage her customers. She gives them hope through the strength and determination she exhibited during the most difficult period in her life. The Lil Bougie Foodie is known for its delicious menu items including burgers, wings, tacos, and more! Be sure to stop by the The Lil Bougie Foodie food truck during the Expo to try it for yourself!
At 12 p.m., author, social media sensation, and BCF contributor Danna Standridge will be on the ALFA Farmers Celebrity Chef Stage. Standridge is a Southern spark with a storyteller’s soul and a rolling pin in her hand. Whether she’s showing how to whip up biscuits or visiting with her 144,000+ Facebook followers (she calls them her FB family), or checking on the cows on Standridge Farm, Standridge blends warmth, wit, and creativity like a perfect Sunday supper. She’s the cookbook author Time to Eat, Y’all and Happiness is Homemade, Y’all, a culinary teacher with heart, and a hostess of heritage- where every dish tells a story, and every story comes with a smile. Equal parts charm and know-how, she makes you feel like family before the cornbread’s even done. Visit www.birminghamchristian.com/issues to read her faith story. We are also privileged to have her share a great story and recipe every month in the “Home Front” section of Birmingham Christian Family magazine. Click here for her latest.
Catch Hero Doughnuts Chef and Founder Wil Drake on the stage at 12:30 p.m. Drake studied nutrition at Birmingham’s Samford University and has worked as a barista, baker and cake decorator, hustled in a busy BBQ restaurant, flipped burgers, hosted pop-up dinners and spent time in Ireland studying the art of whole animal butchery. He started Hero Doughnuts as a pop-up shop selling his brioche style doughnuts at farmers markets and record stores before partnering with Pihakis Restaurant Group in 2017. The brand has grown from doughnuts to full breakfast plates, lunch specialties, coffee, shakes, and other treats served at eight locations in three states.
John Finney is a husband, father, chef, and owner of Henrietta’s Deli who will be on the ALFA Farmers Celebrity Chef Stage at 1 p.m. After many twists and turns, Finney made the decision to go to culinary school and was immediately immersed in school, recipes, books, and anything food-oriented. In his first year of school, he received the opportunity to stage at one of Frank Stitt’s restaurants. In 2015, Finney graduated with an associate’s degree in applied sciences. While working at Highlands, Finney was part of the staff that won the James Beard for Most Outstanding Restaurant in the United States. Six months after winning the award, he was asked to be the Chef de Cuisine of Chez FonFon. With everything he has learned during his culinary career, he felt it was time to venture out on his own. This dream became a reality when he opened Henrietta’s Deli in Trussville in January. The restaurant makes everything possible in-house, from deli meats, mayos, and everything in between. Finney’s goal is to make the best sandwiches with the best ingredients.
Chef Rose Ousley will take the ALFA Farmers Celebrity Chef Stage at 1:30 p.m. Chef Rose has been in the culinary arts field for almost 50 years and enjoys preparing wonderful meals, decorating cakes, and preparing delicious desserts. Cooking is her passion, and food is her love language! Chef Rose often appears on Talk of Alabama on ABC 33/40 as their guest chef. She is also one of the chefs at The Tower Prayer Church in Leeds and hosts bake sales throughout the year for the Leeds Jane Culbreth Library. One of her desires is to feed the whole world!
Click here to read about even more fun that’s in store for Expo attendees! For more details about the 6th Annual Celebrate the Family Expo, visit www.birminghamchristian.com/expo. Special thanks to our Major Sponsors Children’s of Alabama and Jimmie Hale Mission, Celebrity Chef Stage Sponsor ALFA Farmers, and Event Sponsors including Alabama Credit Union, Family Radio, LeafFilter Gutter Protection, and Vulcan Termite & Pest Control. †
