Food influencer Keith Lee is gearing up for his inaugural Familee Day festival on May 16, set to take place in the vibrant city of New Orleans. The event promises to celebrate local cuisine while spotlighting small businesses within the area. With more than 17 million followers on TikTok and 2.7 million on Instagram, Lee’s influence in the culinary world is substantial, and this festival marks an exciting evolution in his journey.
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Speaking exclusively to PEOPLE while attending the 2026 Webby Awards on May 11, Lee revealed he is immersed in final preparations for the festival. Despite the numerous tasks demanding his attention, he made time to share details about the event. Lee indicated that coordinating everything has been no small feat, remarking, “It’s the most exciting thing, but also the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my entire life.”
This much-anticipated festival follows his FamiLee Food Tour, which saw Lee travelling extensively across the United States and beyond, sampling and reviewing local eateries. The festival is being described as a “natural progression” from that venture, which also aimed to support small businesses while engaging with his dedicated fanbase.
The festival is not purely dedicated to food; it will also feature an array of live performances, with star-studded acts including Mannie Fresh, Kirk Franklin, and Big Freedia. Lee recently confirmed plans for a live Bluefin tuna tasting, featuring fish sourced directly from Portland, Oregon, adding a unique culinary experience to the festival’s offerings.
Lee’s commitment to supporting local and minority-owned businesses shines through his approach to the event. In a significant move, he announced that vendor fees for local restaurants and businesses in New Orleans would be waived, allowing them to participate without financial burden. This initiative underscores Lee’s ethos of prioritising community involvement, a principle he has championed throughout his career.
Reflecting on his growing profile, Lee shared insights about his family-centered approach to his work. “I don’t like the focus to always be on me,” he said, adding that family is at the heart of everything he does. The festival’s name itself is a nod to the emphasis he places on family and community. “The way we make decisions is always looking to how my family can be at the forefront,” he explained.
In a candid moment during the awards ceremony, Lee spoke about balancing his burgeoning career with family life, especially as the upcoming festival has consumed much of his time. He highlighted a recent Mother’s Day spent with his wife, Ronni, and mother-in-law, illustrating the importance he places on family. “Time is super valuable. So to be able to take a step back and just laugh and play with each other, I think that’s the most important,” he said.
Lee’s relationship with his wife has been a cornerstone of his success. He credits her as a crucial support system while he navigated the transition from his previous career as an MMA fighter to becoming a social media sensation. “We operate on a ‘Whatever you need, I’ve got it’ basis,” he stated, emphasising their teamwork in managing familial responsibilities.
The excitement surrounding Keith Lee’s Familee Day food festival represents not just a chance for gastronomic exploration, but a celebration of community and collaboration. As the date draws near, anticipation builds among his followers and local residents alike, eager to see how Lee’s vision will unfold. The festival aims not just to showcase food, but to honour the spirit of New Orleans while uplifting the small businesses that embody its essence.
In conclusion, Keith Lee is poised to write a new chapter in his journey with Familee Day, demonstrating that success can be rooted in community engagement and support for local entrepreneurs. As the festival approaches, the anticipation of what he will accomplish serves as a testament to his dedication and influence within the food scene.