Local chef showcasing her food at Pacers game

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- One local culinary artist is getting the chance to showcase her food in Indianapolis!

It's a part of a program put on by the Indiana Pacers known as the impactful guest chef program, where chefs get an opportunity to show off their cooking skills for fans at the game.

In this South Bend church, one local chef and entrepreneur is cooking up something delicious for her big night in Indianapolis next week.

In the basement of Epworth Memorial Church, LaQuisha Jackson is preparing something large, or maybe medium rare.

Jackson, who has owned Soulful Kitchen for nearly a decade, says this all came about thanks to networking skills.

"I was in a leadership program in Indianapolis and I met Mel Raines, who is the CEO of the Pacers, and she's from South Bend Indiana, and of course, we talked, networked, chatted, and she was like are you interested in being a part of our guest chef program," said Jackson.

In addition to networking, Jackson was able to improve her business abilities and learn new things about operating a business thanks to the university of Notre Dame.

"I joined the Notre Dame boot camp in 2021, and it was just a wealth of knowledge. I learned how to leverage, I learned about spreadsheets, I already had a business plan but it was just continuous growth, and after that, you get a mentor which was amazing, but my main love from the McKenna Center is the Notre Dame boot camp hub, where the Notre Dame students come in and help you with your business," said Jackson.

Jackson was kind enough to give a sneak peek of what will be offered at the Pacers game next Wednesday.

Roast beef sliders, black bean burgers, sweet potato fries, and macaroni and cheese bites.

The Pacers tell me "chefs like chef Jackson help showcase the flavors that make Indiana special.”

The game on Wednesday will be against the Los Angeles Lakers, who feature star player LeBron James.

Jackson says she wants LeBron to try what she's cooking up, because she knows he won't be disappointed.

"I think he would hire me to be a private chef, I think he would say this food is so good, I need your business card. That's what I think he would say," said Jackson.

Wednesday is the first of five games that Jackson will be showcasing her delicious eats for the Pacers crowd.