Cocoa Butter And Melba's Restaurant In Harlem Feature 'Food Swaps' Inspired Soul Food Recipe

The award-winning BBQ ribs will be on the menu at Melba's Restaurant in Harlem for a limited time.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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In honor of Women's History Month, Cocoa Butter, BuzzFeed's Black culture and entertainment brand, is teaming up with the iconic restaurant Melba's in Harlem to feature the 'Food Swaps' inspired BBQ ribs recipe for a limited time. The Soul Food Food Swaps winner, Ariana Onabanjo, wowed guest judge Chef Melba Wilson with her BBQ ribs, and a dish inspired by her recipe will be on Melba's menu from March 13-15. Melba's will also dedicate a portion of proceeds from the featured dish to support feeding underserved youth in NYC public schools.

Why it matters

This collaboration highlights the vibrant food culture in Harlem, showcasing the creativity and talent of Black chefs and home cooks. It also supports Melba's ongoing community initiatives to feed underserved youth, demonstrating the restaurant's commitment to social responsibility.

The details

Cocoa Butter's popular 'Food Swaps' video series features contestants going head-to-head in the kitchen, swapping their recipes and cooking each other's most loved dishes. The winner of the Soul Food Food Swaps challenge, Ariana Onabanjo, impressed guest judge Chef Melba Wilson with her BBQ ribs recipe. Now, a dish inspired by Onabanjo's winning recipe will be featured on the menu at Melba's Restaurant in Harlem for a limited time from March 13-15.

  • The 'Food Swaps' inspired BBQ ribs will be on the menu at Melba's Restaurant in Harlem from March 13-15, 2026.

The players

Cocoa Butter

BuzzFeed's Black culture and entertainment brand.

Melba's Restaurant

An iconic restaurant in Harlem, New York.

Ariana Onabanjo

The winner of Cocoa Butter's 'Food Swaps' Soul Food challenge, whose BBQ ribs recipe inspired the featured dish at Melba's.

Chef Melba Wilson

The owner and chef of Melba's Restaurant, who was a guest judge on Cocoa Butter's 'Food Swaps' challenge.

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What’s next

Melba's Restaurant will be hosting a special event featuring the 'Food Swaps' inspired BBQ ribs from March 13-15, 2026.

The takeaway

This collaboration between Cocoa Butter and Melba's Restaurant showcases the vibrant food culture in Harlem and supports the local community through Melba's initiatives to feed underserved youth. It's an opportunity for customers to try a winning recipe from Cocoa Butter's popular 'Food Swaps' series.