Patchwork

Every now and then, we need to break up talking about the regular woes and successes within the food game. For this month, I wanted to connect with people that have always had great things to say but are the greatest to banter with about everything in life under the sun. For this particular episode, I linked up with Chef Blaise (one of our admins on The Melanated Culinarian) to discuss what it means to exist on this plane, manuever in the skin you're in and learn how and why caring about yourself first is necessary. 

This time I had the opportunity to chop it up with a fabulous and focused lady that is working currently in the Southern Black Mecca that is Atlanta. We talked about her beginnings, the ins and outs of being an entrepreneur, the importance of marketing, business boundaries and taking what you have learned from other things along the way to get you where you are going.

IG:@nikkiskitchenatl

We are closing out not only March but the first quarter and I don't think there could have been a better ending/beginning to it all. I had the absolute pleasure of chatting with this young lady who is Haitian Born, but Brookyln Raised. I seem to always connect with the ones that have a tie to the East the most and this was no different. She is the owner of Smily's Corner (www.smilyscorner.com) in Orlando, FL, a Le Cordon Bleu Grad and all around dope, black woman. This was a great one ya'll....enjoy!! 

Find her on the socials at:

IG: @smilyscorner

To say this young man's energy is the definition of effervescent is an understatement. This was easily one of the most entertaining interviews I have by far. Fueled by a "just happy to be here" enthusiasm, we talked about his time traveling through the theme park world of kitchens, his travels to other countries and what he's doing now as a budding entrepreneur. 

You can find him on the socials at:

FB: Chef Kyle B

This time I had the pleasure of talking to a distant newbie. I say that cause I didn't know her before this but felt like I have always known her during this. We talked about her random journey into this culinary wold, finding ways to navigate the space between ultra versatile and misused as well as her love of sushi and the creation of. This felt like talking to an old friend and I'm sure you guys will feel like you've always known her as well. You can find her on the socials at:

FB:Jess’s Catering, LLC | Facebook

Its been a minute but we're back with a vengence!! 

Today, I had the pleasure of linking up with a fellow culinarian that I came across and virtually "met" by way of the intranets. Technology is funny these days and sometimes, it brings you great things in small packages. I reached out to get him to tell his AMAZING story that involves working in Bermuda, his journey driving to culinary school that resulted in him hitting a bear and the importance of family, foundation and finding yourself to continue to do what you love and what you're meant for when you don't believe it yourself anymore. This one pulled at me in such a different way. 

I'm not going to lie....this is a long one, but worth it and he will definitely be back again.

Please introduce yourself to him by way of www.simmieskitchen.com as well as IG: @jsimmie. And if you're in the L.A. area, book him and go eat for me!

Well, its time to take a break but I wouldn't be a decent human who coerced others to talk if I didn't share a few deeper tidbits of my own journey. So, if you're not tired of hearing me talk as it is, here's the one and only. You can find me at...