Patchwork

B.B.O.B | Frederick McKinley Jones

Today's episode is about the inventor, entrepreneur, electrician, Army Veteran and innovator that was Frederick McKinley Jones. Known to hold up to 61 patents before his death. His works span the fields of refrigeration, engineering, and audio visual. A true testament that you don't have to always start at the bottom. It is possible to take what you know at the top and work your way back to a stronger foundation. Frederick McKinley Jones, Inventor born - African American Registry (aaregistry.org...

The Return of B.B.O.B

Tomorrow, we kick of Black History Month for the 2024, which means it's time to talk about some of the creatives, innovators and shapeshifters that contributed to some of the foundational work in the food, beverage & hospitality industry. It's going to be a wild ride so strap in!!!

Go Go Gadget.....

Majority of my career, I was expected to put up with nonsense, clean up what had been the normal mediocrity, learn every position, fill in everyone's gaps at the expense of my well being and self respect. This was part of the reason why I knew if I was going to continue to be in this business, I was going to have to give myself the lane to create my own narrative. Its not my space to save everyone else's world at the expense of your own.

BBOB: 5 - Leah Chase

The chef, the activist, the woman, the scholar. Today, we are going to talk about one of my personal heroes, Mrs. Leah Chase. Recommended Reading: All Things Leah related Amazon.com: Leah Chase: Books, Biography, Blog, Audiobooks, Kindle...

BBOB: 4 - Daisy McAfee Bonner

A small bit of insight into FDR's White House Chef. Recommended Reading: The President's Kitchen Cabinet by Adrian Miller The President's Kitchen Cabinet: The Story of the African Americans Who Have Fed Our First Families, from the Washingtons to the Obamas: Miller, Adrian: 9781469632537: Amazon.com: Books

BBOB: 3- Cleora Butler

Today, we are going to talk about a Tulsa, Oklahoma native who fused the journeys she had in life with the food that was created along the way in her memoirs aptly titled, "Cleora's Kitchen." Recommended Reading: Jubilee by Toni-Tipton Martin Jubilee (Recipes from Two Centuries of African American Cooking): Tipton-Martin, Toni: 9781524761738: Amazon.com: Books

BBOB: 2- Zephyr Wright/“Eating with Uncle Sam

Today, we’re gonna discuss someone Texas specific.

Introducing BBOB: 1- James Hemmings/Michael C. Twitty

Happy February you guys!! Welcome to a special segment that we call "Something Borrowed, Something Black, Oftentimes Blue" where we're going to talk about history of black food and how it influences current culture, community and the life and food around us as we know it. Every day I will bring you a person of the past that has shaped someone in the future (including myself) as well as tagging on some recommended art to indulge in afterwards to further your understanding and education. The Cooki...

18.5: Letter From The Editor

We need to address some things this blustery morning.

18: Chi Ndika, Founder of Luv Fats Ice Cream

I am a firm believer in things happening for a particular reason and it just so happens that when I took myself to the Farmer's Market some months back to clear my head and perhaps be inspired, I came across this young lady with some of the best ice cream I have ever had. Lavender Cookies N' Cream to be specific. It was rich, creamy, well balanced, utterly delicious and also dairy free. I made a point to reach out to her to pick her brain and get her on the 'cast for you guys. We talked about he...

17: Reyana Radcliff

Today, I had the pleasure of chopping it up with Reyana, owner of Your Braisen Chef, LLC (@your_braisen_chef). We talked about movement, music, being a mother while still trying to do what you see as a bigger vision of your future and her upcoming Food & Wine Festival appearance. We also talked about the importance of community and her work with local distributors when it comes to expanding the access that black and brown businesses have to more resources. Please find and follow her at IG:@y...

The Self-Care Series: Conversation #1 - Therapy & The Black Experience w/ Chef Blaise

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 yoursel...

16: Nicole Hicks (aka Chef Nikki)

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. You can find her on the socials at: IG:@nikkiskitchenatl Nikki's Kitchen ATL – Private Chef | Catering | Certified Culinarian...

15: Merline "Smily" Muscadine

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 ( w ww.smilyscorner.com) in Orlando, FL, a Le Cordon Bleu Grad and all around dope, black woman. This was a great one ya'll......

14: Kyle Barr

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 IG: Chef Kyle Beezy (@mealsbyky) TikTok: @kid_kimosabe...

13: Jessica Adams

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 Cat...

Patchwork (Trailer)

12: Justin Simeon

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 con...

11: Joana Gracio-Snellenberger

Hey hey!!!! We are back and this was a great one. I got the chance to catch up with my old roommate from Chicago, who later in this journey became a Chef Assistant & Photographer for the company during this crazy Pandemic. We talked about her life as an Immigrant and what that has meant in this version of the free world, her journey through food that led to the various parts of the US, her transition out of this industry to pursue television writing and why its so important to follow your so...

10: Adreanne Ontiveroz

Today, I participated in a Baker's exchange. Adreanne aka "A" brought me some Philly-Style pretzels (from her amazingly talented Mother) in exchange for a Chocolate & Walnut Babka. First off, I must say the pretzels were delicious. Secondly, while she was here, we chatted about her transition from the Beauty Industry into the Food Service Industry, things that she has learned along the way, how she feels about the changes in Austin all the way to elements of Motherhood and also Disney World....

9: Courtney Wysinger

Today, I got the pleasure to catch up with 1/3 of the Concerto (another group project) gang to see how this year has been treating her. We talked about the trials and lessons learned being a small business owner during this time, what she's been doing with her mobile bartending company and her plans for the 2021. Check her out on the socials at FB: https://www.facebook.com/BarMagic7 ; IG: @alittle_barmagic

8: Sakif Khan

I am coming a bit full circle with this interview when it comes to my journey here in the food industry. For those of you that do not know, but probably can tell from a great deal of my commentary, I am only almost 2 years into this Austin game. Today, I got to speak with one of the very first people I worked with here in the industry. He was kind, connected and a pretty good cook with no ego, which is hard to find these days. It has been great to watch him evolve from the outer limits. We chatt...

7: Chanda Briggs

Today, I had the beauty and joy of being able to catch up with a longtime buddy that I met many moons ago during my adventures in the Bay Area (She's still there now - lord, the prices.) We talked about her journey into the hospitality industry, her exodus, her experiences being a black woman in management structures as well as in this country.

6: Stephon Taylor (aka Sean Manhattan)

The recording of this episode was a little different. Since the pandemic has kicked off and life has become uber crazy, this cat has proven to be super supportive, a help on some of my random events and a decent friend. Therefore, we pow wow'd at his place over Tequila, cheese, doritos, bread pudding and additional commentary from his girl Es in the background. That's my disclaimer for the fact that you guys are getting thrown in as a fly on the wall in the middle of a very entertaining convo ab...

5: De’Anthony Colbert (Tony)

Sooooo, its Veterans Day, therefore it is only right that I introduce a fellow Vet to the group. Today, I chatted with Tony (although, he chooses to be a man of few words at times) about all the things he's up to...even during this pandemic, what are his influences and what keeps him going full steam ahead with all his visions while juggling 87 different things at once.

4: Deepa Shridhar

This episode is a bit different because we have not met each other in person so all of you get to witness our virtual introduction. We talked about being female business owners of color (cause in this country, that makes a difference), what living and working through this pandemic has been like and how important it is to have a strong sense of self when you're building the table that was never set for you. She is also the voice behind @siccpalettepod and one half of the (they will rise again) 33...

3: Shadrack "Blaise"

Today, I had the honor to chop it up with Shad. We lightly touched on the election day shenanigans BUT then we jumped into the importance of culture, recognition, black identity, being rooted in who you are, food history and nutrition. We journey through his time on a cruise ship in Hawaii as well as his time in Alaska on a dog training camp, all with cooking along the way as well as the stories we have heard about the term "86".

2: Jasmine Jackson

This episode I got to chop it up with a long time homie of mine. We met while we were both working in Big Sky, Montana at one of the most ridiculous of job atmospheres set against a beautiful backdrop. Being the only two black women in the kitchen space there, and having more of a brain than some of the men we were coming in contact with, it was an easy connection. Today, we're talking about her journey out of the conventional kitchen space into creating medicinal marijuana confections ,why ment...

1: Kimberly Gamble

To begin our journey into this culinary rabbit hole, I chatted with Kim about the things she's been doing, how it all began, why family is such a thread through what she does and what finding your purpose means in the day to day. You can follow her on the socials at.... FB: https://www.facebook.com/DishedByKim IG: https://www.instagram.com/dished_by_kimllc/...