image via Rachel Gurjar
….Continued from original BIPOC post….
For years, I’ve believed that and honestly it’s a fact, that American food is Immigrant Food. Southern and Soul foods created by Black Americans descanted from their slave ancestors, the burger and hot dog were versions that came from dishes brought from Eastern Europeans, Beer, Ice Cream, Pie, beloved Tacos….almost all the food we eat in this country descends from BIPOC and it’s important that we recognize and celebrate that!! Below are some of the BIPOC I’ve admired for years within the food industry, and so many who are revolutionizing the world of nutrition, plant based lifestyles and honoring their heritage through the power of food…
1. Padma Lakshmi // Taste the Nation
Padma Lakshmi is my goddess! As a longtime Top Chef fan, I have admired her for years mostly because she has made sure she was seen not as a pretty face, but as a force to be reckoned within the food industry, traveling making cultures and their food approachable, especially her Indian roots. And she is an upapoaogethic activist! In her recently released Hulu show “Taste the Nation,” she dives into what it “American” food, and you will quickly understand, if you didn’t already know, that American Food is Immigrant Food. From the first episode it made me cry, well pretty much all of them, especially episode 3 when she highlights her Indian culture. She hits so many points about the unspoken racism and need to fit in, the bullying ex-Attorney faced growing up in NJ, and her mother defying what Indian woman were supposed to do by leaving her country and marriage to come to US to give her and Padma a better life. She perfectly interconnects food, culture and history with today’s racial and societal climate.
Each episode is insightful and you will take away something from them, especially episode 4 about the Gullah Geechee culture which is particularly poignant during this time, highlighting how our climate crisis, issues with gentrification and racial inequalities all directly correlate with one another, as well as episode 7 focusing on Native Americans and the true American Food {this episode was very emotional for me because Native Americans are mostly cast aside and treated as if they’re not Americans, and it baffles me that they don’t have accessible fresh or good quality food at their reservations — food that comes from the ground their ancestors tended to}. You will instantly see that by talking with these amazing individuals, some revolutionaries in their culinary field, that America was birthed through racism, the roots were planted with racism and propelled so much what led to our current country. And food is at the forefront of it all. So yeah, I’ve always admired Padma and now even more so with her exceptional show!! {and yes this is a very lengthy description, way more so than the others on this list, but she is one of the POC I admire most so I had to kick it off with her 🙂 “food is the most primal way to communicate with another person”
2. Tabitha Brown
Tabitha Brown is soo much more than a vegan culinary maven, she is, I don’t even know how to quite describe her essence. Emotional comfort and joy? Think of that special person whose hugs make everything better, well that is Tabitha’s voice and soothing encouraging messages. Whether she is sharing her random craving for a spinach grilled cheese or talking to you on a personal level about getting through a bad day — she has this innate ability to make it feel like she is right next to you, bringing you comfort in every sense possible. Her signature one liners “like so, like that”, “now go about your business”, “even if you can’t have a good one, don’t you dare be messin’ with nobody else’s day”….I could go on and on about how much I love Tabitha and the joy she brings into the world, especially during this time! She technically also belongs in the Inspirational/Motivational Speaker Section but since vegan food is what propelled her career I felt it was fitting to list her amongst these other food greats.
3. Sophia Roe
Sophia Roe is certainly one to admire, to her food, wellness, advocacy and expressing your feelings are interconnected. As a chef, she celebrates the power of food and creates dishes that are “whole” which is how I’d considered my diet. When it comes to life and wellness, she uses her journey and experinces and is an open storyteller to encourage others that they’re not alone. She founded of The Pillow Talk Sessions, a series of intimate conversations honoring curious minds, community, and our relationship with food in a safe and open space. I seriously recommend you watch all her videos on all topics of Black injustices, she is insightful and touches on every topic and point that will offend and will make people uncomfortable, but it’s all the truth and reality of what is wrong with so many of the systems in our country!!
4. Zach and Zoe’s Sweet Bee Farm
All hail Zach and Zoe’s family run Bee Farm!!! We need more amazing families doing their part to save our bees and encourage a more thriving species. Their son Zach was respiratory issues and so they found themselves studying up on the crazy power of honey and thus the decline in bee populations, and if you didn’t know how crucial bees are to our eco-system and life, or just how beneficial honey can be for our health, then get to studying! And so now they’re selling their amazing honey variations, which they happen to make in the farm in NJ {yes NJ!!!}, online and at their location in Chelsea Market. I can’t wait to get my hands on a jar!
5. Rachel Gurjar
Rachel Gurjar is a chef turned writer, food photographer and stylist and is now the test kitchen manager and food editor/photographer at the feedfeed. Her recipes are very approachable and gorgeous to look at, making you hungry before you even gather your ingredients. She certainly inspired to cook more and build memories that explore unique ingredients and cultures.
6. Toni Tipton-Martin // Jubilee Cookbook
Toni Tipton-Martin is revered in the culinary world as a journalist, James Beard Award–winning author and community activist, having worked with Michelle Obama and her programs to raise healthier generations of kids, which led to founding the Southern Foodways Alliance and Foodways Texas. Her cookbook, Jubilee has been at the top of lists since it was released and is a celebration African American cuisine. It’s the one cookbook I’ve been wanting to get and cook from.
7. Benjamina Ebuehi // Carrot & Crumb Blog // The New Way to Cake Cookbook
Benjamina Ebuehi is a baker, food stylist and recipe writer creating modern and minimal uncluttered approach to both her ingredients and styling, which I love! She competed in The Great British Bake Off which catulpulted her career. Her cookbook The New Way to Cake Cookbook take baking cakes to a whole new and beautiful level anyone can take on. She’s also the cofounder of The Sister Table, a popup brunch club for all women across London.
8. It’s Holly
I found myself captivated by It’s Holly black food, as in black colored food mostly from squid ink lol, then simply getting lost in her gorgeous food photography and mouthwatering recipes. Holly is certainly loves food and is a talented chef, having appeared on NBC’s Food Fighters and a Top100 Finalist for Master Chef season 6. I mean the woman carries around sea salt in her wallet, what’s not to love!
9. Kimberly Espinel // The Little Plantation
We first eat with our eyes, it’s true, and why food photography and styling and taken over a whole new approaching to just cooking/baking. Kimberly Espinel left her social work career to start The Little Plantation where she shares gorgeous and delicious plant based dishes, while also teaching other food styling/photography and how to grow a business in that area of the food industry. As a POC she’s an advocate for justice and was one of the organizers for London’s Women’s March in 2017.
10. Bryan Ford // New World Sourdough
Bryan Ford and his artisanal bread baking skills, particularly his bestselling New World Sourdough cookbook seems that have been destined for a time when everyone was home and could finally discover the beauty and peace that is bread baking. I love bread baking, and love watching his videos showing us all how to make beautiful looking and delicious loaves, while helping us keep our sourdough starters alive!
11. Jocelyn Delk Adams // Grand Baby Cakes
Jocelyn Delk Adams is the baker behind Grand Baby Cakes, inspired by her grandmother where she hopes to inspire a new generation of bakers and cooks to cook classic recipes in a modern and accessible way — without feeling guilty about indulging in that dessert 😉 If Jocelyn looks familiar it’s because her book Grandbaby Cakes was a bestseller and she’s appeared multiple times on the Today Show, Food Network, O Magazine and numerous other publications. There’s an effortless and cozy ease to her recipes that I love — not to mention her mouthwatering desserts!
12. My Favorite BIPOC Top Chef Contestants :: Gregory Gourdet // Melissa King // Eric Adjepong
The other BIPOC Top Chef Contestants that are my favorites!!! Gregory Gourdet, Melissa King {the most recent season 17 winner!!} and Eric Adjepong — I love that they’re beyond creative and push the envelope, while incorporating and staying true to their culture!!
13. Carla Hall
I’ve been a big fan of Carla Hall’s since she appeared way back in season 8 of Top Chef. I loved that she showed that you can be both an amazing high-class chef and yet let your fun lighthearted positivity shine, and she never lost that even when she went on to co-host The Chew. I met her once at a small book signing and she was such a darling and lovely woman! She makes soul food fun and accessible for all to experience the food culture.
14. Jovan Bloise // Loc’d Foodie Loaded
I have to give a big shoutout to my college friend Jovan, he recently launched Loc’d Foodie Loaded where he is sharing some mouthwatering and flavor-packed dishes! His recent Monfongo inspired dish, and tacos he made awhile back, are definitely on my list to recreate. He’s sharing his recipe videos on his IG walking you through each step — with hopes one day, soon, he’ll have his own cooking show!
15. Jerrelle Guy // Chocolate for Basil // Black Girl Baking Cookbook
Jerrelle Guy is a food writer, food stylist, food photographer, and recipe developer behind Chocolate for Basil. Her Black Girl Baking Cookbook was nominated for a 2019 James Beard Award and when she’s not creating recipes for her blog, she’s operating her food photography studio EJC Studio and even contributing recipes to the NYTimes. Her approach to recipes is minimal but to use ingredients that will pack an intense flavor!
16. Todd Richards // Soul : A Chef’s Culinary Evolution in 150 Recipes
Todd Richards is an award winning chef known for soul and southern cuisine, who is self-taught and two time James Beard finalist for Southeast Best Chef. His celebrated cookbook Soul : A Chef’s Culinary Evolution in 150 Recipes honors soul food, which is not the same as southern food. Soul food has its own history and unique flavors, and he’s helped bring it to light along with Atlanta’s food and culture scene.
17. Nzingah Oniwosan // Yes Baby I Like it Raw
In case Nzingah Oniwosan’s Yes Baby I Like it Raw site name didn’t give it away, but yes, she is a holistic health consultant and plant-based chef, who helps people tap into an unprocessed, plant-based life. Her site offers valuable information and recipes to help navigate a holistic lifestyle emcopensating all areas of food, fitness, mental health and self-care. Her journey of using food to keep her autoimmune disorder in remission as well as help with challenges that comes with prolactinoma and PCOS is an inspiration for anyone suffering through the same and looking for a more natural way to help and live. Also a founding member of The Food+Wellness Equity Collective.
18. Rachel Ama // Rachel Ama’s Vegan Eats
Rachel Ama is a vegan recipe creator, using her recipes and wellness tips to help others live their best whole life. Her recipes are all mouthwatering, you wouldn’t even think they’re vegan unless reading her descriptions. Her cookbook Rachel Ama’s Vegan Eats focus on plant based recipes for the everyday.
19. Food Heaven
Food Heaven started as a creative outlets for best friends, and registered dietitians, Wendy Lopez & Jessica Jones to build a community through food. Now they use their platform to make wellness and nutritious food inclusive and accessible to all! They’re intentional at sharing resources on intuitive eating, body respect and a healthy at every size approach. Their recipes look so yummy, and very delicious!
20. Marisa Moore
Marisa Moore is a registered dietitian nutritionist who certainly approaches wellness and nutrition from a uniquely clinical background, especially after a full-time job at the CDC. She creates recipes and helps others easily journey through the process of wellness and healthy lifestyle by reminding all that “eating well is not a one-shot, all or nothing thing. It’s a process…” Also a founding member of The Food+Wellness Equity Collective.
21. Maya Fellerrd
Maya Fellerrd is a registered dietitian nutritionist providing medical nutrition therapy managing and encouraging risk reduction for non-communicable diseases. She’s all about providing nutrition education that is unbiased and centered around each individual person, to encourage informed food choices that lead to wellness and longevity.
22. Sweet Potato Soul
Jenné of Sweet Potato Soul‘s life revolves around food that makes her “feel happy, energetic, and nourished” and that is what she’s sharing with everyone. Becoming vegan and plant based improved so much in her life, and her recipes are recreating that diet lifestyle into easy recipes and eating tips that anyone can take up in their lives as well.
23. Chelsea Williams
Chelsea Williams is a plant-based wellness and nutrition advisor working with Popsugar and Samsung Mobile USA. She’s making plant-based approachable and light, showcasing her personal self and journey in the process. Chelsea is also a founding member of The Food+Wellness Equity Collective.
24. Chantel Rodriguez // Choose Love Blog
Chantel Rodriguez’s approach to wellness is non-judgement and of empathy, because she knows that a holistic life and journey of wellness doesn’t happen overnight. Her mission with Choose Love Blog is revolves around helping others to thrive in their health and wealth mindset in the most down to earth way. She offers educational resources, shares recipes and tips, as well as hosting The Wellness Beast podcast, oh and the owner of a color therapy eyewear company ZEN30. Mindset and self-awareness are major passions of Chantel as that’s what she personally practices. Also a founding member of The Food+Wellness Equity Collective.
25. Flourish Heights
Flourish Heights was crreated by Valerie Agyeman, a registered dietician as a way to empower to teach women, especial women of color, to flourish in their wellness and achieve good health through the power of nutrition. She shares tips and recipes, and everything in between for women to understand and strengthen their relationship with what they eat and how their body feels/looks/functions — helping to establish a balance with food and wellness.
26. The Nutrition Tea
The Nutrition Tea was created by registered dietician nutritionist, Shana Spence, as a platform to confront the misconstrued information out there about living a healthy lifestyle by providing on factual information that encourages mindful and intuitive eating, a whole and healthy lifestyle, as well as self awareness.
27. Fit Soul Kitchen
Nancy Odogwu, a health food blogger who’s currently completing her post graduate at the College of Naturopathic Medicine and a trainee nutritional therapist, started Fit Soul Kitchen to make healthy eating and lifestyle tips accessible to everyone. Her goal is to inspire everyone to enjoy cooking and eating wholesome, something I personally follow, and know so many would benefit from but also isn’t the easiest to embrace.I love that she is inspired by and incorporates her African and Caribbean culture into her dishes.
28. Essie Spice
Ohhh I can’t wait to buy me one of Essie Spice’s blends and start cooking!!! My dad was born in Africa and introduced me to just a small hint of African spices and dishes, and I’m obsessed. I know I’ll love one of her spice blends, now which one to choose, wait why choose one when I can choose the essential sauce collection!!
29. McBride Sisters
Yes!! To family and female owned wine companies, but black female-family owned…yes yes yes!! There aren’t many and McBride Sisters are certainly making a name for themselves!
30. BLK and Bold
BLK and Bold is what happens when premium coffee and tea, meets community impact by aligning and sustaining youth programs that enhance workforce development and eradicates youth homelessness. I most definitely have to pick up a bag at Target or Whole Foods my best grocery run!
31. Ivy’s Tea Co.
Drinking tea was a way of life for Shanae Jones growing up in Jamaica to a British mother, and so in 2016 when she created Ivy’s Tea Co. she wanted to change the way people viewed avid tea drinkers and welcomed all personalities, and not those burning safe and rolling up a yoga mat haha..Each tea blend is full-leaf, organic and handcrafted to create some truly unique teas, as well as honeys and tea drinking accessories. I love that each tea blend has a story and she properly gives each one a description of each tea’s purpose and all the troubles it can soothe. Her Blow Tea sounds absolutely enticing!
And these lists won’t end here, as I learn about more BIPOC I will continuously be updating these lists with as many inspiring talents as possible, so stay tuned!!
Don’t forget to check out these other inspiring BIPOC too!
Writers || Poets || Speakers || Publications+Books || NonProfits
Interiors || Home Decor + Design
Artists || Photographers || Creators
Wedding/Event Professionals || Floral Designers
Environmentalists || Sustainability || Planters/Gardeners
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