It is sad in 2017 that I must use the adjective “Black” to define a group of talented Louisiana Culinarians. Over the past few years, I observed countless black culinarians that I have not been featured on local levels in New Orleans and beyond, all the way up to recognition by the James Beard with youth on their side. I respect the contributions of the Chase's and Seaton’s families but there are much more. There has been a program such as Invisible Chefs talking about the

In 2017, I have a lot to be thankful. I earned a NASA Early Career Achievement Award, I was featured on an entire episode of Cooking Channel Man Fire Food, and I was the Distinguished Lecturer at Delaware State University, all of which are humbling accomplishments when I think about where I am from in South Carolina. The opportunity to meet some amazing new people like Pierre Thiam, Serigne Mbaye, Clint Boulder, Nat Bradford, Francis Morean, Aduke Edwards, Hardette Harris, E