There's been a discussion happening in the food world over the last few years, but if you're not in the industry, you might not be in on the conversation: In an era of high-profile celebrity chefs, why aren't there more prominent black chefs? In searching for the answer to that question, we came across four up-and-coming Dallas chefs who are poised to do big things in the North Texas food scene.
The Southern Belle: Gabrielle McBay
Dallas native Gabrielle McBay has been working for herself for more than 10 years — an impressive career considering that she’s only 26. The teen-preneur turned chef has been winning over souls and stomachs ever since. If she’s not catering for big-name corporate clients, she’s feeding celebs like Drake and his entourage. McBay is currently scouting locations for her first restaurant.
Follow McBay on Instagram: @gabriellemcbay
Chopped winner Kenneth Temple is a New Orleans native but recently made the move to Dallas.
Courtesy Amber Lorraine
Hailing from the Crescent City, Chopped champion Kenneth Temple made the move from New Orleans to Dallas a little over a month ago, and he brought his Southern charm (and recipes) along for the ride. From cooking demos to the crawfish turkey burger he dished out a recent pop-up, he’s luring curious customers one bite at a time.
Follow Temple on Instagram: @kennethtemple_
With chef Amber Williams, fine dining, home cooking and Creole cuisine come together.
Courtesy Jaren Collins
The best way to describe the cooking style of chef Amber Williams, owner of Le Rouge Cuisine Food Company, is fine dining meets home cooking meets Creole — and her Louisiana roots are to thank. From winning the Best Overall Bite award at DFW Black Restaurant Week (with arguably the city’s best shrimp and grits) to creating meal prep tutorials, Williams has a lot on her plate, but you can be sure every dish is crafted with love.
Follow Williams on Instagram: @lerougecuisine
The Chubby Chef: Tavon Burrow
By no means are we dissing chef Tavon Burrow; Chubby Chef is the name of his company. Burrow, a Baltimore native who has graced several kitchens from Marquee Grill to Blind Butcher to Wheelhouse, branched out on his own and plans to launch a food truck in the near future. In meantime, he’s developing a line of spices, as well as a line of clothes catered to chefs.
Follow Burrow on Instagram: @cheftavonburrow
