Dine Diaspora sat down with Chef Kwame Onwuachi for an intimate discussion at our Dish & Sip event about his new memoir, Notes From a Young Black Chef. Onwuachi, Executive Chef at Washington, DC's Kith and Kin restaurant and owner of the Philly Wing Fry franchise, spoke candidly about his life and journey to becoming a chef and entrepreneur. Leaving little off the table, the event touched on diversity and inclusion in the culinary world as well as his personal failures and triumphs.
Now 29 years old, Onwuachi's accolades include being named a 30 Under 30 honoree byForbes, one of Food and Wine’s Best New Chefs of 2019 and the 2019 James Beard Foundation’s Rising Star Chef of the Year. The praise has come with some setbacks and some unfavorable criticism, Onwuachi has remained determined to make a difference in the food industry. If there is any bounce back story that we all can learn from, it’s Onwuachi's. As he said to attendees “woven into the lines of the book [are] various perspectives of my life...it’s relatable to people of all races…there’s something to learn from my failures and successes.”
Here are key 5 takeaways from Onwuachi to keep you encouraged and fueled in your own pursuits:
Work Hard
“Everyone has their own path...your life experiences influences decisions but working hard is the common thread throughout the book.”
Pick your Business Partner(s) and Investor(s) Wisely
“A good partner is someone who has your best interest at heart. It's like a marriage.”
Don’t be Complacent
“Honing your craft is important...education was instrumental to my success...keep learning and growing and don’t be complacent.”
Share your Truth
“It’s important to tell my truth...life isn’t always a beautiful curve and it’s important to tell the whole story.”
Speak Up
On how to increase diversity in the food industry:
“I think awareness ...more stories like mine...the more we speak about it, the more people will be likely to change.”
