Culinary Creatives Chat
lessons in refinement and resilience from Chef Renee Blackman
EatOkra is a platform that connects customers with black-owned eateries. I was drawn to the app because of their focus on food, culture, and community — the exact intersection of themes I cover with my food storytelling. I am incredibly excited to share that I was recently asked to write a feature on Chef Renee Blackman for EatOkra’s blog The Roux as part of the Culinary Creatives Chat series. Here is a little preview of the feature.
Whether you know her as a private chef in the Hamptons or as the fan favorite on the Netflix series Pressure Cooker, you know this: Renee Blackman is bold in the kitchen.
Hailing from the Caribbean, she injects island flair into her cooking. But don’t attempt to file her food under one type of cuisine. It’s important to Blackman that you understand the full picture: she is a traveler, she seeks adventure. Notes of playfulness and whimsy are woven into her dishes, reflecting a lighthearted personality beneath her serious facade. Ultimately, Blackman leans on her intuition and taste in order to translate who she is onto the plate.
Take, for example, her latest creation, which attendees will get to sample at EatOkra’s inaugural Culinary Creative Conference on October 13. Blackman lays curry couscous atop a bed of yogurt. She then mixes in fresh cucumber, golden raisins, red onion, cilantro, and toasted almonds. On top goes a beautiful piece of salmon flavored with a little bit of jerk seasoning and gochujang. It’s a surprising combination, but it all goes remarkably well together.
And while her creations exemplify the technique of a classically trained chef, Blackman has charted her own path. With no formal culinary school training, her trajectory has been marked by self-taught, on-the-line experience. Blackman’s inspiring career can teach us all a thing or two about refinement and resilience…
To read more about Renee’s unconventional culinary journey and unique style, check out the full article on The Roux.
EatOkra’s inaugural Culinary Creative Conference is taking place on October 13. This groundbreaking event is dedicated to spotlighting Black-owned businesses in the food and beverage industry. Designed to empower Black food entrepreneurs, 3C offers a unique blend of learning, networking, and growth opportunities.
Tickets are still available for the event and I’m delighted to share a special promo code with my subscribers. Use code BFL25 to receive at 25% discount on all levels of tickets, available here.
BFL’s Guide to Black-Owned Restaurants
In the spirit of celebrating Black culinary excellence, here is a guide to some of my favorite black-owned bars/cafes/restaurants across the city. As always, I’ve included a map with detailed notes at the end of the guide for paid subscribers.
Aunts et Uncles 📍 1407 Nostrand Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11226
Located in Flatbush in an area known as Little Carribean, Aunts et Uncles is a lifestyle shop and plant-based café founded by husband-and-wife team, Mike and Nicole Nicholas. This cultural beacon pays homage to their Caribbean heritage while also being deeply rooted in the community.
🦞 Don’t miss: Their “lobster” roll, which was featured in NYT’s 57 Sandwiches That Define New York City.
BierWax 📍 556 Vanderbilt Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238
What could be more Brooklyn than a record bar with craft beer? BierWax is a low key and inviting neighborhood bar in Prospect Heights boasting an extensive, finely-curated tap list and a vast collection of over 5000 vinyl records. Whether you’re a music lover or a beer aficionado or just a fan of friendship and beautiful backyards, you’ll love this quintessential BK bar ✨
🍺 Don’t miss: DJs spinning live most evenings
Cocina Consuelo 📍 130 Hamilton Pl, New York, NY 10031
After running a Mexican supper club out of their apartment for the last four years, husband and wife duo Lalo and Karina Rodriguez have finally opened their restaurant in Hamilton Heights. The small, cozy space feels like an extension of their living room and their warm hospitality will make you feel right at home. However, don’t expect classic home cooking from the small but standout menu — Karina combines family recipes with seasonal ingredients, plated beautifully, to create dishes that would hold their own in any fine-dining restaurant.
Learn more about Karina’s story in my article Cocina Consuelo: how a pandemic-era bid for survival turned into a thriving culinary venture.
🌮 Don’t miss: Bone marrow birria tacos
Dept. of Culture 📍 327 Nostrand Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11216
This tiny restaurant in Bed-Stuy sports a single communal table and a few bar seats, so prepare to make a friend or two. Guests are treated to a four-course tasting menu consisting of a seasonal rotation of Nigerian dishes. Get up close and personal with James Beard Award-nominated chef Ayo Balogun as he adds color to each dish with childhood anecdotes.
Read about the significance of this meal for me in my article A seat at the table: how eating Nigerian food with strangers healed me.
🧀 Don’t miss: The tasting menu is set, but don’t forget to BYOB!
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