For centuries, little Black girls around the world have spent time watching and learning from their mothers and grandmothers in the kitchen. Many develop the skill early in life that grows with them as they too become adults.

That was the case for Chef Whitney Thomas.

The Reidsville, North Carolina native attributes her love for cooking to her grandmother, who she affectionately calls “Muh.”

“My family setting is where I really developed my passion for cooking,” Chef Whitney told Travel Noire. “We were the stereotypical Black family with the large Sunday dinners. At 3 years old I was in the kitchen mimicking my grandma.”

However, life would take a different turn before Chef Whitney could really dive back into her love for the kitchen.

She went on to attend The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she majored in African American studies and Exercise Sports Science. By the end of her Junior year, she realized this wasn’t what she wanted to do, so she left school.

“The kitchen had always called me. My mom thought I was crazy to give up my full ride to college, but that wouldn’t help me do what I wanted to do.”

Whitney began working in small eateries around her college town. At one point she was even delivering pizzas.

After getting into a bad accident, she made her way back to Reidsville, which also allowed her to help care for her grandmother who was suffering from Alzheimer’s.

After some time, Chef Whitney picked up a job at a local soul food spot. From there she moved up the ladder of several chains, but her goal was always to get into fine dining.

“I’m not classically trained, I didn’t go to culinary school at all. I just had some really great chefs that took time with me and taught me things. I also used my environment to learn more and just soaked up everything,” she said.

Related: How These Young Black Men Overcame The Odds To Become Two Of Charlotte’s Top Black Chefs

After bouncing around some more, she made her way to Charlotte, NC. She instantly knew this was where she wanted to be.

“The food scene here is really great and it was growing. It had more to offer than where I was in Winston Salem.”

She again worked her way up the ranks in a few fine dining restaurants around the city before making her way to 5Church Charlotte. In less than a year, she was named Executive Chef, an accomplishment that isn’t common for Black women.

“Less than 10% of executive chefs are women. And even fewer are Black women. It’s very humbling. I feel like I have so much to prove. Not only that I can do it, but we can do it. But I want people to see, just give us a chance.”

“I once had a manager tell me he didn’t like hiring women because we’re run by emotions. But women have been in the kitchen since we were small.”

Chef Whitney doesn’t let any of this stop her.

“I just keep working and show what I’m capable of.”

In this role as Executive Chef, Chef Whitney oversees all things in the kitchen. From menu creation to managing the kitchen staff and budget, as well as planning special events. She’s really doing it all.

As she continues to take 5Church Charlotte to the next level, she has her eyes set on her own restaurant one day in the future. And best believe, once she does, you’ll want to be in the building.

To catch more from Chef Whitney, check her out on Instagram: @chefwhitneythomas.

If you happen to live in Atlanta or Charlotte, then you know we never get the good deals. Well fam, our time has come.

There is a major sale going on to Europe and The South is finally getting some love. You can fly from Charlotte, NC or Atlanta to Paris for as low as $292.

For those traveling from Atlanta, the deal is via American Airlines. For those in Charlotte, your deal is via Delta. It appears that both deals are valid for travel from September into March of 2020.

To find either deal, start by searching Google Flights for the dates you need. Pro tip: When using Google Flights always be sure to hit the ‘reset’ button when starting a search. This clears any previous searches that the matrix may be trying to populate.

Once you do that, you may need to physically click on random dates to get the deal to populate. If it still won’t pull for you, then head to the respective airline’s website to find.

For the Delta deal, it is for Tuesday and Wednesday departures only, with a minimum 7 day stay.

Related: How To Spend A Day In Black-Owned Paris

This is a great deal for those who have been looking to do a Euro tour. Once you are in Europe, it is very easy to travel between countries and cites. The transportation systems are very cheap and efficient.

Both deals are part of the basic economy class. This means that there will be a few rules under this ticket, that don’t come under a normal international flight. You are limited to a carry-on and personal item. This honestly, shouldn’t be too big of an issue for the experienced travelers.

Pro tip: Invest in a spacious duffle bag or suitcase that can fit in the overhead bins, ASAP.

Seeing that this deal is rare, you can guarantee that it won’t be around long. Don’t be that person that missed out.

As the unofficial start of summer, Memorial Day Weekend often serves as a preview of what to expect this upcoming summer season.

Related Post: Five Great Road Trips For Memorial Day

From day parties, cultural events, concerts, festivals, and more, here’s how you can take full advantage of the three-day weekend across the country.

African American Heritage Statewide Festival – Newark, New Jersey

Now in its 52nd year,  the African American Heritage Festival is four-day festival dedicated to celebrating African American culture and freedom.

This year’s event will take place from May 24 through May 27.  A fireworks show will take place on May 25 and the official parade will kick off on May 26 at 1:00 p.m.

A full event schedule can be found here.

Related Post: 5 Destinations for A Low-Key Memorial Day Celebration

Aruba Soul Beach Festival

If you’re in Aruba for Memorial Day Weekend, be sure to head to the 19^th Annual Soul Beach Music Festival.

The star-studded lineup includes John Legend, Charlie Wilson, Ella Mai, and H.E.R.

Atlanta Caribbean Carnival

And if you’re not in Aruba this Memorial Day Weekend, no worries.   Atlanta is hosting its own Caribbean Carnival Festival on May 25 and May 26. 

The two-day event will be held in Central Park.

Bronzeville Echoes: Faces and Places of Chicago’s African American Music – Chicago, Illinois

Explore Chicago’s music legacy through ragtime, jazz, and blues through this exhibition on display at the Chicago Cultural Center, which highlights the contributions of important places and people that shaped the music scene.

Carefree Black Girl Cookout -Charlotte, North Carolina

CareFree Black Girl, LLC is a lifestyle brand that focuses on women empowerment, entrepreneurship and the arts.

This weekend, the organization is hosting a cookout that will feature performances, wellness activities, a glam bar, hair products, and more.

Cultural Traffic Arts Fair – Detroit, Michigan

Cultural Traffic Arts Fair is a global platform, hosting artists, independent and experimental publishers together. Here is where culture and creativity meet!

The fair will include live events, readings, screenings, music and artist-led performances on May 27 at the El Club.

Get your tickets here.

DanceAfrica – Brooklyn, New York

This year’s DanceAfrica performances will offer spectators a taste of the rich culture and traditions of Rwanda in acknowledgement of the 25th anniversary of the genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.

Performances are happening all weekend-long at the Brooklyn Academy of Music.

DC Black Pride – Washington, DC

Despite being known for the parties, there are events happening all-week long in the nation’s capital for DC Black Pride.

This year’s event features a transgendered reception, a Unity Ball, and workshops. Pride Praise Fest is slated for May 26 at the Renaissance Washington DC Downtown at 9 a.m.

Houston’s Afro Beat Expo

This annual 4-day Afro-Caribbean weekend experience is about sharing and preserving the rich mix of deep cultures within our community through music, dance, poetry, arts, and food.

Memorial Weekend Honoring Black Palm Springs – Castic, California

Honor Black people this weekend during the Val Verde Park Annual Memorial Weekend Fest and Camping Events.

Val Verde served as a safe haven for Black people during the 1930s when they were barred from public recreational spaces in LA.

You can spend the day by bringing a tent or camping for the whole weekend.  There will be live music, poetry, art, yoga, grilling and more.

Orlando Urban Film Festival

The 6th Annual Orlando Urban Film Festival will take place Friday, May 24 and Saturday, May 2. 

Orlando’s Black Film Festival, OBFF, was created to expose Florida’s underserved African American film and music producers, and a diverse culture of content creators.

San Francisco Brian Copeland’s “Not a Genuine Black Man” Returns to The Marsh

The longest running solo show in San Francisco theater history, titled “Not A Genuine Black Man” by award-winning actor and playwright Brian Copeland is returning to the Bay Area.

This funny, honest, and harrowing piece recounts the struggles Copeland faced growing up in what was declared one of the most racist suburbs in America.

There are a few show time options to choose from.

Sunday Brunch & Day Party – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Beautifully Black PHL & Day Dream Philly is teaming up with Chef Milly for a Sunday Brunch and Day Party at the Golf and Social. 

Urban Beach Week Miami

Miami’s Urban Beach Week is one of the largest Urban Festivals in the world, according to organizers. More than 300,000 people make the annual trek to South Beach for a weekend full of fun, food, festivities, entertainment, music and more.

Durags have been culturally relevant for as long as I can remember. You can choose to rock one with the cape out or for a more polished appeal, you can opt for the no cape durag. Either way, Black people have been rocking the hair accessory for years to ensure that their waves stay on swim and their edges stay laid.

In 2018, three creatives in Charlotte, North Carolina teamed up to put together a festival to celebrate all that is durag culture and then some.

Lica Mishelle, Dammit Wesley, and DJ Fannie Mae are the faces behind this one-of-a-kind event. As an art curator, Wesley wanted to put together an exhibition for Juneteenth and highlight durags in the process. He reached out to Lica Mishelle, after seeing a creative project she did go viral, in hopes that they could bring their creative minds together.

They came together, with DJ Fannie Mae overseeing all things music, to create Durag Fest. We had a chance to speak to them about what’s in store for this year’s event and their vision for Durag Fest in the years to come.

TN: How was Durag Fest born?

Lica: Durag Fest was born out of a necessity to own our narrative in a way that uplifts the community economically, and honestly Black Twitter. #DuragHistoryWeek was one of the few memes on Twitter that couldn’t be appropriated for other cultures to use. It was just so black. Plus, wave culture was on the rise with college durag days and the like. There was already a durag culture on the internet. We just applied it to create an experience.

TN: What is the vision for this event?

Lica: We envision it as the rebranding of Juneteenth. Not to diminish the holiday or its historical significance, but to build upon it. Every successful American Holiday has three things: a visual identifier, traditions/activities, and businesses built around the holiday. We want Juneteenth to benefit from the same capitalism that other holidays benefit from. We want black bars and restaurants to see an increase in white patrons. We want to see African & African-American apparel being bought in higher numbers for Juneteenth events, not just Durag Fest. Durag Festival is a vehicle for change. To integrating a stimulated economy into a holiday that needs the attention it deserves.

TN: How did people react to the first installment of the event?

Lica: We’d never seen attendees so engaged in our lives. It was obvious that this was one of the few opportunities for our culture to be unapologetically Black and proud of it. We all have a background in events, nightlife or entertainment. Usually you can see people’s level of investment in their body language. Durag Fest was the opposite of what we experienced in clubs and concerts. People were 100% invested in the experience. The guests at Durag Festival were just as much a part of the art as the paintings were. We could see the time people put into their outfits, designing their Durags, doing their hair. Everyone was a walking masterpiece. When we finally wrapped at 11pm many of our guests volunteered to stay and clean up. We didn’t ask, they literally started cleaning because the sense of community and ownership was that strong. We knew at that moment we had tapped into a sincere black experience.

TN: What can we expect to see this year?

Lica: It’s not about what you’re seeing. It’s about what you’re experiencing. Durag Festival is about the creativity of the people and that’s something we don’t have control over. We are the Met Gala of Durags and we’re excited to see what surprises are in store.

Related: Charlotte’s Best Black-Owned Restaurants And Food Trucks

TN: Where can we find out more or get tickets?

Lica: Our website at duragfestival.com. Follow us @duragfest on Instagram. We randomly throw discount codes in our followers DMs.

Calvin Wright Jr. and Oscar Johnson are quickly rising to the top of the cooking scene around Charlotte, North Carolina. Wright, a native of New York and Johnson of Hampton, Virginia, currently work together at Loft and Cellar—one of Charlotte’s premier Black-owned establishments.

Calvin has a unique story. He started off in franchise restaurants to pick up experience, then made his way to a few other restaurants. He found out he had a brain tumor and needed brain surgery. He was supposed to ease back into the profession but was forced into a 50-hour work week immediately following his surgery by his boss. Then came a review, which determined raises. Calvin received a $.13 raise, while his white counterpart got a $3 bump. This discouraged him and led him to quit cooking in restaurants all together for 2 years. He focused on private cooking before getting back into restaurants.

Oscar got into cooking through a program offered to young, aspiring chefs around the Hampton Roads area in his junior year of high school. It gave him lots of exposure to other chefs already in the industry and allowed him to see if cooking was something he really wanted to pursue. He went on to attend Johnson and Wales University for more formal training. Although he showed lots of promise, many people told him that he wouldn’t make it and finish the program. However, he proved them wrong.

Fast forward to today. The two men were handpicked by Greg Collier, also a Black chef in Charlotte, to come under his wing and start a movement of cooking some of the best, culturally relevant dishes around.

Related: Meet The Couple Taking The Charlotte Food Scene By Storm

“I ate at his restaurant in South Carolina with one of my friends and we spent a lot of money,” Johnson tells Travel Noire. “I reached out to him after and told him that I came. He made a joke about us having him and his team busting their behinds in the kitchen. He told me he was opening a restaurant in Charlotte. I wasn’t happy in my situation at the time and I really wanted to work with him. It was the opportunity of a lifetime. I was willing to take a pay cut because I knew it was a movement we were about to begin.”

While they can cook up almost any genre of food, Johnson and Wright want to focus on more culturally relevant dishes. Thanks to Collier, the chefs are also learning the history behind each of the dishes they cook. They are putting a lot of their focus on dishes coming from various regions rooted in Black culture such as Africa, the Caribbean, and the Deep South.

“Black people have been making dope food for years. We fed America. I want to continue to play on that,” Wright said.

You can catch this rising duo at Loft and Cellar. They are both hosting a series a pop-up events this summer that are sure to be a hit.

To learn more about these two men, you can catch them on social media @chef_oscar_j and @cheflife_to_the_nextlife

In another episode of crazy airline news, we bring you a story of a drunk passenger urinating on another passenger’s luggage.

American Airlines flight 1344 was traveling from Chicago to Charlotte Douglas International Airport last Thursday when authorities say a passenger urinated on a woman’s luggage.

Authorities were called and asked to meet the plane at the gate to arrest the drunk passenger. Airline officials said that “due to an intoxicated passenger, American Airlines requested law enforcement meet flight 1344 once it arrived in Charlotte at 12:52 a.m. on Thursday.”

Cheryl Watkins is the owner of Charlotte’s only black-owned bed and breakfast. Ms. Elsie’s Caribbean Bed and Breakfast opened for business in the year 2000 and has been running strong since. Watkins named the B&B after her later grandmother, Ms. Elsie.

Photo courtesy of Ms. Elsie’s Caribbean B&B

Cheryl has roots in Aruba, and it is brought out in the décor of the home as well as the authentic Caribbean breakfast she makes for her guests. As a chef and part-time caterer, Watkins goes above and beyond when creating the 3-course gourmet meal each morning.

While her food creations are impressive on their own, the story behind the bed and breakfast is even better.

Photo courtesy of DeAnna Taylor

Related: How To Spend A Day In Black-Owned Charlotte

Travel Noire had the chance to visit the home and sit down with Cheryl to learn more about the story behind the business.

“It started with a dream. In the dream, I saw my grandmother standing on the veranda of a beautiful white house overlooking the ocean. In the dream I was crying because I had just learned that she had Alzheimer’s. She told me to stop crying and instead to celebrate her life because there was so much to be thankful for.

This dream unfolded from the time I was a child until I was an adult, and each time we were having breakfast. Breakfast is the one thing my grandmother and I always did together. I knew that whatever I ended up doing I wanted it to be culturally indicative, to be in real estate, and to be near water. I had that dream on March 2, 2000, and the next day I found this house.”

Watkins took a friend’s suggestion, who came across the house that would later become Ms. Elsie’s. Although hesitant to make an offer, Watkins instead decided to call her grandmother, who was now in the late stages of Alzheimer’s.

Photo courtesy of Ms. Elsie’s Caribbean B&B

“My grandmother’s home care aide said it was her first time sitting down in almost two days and she didn’t think she would be up for talking to me. I insisted that she put her on the phone anyway. Our conversation went as follows:

Cheryl: Hey, sexy.

Grandmother: Hey!

Cheryl: I think I want to open a bed and breakfast.

Grandmother: I think that’s a wonderful idea. People from all over the world will come.

Cheryl: Why did you say that?

Grandmother: I’m just telling you what I know.

Cheryl:  I think I want to name it after you.

Grandmother: Why would you do that? People will wonder what kind of crazy name is that.

Cheryl: That’s fine, I’ll just tell them it’s named after Ms. Cheryl’s crazy grandmother.

Cheryl: She went silent for about 10 minutes. Finally, I asked what you thinkin’ granny?

Grandmother: With God’s peace, you have my blessing. Trust God for all things. I believe you are going to do well.”

Photo courtesy of DeAnna Taylor

After talking for a little longer, Watkins was able to tell her grandmother she loved her before she was unable to recall the conversation they just had. Even until her death, her grandmother had no memory of the conversation where she gave Cheryl her blessing to open the business.

Charlotte, North Carolina is a rapidly growing city that is changing every day. It’s no surprise that black business owners are regularly opening up shop in the “Queen City.”

If you have plans to visit Charlotte or if you just relocated,  here’s how you can spend a day supporting the black-owned businesses around town.

Wake up with a cup of coffee from Coppa Coffee and Tea

There are three locations in Charlotte for you to try. Owner Jeff Tuning offers unique blends and roast profiles. You can find flavors like banana, blueberry, and even black cherry that are infused during the roasting process. The best part, there are no added sugars.

Photo courtesy of Coppa Coffee and Tea

Enjoy a nice breakfast at The Yolk

Make your way uptown to have breakfast at The Yolk. Greg and Subrina Collier are a husband and wife duo making their mark in the foodservice industry in Charlotte. The pair recently moved their award-winning restaurant from Rock Hill to the 7th Street Market in Charlotte.

Photo courtesy of The Yolk

Related: Meet The Couple Taking The Charlotte Food Scene By Storm

Check in to your room at Ms. Elsie’s Caribbean B&B

Whether you are on vacation or taking a staycation, Ms. Elsie’s is perfect. This cute bed and breakfast is located just east of Charlotte’s city center. Owner Cheryl Watkins opened this accommodation in honor of her late grandmother, Ms. Elsie. It has been featured with Essence and even named as “Best B&B in the South” by Southern Living Magazine.

Photo courtesy of Ms. Elsie’s Caribbean B&B

Get pampered at Elevation Beauty and Nail Spa

This luxury nail spa is a newcomer to Charlotte, but you will need to make an appointment to get in. What sets this spa apart from the others is that they offer vegan nail polishes, no UV lamps are used, and the pedicure chairs were custom made. Clients are treated to complimentary beverages during their service as well.

AlphaMale nail care is available to pamper the men

This male-only salon provides an atmosphere for any man who wants to take care of his nails while relaxing in a comfortable environment. The salon’s décor mimics a man-cave, while owner Sheena makes sure your hands and feet are looking good.

Photo courtesy of AlphaMale Nail Care

Get your grub on at Veltree, the Vegan Experience

This vegan soul food take-out spot recently opened in September. Partners Vel and “Tree” have been given the stamp of approval several times by Erykah Badu. The menu offers soul food classics like fried “chick’n” and macaroni n’ cheese, in addition to smoothies and juices.

Veltree, the Vegan Experience| Facebook

Grab drinks at Loft and Cellar

This restaurant and bar is located right in the center of all the action. You can catch panoramic views of the city from the upstairs loft while sipping on curated cocktails and craft beer selections until 2 am. Live musicians or an in-house DJ will provide the tunes for the night. They also offer a full menu, so, if you work up an appetite, you can order food as well.

Photo courtesy of Loft and Cellar

Vibe out at Dupp and Swat

This venue is a safe space, clothing boutique, art gallery and music hall all in one. It is located in Charlotte’s Camp North End which is also home to breweries and other eateries. On any given day you can find creatives coming together for jam sessions and other art-centered events. It is truly an all around feel-good kind of place.

Dupp and Swat| Facebook

If you need other black-owned food suggestions in Charlotte, check out our list here.

On December 11, Greg and Subrina Collier held their latest installment of ‘Soul Food Sessions’ in uptown Charlotte at the black-owned restaurant Loft and Cellar. This installment was appropriately themed “Soul Sistahs Edition.”

The Colliers, along with four other black chefs (Michael Bowling, Jamie Turner, Jamie Barnes, and Gregory Williams), began the charity dinner event in 2016 as a way for black chefs to show off their talents. They wanted to show that black chefs cook more than fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, and collard greens. In 2018, Soul Food Sessions teamed up with Coke Consolidated to take the event on the road and also give out scholarships to deserving minority culinary students. They have done events in Charleston, D.C., Charlotte, and Baltimore.

Related: Meet The Couple Taking The Charlotte Food Scene By Storm

The Soul Sistahs Edition was created to highlight black female chefs and mixologists from around the area, and they did not disappoint. Each of the eight chefs (and two mixologists) had to come up with a muse or inspiration for their dish. The women were told to pick black female icons and they had to explain to the audience why that woman was their inspiration and how they led them to create their dish. The women chose figures such as Maya Angelou, Oprah, and even Erykah Badu. Each icon truly represented the creativity behind their respective dish.

The evening started with a short cocktail hour that allowed guests to mix and mingle. During this time, appetizers were passed around. Every 15 minutes, a new course was introduced until all eight chefs had presented. There was even a break for three signature cocktails from the featured mixologists.

Overall, the event was amazing and well thought out. It was a night of laughs, finger snaps, and true inspiration.

You can catch Soul Food Sessions in 2019.

Greg and Subrina Collier, the couple taking the Charlotte food scene by storm, didn’t meet in the Queen City. They met in Memphis, Tennessee, where Subrina was waiting tables and Greg was a cook at a local wing spot.

Subrina has been working in the foodservice industry since the age of 15. Greg attended culinary school in Arizona, where he learned the “what’s and why’s” of food.

We spoke with them about all of their amazing business ventures and their latest recognition in Charlotteans of the Year.

Photo courtesy of The Colliers

Travel Noire: When did you all open The Yolk? Describe this restaurant for us?

The Colliers: We opened The Yolk in the spring of 2012. The Yolk is an award-winning contemporary breakfast and brunch restaurant. We offer everything in the breakfast arena, from bacon and eggs to vegan grain bowls to chicken and waffles. Our theme is “a love affair with breakfast” because it perfectly describes our relationship as husband and wife along with our love for what we do.

Photo courtesy of Greg Collier

TN: How did you get the position with Loft and Cellar? What is your vision as executive chef?

Greg: I got the Loft and Cellar position after meeting the owner, Jerry Mercer, in passing a few times at events and at the restaurant. A friend of ours and one of the Soul Food Sessions mixologists, Justin Hazelton, was a bartender there at the time. He expressed that they needed a chef and I told him that I would be glad to be a consulting chef to them. I love to help other businesses in any way that I can when it comes to my food knowledge. I love to express my creativity in food whenever I can.

At Loft and Cellar, I am able to play with the concept of “elevated bar food.” It’s still fun and casual, but always thoughtful. I aim to always stay thoughtful in any style of food that I make.

Photo courtesy of Greg Collier

Related: Charlotte’s Best Black-Owned Restaurants And Food Trucks

TN: Tell us about Soul Food Sessions.

The Colliers: Soul Food Sessions was created and founded by myself and 4 other minority chefs (Michael Bowling, Jamie Turner, Jamie Barnes, and Gregory Williams) in 2016 in Charlotte to display the talents of the often overlooked black chefs and give back to the community as a charity dinner. It started as a group of chefs who wanted to cook together as friends while showing off their chops in the kitchen beyond stereotypical “soul food.” We gave it that name almost to be sarcastic in a way. Most people see a black chef and assumes all they’re going to make is your standard style of collards, mac n’ cheese, chicken, etc. But if it’s a white chef cooking, he is not obligated to a particular type of food at all. He can make anything from “southern food,” which is really “soul food,” to Italian dishes or even Asian dishes.

During SFS, we pull from not only our homegrown roots here in America, but we also draw inspiration from Africa, the Islands, and other parts of the world. Not only are the chefs black men and women, the mixologists are too. We wanted to bring awareness to that and the lack of diversity of minorities in kitchen leadership positions. We teamed up with Coke Consolidated in 2018 and went on a tour to spread our message and give out scholarships in each city (DC, Baltimore, Charlotte, and Charleston) to deserving minority culinary students. We are hoping to continue the movement with Coke Consolidated in 2019 also.

Photo courtesy of Greg Collier

TN: How did it feel to be recognized as “Charlotteans of the Year?”

The Colliers: It feels amazing to be recognized at all, but to be Charlotteans of the Year is truly humbling. We have really given our life to what we do and it feels good that a platform like Charlotte Magazine says “hey, we see you and you’re doing great. Keep it up.” It just keeps us motivated when there are days that you wonder why you chose that path.

Photo courtesy of The Yolk

TN: What are your future plans?

The Colliers: We will be moving The Yolk to Uptown Charlotte in early January 2019. We would love to have a location in South Carolina in the future. But we made the best move for us and moved to Charlotte. We are from Tennessee so we will expand The Yolk there in the near future as well. Our new Charlotte location is Uptown Yolk in the 7^th Street Market in Uptown at 224 E. 7^th Street.

In this location, we will also be offering a chef residency program. We know how hard it is to want to branch out on your own, but not have the capital to do so. So we will have a program at The Uptown Yolk location that allows chefs to sign a 60 to 90 day lease to use our location and equipment to assist in birthing and testing out their own concepts. Since we are breakfast and brunch focused, we are usually closed by 3pm daily. This way another chef can come in by 4pm and run his restaurant until 9pm. We want this space to be an incubator for up-and-coming talent and this is a great way to introduce them.

Photo courtesy of The Yolk

TN: Where can we find you on social media?

The Colliers: We are The Yolk Café on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Cathay Dawkins, founder of Black Business Owners of Charlotte, and his team are busy preparing for the next installment of Charlotte Black Restaurant Week.

The week-long event kicked off Sunday, October 14 with a reveal party announcing all participating restaurants, vendors, and businesses. Dawkins revealed that the event is about more than just featuring black-owned restaurants throughout the city. The week will also feature signature events that will bring in other black vendors so that more black businesses can gain exposure.

Related: Charlotte’s Best Black-Owned Restaurants And Food Trucks. 

“The goal of Charlotte Black Restaurant Week is to keep the doors open in black restaurants and to make sure they swing open. From last year until now over 10 black restaurants have closed their doors and that bothers us, ” Dawkins stated to Travel Noire.

“My other goal is to ensure that Black businesses are being patronized. I want it not to be an issue that Black people are supporting other Black people. When we hear of Jews supporting Jews, it’s seen as wise or smart. Yet, when people hear of Blacks supporting Blacks its seen as segregation.”

“This week is open to everyone of any race. We are simply showcasing Black culture. I believe that when you educate people about your culture, they respect it. But, we are not going to back down from the fact that its Black.”

Related: Black-Owned Airbnb Experiences You Can Book Today.

There will be over 20 participating restaurants that will offer menus with prices at $5 – $20. The signature events include Black Food Truck Friday, a weekly event in the city, expected to bring over 10,000 people during this week. This event will be held in the streets of Uptown Charlotte near the Gantt Center. Also on Friday, there will be a Black Chef competition, a special VIP event that evening on the roof of the Gantt center, as well as a foodie session from 2 pm- 6 pm.

Dawkins plans to make this an annual event in addition to hosting other Black-owned businesses events throughout the year. With Charlotte gearing up to host the CIAA basketball tournament and NBA All-Star Weekend in February, Dawkins said “We are definitely planning to do some official events with the CIAA and the NBA. They are still in talks, but we will be doing events during that time.”

Charlotte, North Carolina (also known as “the Queen City”) is more than just the nation’s banking capitol. This thriving city is home to major sports teams, the host city for the CIAA basketball tournament, and host of the 2019 NBA All-Star weekend.

Planning to make your way to Charlotte? Check out these black-owned food trucks and restaurants while you’re in town:

Uptown Yolk 

This breakfast and brunch spot is owned by husband and wife duo, Greg and Subrina Collier. The Tennessee natives bring their own spin to the Charlotte breakfast scene. The pecan waffle with chicken wings will change your life.

Photo courtesy of Uptown Yolk| Facebook

Seafood Connection

Georgia native, Jamie Walker, created a name for himself when he created a secret spice that blew people away. Deemed “Charlotte’s best seafood” you will find something for every taste bud. All seafood is imported from Savannah, Georgia which is some of the freshest seafood in the southeast.

Photo courtesy of Seafood Connection

Scratch Kitchen CLT 

This food truck brings a creative spin on some of our favorite comfort foods. With dishes like the “Mac attack” and “salmon BLT” your taste buds will be singing your praises.

Photo courtesy of Scratch Kitchen CLT| Facebook

Mr. Charles Chicken and Fish 

There are two locations of this popular fried chicken and fish spot. What makes it even better, kids eat free on Tuesdays. In addition to the food, there’s a full service bar.

Photo courtesy of Mr. Charles Chicken and Fish| Facebook

STATS Restaurant and Bar

Owner Louis Von Rippon, Jr. sums his restaurant up in 3 words: Sports. Food. Entertainment. You can expect daily events Monday thru Sunday, including celebrity hosted nights. When asked what the most popular item is, Rippon stated ” Lobster mac and cheese.” (pictured)

Photo courtesy of Stats Charlotte

Cuzzos Cuisine

This restaurant and gourmet food truck specializes in southern cuisines. Owned by first-cousins Andarrio and Anglee, their motto is “Where everyone’s family.” They ensure that when you visit you will always receive the best customer service and the most delicious Southern cuisine. (Pictured: Tenders and Red Velvet Waffle.)

Photo courtesy of Cuzzos Cuisine

Ace of Spuds Food Truck

This family owned food truck is a new comer to the scene, but quickly gaining popularity. These unique, gourmet potatoes are cooked to order on the truck. Ace of Spuds is all about quality, presentation, and freshness.

Photo courtesy of Ace of Spuds

What The Fries Food Truck

Owners Jamie Barnes and Greg Williams met in culinary school back in 2004. They partnered together to open their food truck in 2015. What the Fries specializes in creative loaded French fries and they pride themselves in making over half of the menu items in house.  According to co-owner Jamie, the most sought after dish is the steak and shrimp hibachi fries. (pictured)

Photo courtesy of What The Fries

Sun Burger Vegan Cuisine

This weekend vegan popup specializes in a Caribbean and African fusion called Ital. They are 100% vegan and 100% soy free. While they offer a full menu, their core product is vegan burgers. You can find them at 1911 Central Avenue on Saturdays from 9am to 1 pm and Sundays from 11am to 2pm. (Pictured: Bbq-jerk oyster mushroom)

Photo courtesy of Sun Burger Vegan Cuisine

Popbar Charlotte

This create-your-own gelato, yogurt, or sorbetto popsicle shop is a popular place in Charlotte’s NoDa neighborhood. Select from several toppings and drizzles to make your pop just the way you like it.

Photo courtesy of Popbar Charlotte| Facebook

Cheesecake Carousel Food Truck

Owned by husband and wife duo, Vanessa and Kenny Jones from South Carolina. This award winning food truck offers homemade authentic New York cheesecake by the slice or even in a mini option. From flavors such as banana pudding, red velvet, and chocolate caramel turtle they are sure to have something to satisfy your sweet tooth. (Pictured: chocolate caramel turtle cheesecake)

Photo courtesy of Cheesecake Carousel

Unicorn Gourmet Shaved Ice

According to owner Candace Holiday ” Unicorn Gourmet Shaved Ice can best be described as a uniquely delicious dessert destination. Although we sell traditional flavors, many gourmet items include fruit toppings, cream and even cheesecake. We are more than just shaved ice!!”

Photo courtesy of Unicorn Gourmet Shaved Ice

Charlotte may not receive as much attention for its dining scene as U.S. cities like Houston, New York and Washington, DC, which boast top-notch restaurants owned by celebrity chefs. But the Queen City, as residents affectionately call Charlotte, has some culinary gems worthy of their own spotlight. These new restaurants are slowly helping make Charlotte an exciting food city.

Fahrenheit – Charlotte
222 South Caldwell Street, Charlotte, NC
[Website]

Floor 21. After 11 successful years with Fahrenheit – Cleveland, restaurateur Rocco Whalen (@Rock1chef) chose to install his second location on the top floor of a 21-story, mixed-use building in uptown Charlotte. You may have seen Chef Rocco, a Wolfgang Puck protégé, when he appeared on The Food Network’s (@FoodNetwork) TV Show Fat Chef.

Whalen’s 8,600-square-foot space opens up to an astonishing roof area where contemporary fire pits draw diners out to enjoy the wrap-around patio. Allow yourself plenty of time before (or after) dinner to enjoy the panoramic city view.

Above photos credited to Fahrenheit Charlotte

The exciting atmosphere is not the only aspect to delight. The food, described as contemporary American with Mediterranean and Asian accents, is good. I mean really, good!

Noteworthy Noms: Chorizo Stuffed Dates, wrapped in bacon, served with tomato aioli; Grilled & Glazed Wild Caught Salmon, served with wasabi mashed potatoes.

littleSpoon Eatery
2820 Selwyn Ave, Suite 180, Charlotte, NC
[Website]

littleSpoon is a standout restaurant concept. The eatery focuses only on the most essential meals of the day: breakfast, lunch, and – America’s favorite – brunch. Today’s soundtrack is Biggie Smalls, as in: “Born sinner, the opposite of a winner / Remember when I used to eat sardines for dinner.”

Distinctly different without trying too hard, littleSpoon manages to keep things exciting by offering a continually changing menu that highlights locally grown ingredients.

Noteworthy Noms: The ChickenBiscuit and Hapa custom-crafted cocktail.

  Above photos credited to littleSpoon Eatery