Black Chefs Are the Spice This Economy Needs W/ Rashad Armstead

According to Weeze

In this episode Rashad and I talk about how systemic racism once again shows up in the food industry. From restaurant profits being cut by greedy food distributors, to not being approved for funding, and even having to face a lack of kitchen rental opportunities, Rashad tells us about the trials he’s faced as a Black chef and his determination to empower Black chefs. An economy is only as strong as its food industry, and with Black people owning little to none in this industry, Rashad seeks to change that. Tune in to learn how he’s making waves for Black chefs, so we can gain power in the Black economy.

ABOUT RASHAD

Rashad Armstead is a chef, entrepreneur, just an overall world changer. His goal in life is to leave this world empty, giving everything God put in him to the world. Rashad has worked in the food industry since he was 15 and worked his way up from a dishwasher to a Chef. He opened his first business in 2014 and never looked back. Now he has a new job to help people that change the world change the world.

IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT

• Rashad’s grandma and how she lit the torch for generations of chefs in his family.
• Rashad’s experience with seeing food from different aspects; restaurants, food trucks, caterers, industrial side, hospitals, prisons, and more!
• How systemic racism shows up in the food industry.
• Rebuilding a chef business from scratch to winning Chopped and keeping it under wraps for 18 months.
• Why there’s not a strong economy for the Black community. What we’re missing out on!
• The entrepreneurial journey of opening and closing multiple restaurants, due to racism in distributor policies and land ownership.
• One of the biggest ways to fight hunger is that there has to be investment in local entrepreneurs, and people that represent their community.
• Rashad’s vision to build EPIC Ventures Test Kitchen, an affordable commercial kitchen located in East Oakland.

CALL TO ACTION

• Join me on podia where you can get access to tons of BTS content including a very special Weezionaire interview with all of our guests!
• Rate & review the show!
• Follow me on IG

• Research land theft and the displacement of Black farmers, specifically in the south and California.
• Look up the history of what existed before Central Park was built.
• Donate to E.P.I.C Ventures Test Kitchen
• Watch all the worlds of stage video

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT

• https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_H6HJ81JG31TjwALjWctMQKxvvRYMU02/view?usp=sharing

FOLLOW WEEZE TO STAY ENGAGED

Website: https://www.accordingtoweeze.com

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The Academy (it’s like Patreon): https://www.accordingtoweeze.com/the-academy

FOLLOW RASHAD

Website: https://www.blackfoodcollective.com

Instagram: https://www.twitter.com/ChefRashad2.0

Twitter: https://twitter.com/eoakcollective