FoodLab Detroit

This is an industry that was built on a shaky foundation, and the global pandemic put a spotlight on every single crack. But through these cracks, real leadership emerged. Leadership that prioritizes the safety and needs of employees over the whims of customers. Leadership that centers local communities, providing groceries and hot meals for those in need. Leadership that still turns out exceptional cooking that manages to comfort and delight even when the odds are stacked against them. This year's Best New Chefs exemplifies this approach to leadership.
Congratulations to 2020 FoodLab Detroit fellow, and chef/founder of , , for being inducted into the 33rd class of Best New Chefs! We love you and we’re so proud of you! ❤️
“There are few things that frustrate Kim more than the expectation that the food she cooks should be "cheap." Those same expectations are not placed on the Italian restaurant two blocks away that charges $22 for five pieces of ravioli in butter sauce, she points out: "People don't bat an eye at that." She believes that Asian food is undervalued in general, even though just as much thought, care, and labor goes into making it. Factor in the fact that Kim buys exclusively from local farmers, and pays her staff fairly, and offers benefits and safety nets like health insurance, scholarships, and massage credits, and the price of her food (entrees range from $14–$24 per dish) feels correct.” -

Congratulations to FoodLab member, .
"In a year that was filled with great breads, gorgeous pastries, and cakes, pastry chef Warda Bouguettaya’s immaculate bakes were always a treat. At Warda Patisserie, Bougettaya brings her experiences from growing up and traveling abroad into the kitchen to create the sweet and savory pastries that are as much a feast for the eyes as they are exquisite to eat." - , Eater Detroit.
Congratulations Warda on .patisserie being named Bakery of the year! We love you, and we're so proud of you! ♥️ @ Warda Pâtisserie

A Fine Line explores why less than 7% of head chefs and restaurant owners are women hearing candid insights from world renowned chefs. A personal story unfolds of a small town restaurateur on a mission to do what she loves while raising two kids and the odds stacked mightily against her.

Experience the award-winning film, A Fine Line, while honoring Kiki Louya and Rohani Foulkes, owners of Folk and The Farmer's Hand and recognizing Detroit's amazing culinary talent. In partnership with FoodLab Detroit, who will receive a portion of the proceeds, and featuring an introductory keynote by Devita Davison.

Starting with a mouth-watering Appetizer & Wine Reception celebrating local top chefs & restaurants 6 pm. Featured Chefs: Kiki Louya, Rohani Foulkes, Sarah Welch, April Anderson, Lisa Ludwinski, Genevieve Vang, Jessica Hicks, Amanda Saab, Ederique Gouda, and many more to be announced!

The Screening of the award-winning documentary A Fine Line, with the filmmaker Joanna James in attendance 7:15 pm.

Post-Screening Panel hearing insights from Restaurateurs, Chefs, and Food Activists about the state of the hospitality industry and what we can do to make more diverse, inclusive environments with women at the helm 8:15pm

"A Fine Line" explores why less than 7% of head chefs and restaurant owners are women.

Join us on November 13th. Experience the award-winning film, A Fine Line, while recognizing some of the women in Detroit's amazing culinary community.

We're going to start the evening with a mouth-watering appetizer & wine Reception brought to by Detroit's Finest Featured Chefs: Kiki Louya, Rohani Foulkes, Sarah Welch, April Anderson, Lisa Ludwinski, Jessica Hicks, Amanda Saab, Ederique Gouda, and many more to be announced!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-fine-line-film-food-female-heroes-in-detroit-tickets-74826639493?aff=eand

In 1987, the husband and wife team of Jeffrey and Cassandra Thomas opened Sweet Potato Sensations on the city's west side, and thirty-two years later this family business is still all about sweet potatoes.

With the next generation (Jeffrey and Cassandra and daughters Espy and Jennifer taking the lead), Sweet Potato Sensations is planning for the future, increasing revenue and improving operations at this multigenerational Detroit institution.

For the first time, Detroit’s entrepreneurial community will have an opportunity to vote for their favorite "TechTown On Tap" Award nominee to receive a People’s Choice Award. Please vote for Founding FoodLab member, Sweet Potato Sensations!!!

Click on the link below. Voting will run from Sept. 26–Oct. 8, and individuals can vote once a day.

https://techtowndetroit.org/2019-peoples-choice-award/

The Tapestry Project Action Lab (powered by Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO) is a new collaborative initiative by ProsperUS Detroit and FoodLab Detroit. Together, FoodLab has partnered with ProsperUs to create a year long fellowship where we aim to address the whole of the entrepreneur, by providing four things: business education, mentorship, wellness circles; and early stage seed capital.

Meet one of our cohort members, Lea Addington, founder of LIT Vegan Kitchen Lea says, "I hope my business will shed a light onto those who are willing to make a transition to a cruelty free, environmentally friendly, health advocating lifestyle! And inspire people to get in the kitchen and cultivate their own wellness."

Throughout the year long Tapestry Project fellowship Lea will be working to clarify her long term goals for LIT Vegan Kitchen. She has lots and lots of ideas regarding where things could go with LIT Vegan Kitchen; but she doesn't have a current end vision to manifest.

Follow Lea's journey at LIT Vegan Kitchen

Photography credit: Lamar Landers and Theorematic

We were so honored to work with farmer Carolyn Leadley, from Rising Pheasant, during the dinner series earlier this summer, in partnership with .
Rising Pheasant Farms started by growing produce in, yep, an attic. Today, they are hosting an Open House to celebrate their 10th year of growing. They're not in an attic anymore.
Come out an experience a real working family farm in the city, with tours of the gardens as well as their recent rainwater catchment and solar power improvements. .
Rising Pheasant Farms, 5228 Moran Street, Detroit, MI, 48211.
Today, from 2pm - 5pm.

Our dinner series, in partnership with Keep Growing Detroit, has come to an end.

Tonight was such a beautiful night!

Thank you to all the amazing women - chefs, cook, culinarians, farmers, and growers - who participated in the series. We love and appreciate you so much.

Stay tuned for next year's series!

My name is LeGenevieve Squires. I am your new Brand Ambassador for The Farmer's Hand What an honor!

During this summer, I have hosted Farm Stands bringing you a premier selection of products from local & regional artisans around Detroit & MI.

As we transition The Farmer's Hand toward her forever home (stay tuned for updates here!) it's important to me to not only stay closely engaged with the community; but to build lasting connections & relationships.

I am here to bring you love, light, positivity, & of course the best locally sourced products around.

Please make sure you stop by Wayne State Farmer's Market tomorrow and visit Le'Genevieve Squires & FoodLab member business, The Farmer's Hand stand.

It's full swing into fall harvest, so now is the time to get your summer favorites & your fall crops at their peak.

LeGenevieve will be there helping to educate the community about supporting local farmers & selling the freshest seasonal produce as well as locally made, handcrafted packaged goods.

Market fun is from 10am-3pm, with yoga, a cooking demo, & music to add to the mix!

Repost & Photo credit: The Farmer's Hand

Women are no longer willing to accept that the restaurant world has to be toxic and patriarchal. Women are fed up with being more than half of the culinary graduates; but fewer than 20 percent of working chefs. Women are outraged that there are so few women running kitchens and owning restaurants - as a matter of fact, only 6 percent.
If you’re looking to see who is challenging these deeply ingrained realities, look no further than the women in Detroit's culinary industry who are enacting the differences they want to see.
For nearly a year, FoodLab has been talking to seven women in the industry who have risen to the challenge and overcome many personal hurdles in order to leave their impression on Detroit's food culture in the process.
Stay tune for the booklet where we'll be sharing the "behind-the-scene stories" of these seven women: April Anderson (), Lisa Ludwinski (), Molly Mitchell ( ), Bekah Galang ( ), Meiko Krishok ( ), Rohani Foulkes and Kiki Louya ( & ).