In 2023 and 2024, Cafe Colucci, along with Brundo Spice Company, initiated a chef residency program aimed at supporting talented chefs from the African diaspora. After two informal years, they plan to implement a more structured process for 2025, incorporating applications and tastings to select chefs. General manager Daniel Yeshiwas highlighted the challenges new chefs face in securing kitchen space and gaining experience. The residency aims to alleviate these barriers by providing resources and opportunities for chefs to thrive in the competitive culinary landscape, thereby enriching the local food scene with East African cuisine.
Yeshiwas explained that while food is at the core of a restaurant's identity, running a kitchen is complex, and many chefs may not get the chance to learn without support.
I really wanted to be able to utilize our space and highlight the up-and-coming chefs in the diaspora, said Yeshiwas. But a lot of times it's really hard to get space to showcase your culinary talents.
The Brundo residency will fill the gap for the type of experience needed to maintain a thriving restaurant, according to Webstaurant Store.
Yeshiwas explained he wanted to support rising chefs of the African diaspora because there are so few opportunities for chefs to test out their skills without having an available kitchen.
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