Black History Month is well underway and this year we want to celebrate by supporting black-owned business. So, we’re sharing our favorite black-owned food inspired businesses with you and we hope you’ll pay it forward and share with your circle. Best of all, these businesses sell their services and merchandise year round so you can invest your coins in them even once Black History Month has ended!
1. The Kitchenista
Angela, AKA The Kitchenista is a self-taught chef that loves all things food. In addition to her cookbooks, she makes home visits where she’ll cook for you and your friends. The catch, you have to be in the Washington D.C. metro area.
2. Food Before Love
That’s right, this site is owned and operated by Casandra Rosario and has half a dozen black women contributing to the site each day. So, check out our shop. We’ve got a Wine Snob pin for every shade of brown girl and clutches that share your true mood with the world.
3. 3 Some Chocolates
Perfect for the chocolate lovers who don’t discriminate between types of chocolate, but appreciate quality. 3 Some Chocolates melts dark, milk and white chocolate into one bar. Now you don’t have to choose which flavor to indulge in, you can enjoy all three!
4. Love Cork Screw Wines
Here at Food Before Love, we love a good drink (or two) especially when it’s flavorful and goes down easy. The wines from Love Cork Screw are just that. The Chicago based company has been making big waves lately too with an appearance on CNBC’s new hit show The Job Interview.
5. Essie Spice
Essie Spice has sauces and spice blends that have been crafted in small batches with special love and care. They use traditional West African spices with influences from Asia, the Caribbean, South American and Europe. Get a bottle of one of their flavorful mixes to spice up your next dinner.
6. Southern Culture Foods
One day, Erica was grocery shopping to make pancakes for brunch. After a cart full of ingredients and a $30 grocery bill, she was fed up and knew their had to be a better way. That’s when Southern Culture Foods was born. Now, Erica and her mom are bringing all-natural pancake, waffle, fried chicken and cornbread mixes right to your door (or at your local Kroger for out ATL readers). No more last minute trips to the store for obscure ingredients.
7. Between Harlem and Heaven Cookbook
The Between Harlem and Heaven Cookbook is the brain child of JJ Johnson and Alexander Smalls. The cookbook is chock full of recipes the fuse African and Asian cultures together to make delicious dishes.
8. O.P.P. (Other People’s Pinot)
O.P.P. is a wine made, bottled and shipped from Oregon by Maison Noir, a company founded by sommelier André Hueston Mack in 2007. This pinot is described as having “earthy, spicy, floral, herb-framed flavors of cherry with gingery wood spice tones.” Best of all, it’s only $20 a bottle.
9. Bounty & Full Sauces
The “Milkshake” hit maker also makes hits in the kitchen. Kelis has a line of sauces that are sure to spice up any dish that needs a bit more flavor.