10 Black Foodie Influencers You Need To Follow Right Now
Our melanin sisters are taking over the food influencer game! They not only rock the kitchen but show us how to do it too; giving us the confidence we need to at least try and recreate their masterpieces.
They are changing the way thousands look at food with their unique dishes, skills, and love for creating hearty dishes. Set aside a few minutes to show love because it's super easy to get lost in the sauce and stand in awe of their timelines.
Let's salute these Black female food bloggers and influencers who love to share their recipes and help us all channel our inner chef girl.
1.@thedannirose, formerly @StoveTopKisses
Who's That Girl?
Her real name is Danni Rose but once you swoon over her Instagram page (which you'll start doing after half a scroll), you'll see why she's rocking the @StoveTopKisses name.
Her bio reveals she was "raised" in her "daddy's Alabama juke joint," so that right there tells you that she's certainly not new to this, and there's no question that her cooking is fire. Some of her most-liked recipes and delicious snapshots are baked macaroni and cheese (which we know can make or break an entire meal), crispy cream corn ho cakes with hot sauce, and seared ribeye with bacon scallion butter. Mouth. Watering.
2.@JessicaInTheKitchen
Who's That Girl?
You know I had to show love to a vegan and vegetarian chef. And Jessica Hylton aka @JessicaInTheKitchen is as real as they come. Her recipes aren't only a big up to those on a plant-based diet, but many of them are gluten-free as well. And while some of us are still wondering how this can taste just as great as their counterparts, Jessica has shown countless times it can be done.
Some standouts? Recipes for a hearty one-pot minestrone soup, vegan quiche, overnight French toast casserole, vegan cheese pasta bake, and cranberry apple crisp… just to name a few.
3.@ButterBeReady
Who's That Girl?
Shout out to Butter Be Ready! Real name Quin, Butter Be Ready can do no wrong in the cooking department. Her Instagram alone looks like an editorial spread for a major magazine, not to mention she's mastered the art of photographing meals that actually look good online. The best part? She also provides recipes for us.
Whether you're looking for powdery blueberry streusel muffins (her blackout chocolate cupcakes deserve more than an honorable mention), or something savory like spicy Korean wings, Butter Be Ready is for everybody.
4.@IAmEricaBarrett
Who's That Girl?
Homegirl is official official! Erica Barrett wears many hats but the one that we can't get enough of is chef. She's been featured in Oprah's 2016 Favorite Things, Good Morning America, and Shark Tank. And it doesn't take long to see why. She's not only a pro but super creative!
Her Instagram feed proves she's not afraid of taking chances with dishes like fried lobster deviled eggs, fried green tomato po'boys, and of course, sweets, like loaded, sprinkle cake pops. Thankfully, she's got a cookbook, Shuga & Seoul, to teach us her ways. *Insert raised hands emoji here*
5.@ChefResha
Who's That Girl?
She's the real deal! One of the things I love about @ChefResha is in her bio she let her nearly 70K followers know that she's a self-taught chef and pushes them to conquer their cooking fears. Seeing her feed shows that she's just as magical as she says she is, because one of the questions that keep coming to mind is, "How did she teach herself how to do that?!"
I'm sure trial and error are a part of the mix, but she's certainly gone from student to teacher real quick. From her Mexican churros to her slow roasted turkey wings with creamy marsala gravy, she's proven cooking is an art.
6.@GrandbabyCakes
Who's That Girl?
While most of us have stood under our mother or grandmother in the kitchen, it's safe to say, Jocelyn Delk Adams, AKA @GrandbabyCakes, took her childhood cooking lessons to a new level. Her recipes are inspired by her grandmother (may she rest in peace), and clearly, she was doing something right because @GrandbabyCakes has had regular features on TODAY, Rachael Ray, Food Network, and the Cooking Channel.
Thanks to dishes like caramel apple cake and homemade tomato basil soup, she's probably your favorite chef's favorite chef.
7.@LohiCreates
Who's That Girl?
Why is Lohi Creates every woman, though?! The Nigerian blogger based in Toronto (how dope is that?) holds nothing back when sharing what she whips up for her beautiful family of three. Her feed and website make it look so easy, so don't be surprised if you find yourself putting on your apron to tackle her recipes with determination. And it challenges us all to try something new.
A few favorites have already proven to be her shrimp tacos with mango salsa and grilled croaker fish with yam fries and broccolini. We see you boo.
8.@EdenTheFoodie
Who's That Girl?
Eden is doing it for the culture with her chef page, @blackfoodie.co. She goes further than dishing about delicious meals hailing from various places, and sparks conversation about heritage, food, and everything in between. This is why she's one of our faves for more reasons than one.
One of the best things about Eden is that she supports other Black-owned chefs and restaurants, spreading the word and the love down her feed, inspiring her followers to do the same.
9.@ChefDanie
Who's That Girl?
Chef Danie is an entire vibe. Her recipes break beyond the borders and make major salutes to places like Haiti and Thailand; just check out her soup Joumou and Limonaide she made for Haitian Independence Day. She provides the recipe, but one can only hope for a result as well as hers.
In the meantime, I have no shame in admiring her dishes from international to hometown favorites like Cabernet braised short ribs with roasted garlic parmesan risotto and pancakes with Chanel syrup. Yeah, she murdered those.
10.@FoodLoveTog
Who's That Girl?
FoodLoveTog describes herself best in her bio as a "spice slanger" and "magic maker." And it's obvious she lives up to these witty phrases. Taking a look at her feed, she certainly doesn't lack seasoning or magic as she spreads love via dishes like brunch potatoes, creamy corn grits (topped with bacon, shrimp, and cheese… God thank you), and Cajun soup that includes 15 beans.
Her profile is filled with inspiring messages that not only help us feel more confident with not just in cooking, but in life altogether.
Featured image by @grandbabycakes.
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Charmaine Patterson is a journalist, lifestyle blogger, and a lover of all things pop culture. While she has much experience in covering top entertainment news stories, she aims to share her everyday life experiences, old and new, with other women who can relate, laugh, and love along with her. Follow Char on Twitter @charjpatterson, Instagram @charpatterson, and keep up with her journey at CharJPatterson.com .
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Sheila Rashid's Androgynous Approach To Unisex Clothing Is A Lesson In Embracing Individuality
The ItGirl 100 List is a celebration of 100 Black women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table.
For Sheila Rashid, it all started with some free-hand drawings and a few strokes of paint.
The Chicago-based clothing designer and creative director of Sheila Rashid Brand recalls using her spare time in high school to hand paint designs on t-shirts and distressed hoodies, distributing them to classmates as walking billboards for her art.
Rashid sought to pursue fashion design at Columbia College in Chicago but eventually took the self-taught route to build upon her knack for crafting one-of-a-kind, androgynous pieces.
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Thanks to the mentorship of local designers taking her under their wings, Rashid was able to gain valuable experience in putting together collections and creating patterns; equipping her with them with the necessary skills to pursue her own collections.
After two years of living in New York, Rashid returned home to the Chi and uncovered the unique flair she could offer the city. “I moved to New York after that because I wanted to be in the fashion capital world,” she tells xoNecole. “That's when I really got a leg up. I found myself when I moved back to Chicago after moving to New York.”
For the Midwest native, inspiration comes from her time around creative peers and the city’s notorious winters — known to be a main character in many Chicagoans stories. “It's a different perspective and mindset when I'm making stuff because of the weather here,” she explains. “When we get summer, it’s ‘Summertime Chi’ — it's amazing. It's beautiful. Still, I find myself always making clothes that cater to the winter.”
"I moved to New York after that because I wanted to be in the fashion capital world. That's when I really got a leg up. I found myself when I moved back to Chicago after moving to New York.”
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Many designers have a signature aesthetic or theme in their creations. In Rashid’s design story, dancing between the lines of femininity and masculinity is how she’s been able to distinguish herself within the industry. Her androgynous clothing has garnered the eye of celebrities like Zendaya, Chance the Rapper, WNBA star Sydney Colson, and more — showing her range and approach to designs with inclusivity in mind.
“I think I do reflect my own style,” she says. “When I do make pieces, I'm very tomboyish, androgynous. My work is unisex because I feel like everybody can wear it. I cater to everybody and that's how I try to approach my clothes.” From denim to overalls, and color-drenched outerwear, Rashid has mastered the structure of statement pieces that tell a story.
“Each collection, I never know what's going to be the thing I'm going to focus on. I try to reflect my own style and have fun with the storytelling,” she shares. “I look at it more like it's my art in this small way of expressing myself, so it's not that calculated.”
"My work is unisex because I feel like everybody can wear it. I cater to everybody and that's how I try to approach my clothes."
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Still, if you were able to add up all the moments within Rashid’s 20-year career in design, one theme that has multiplied her into becoming an “ItGirl” is her confidence to take up space within the fashion industry as a queer, Black woman. “Being an ItGirl is about being yourself, loving what you do, finding your niche, and mastering that,” she says.
No matter where you are on your ItGirl journey, Rashid says to always remain persistent and never hesitate to share your art with the world. “Don’t give up. Even if it's something small, finish it and don't be afraid to put it out,” she says, “It's about tackling your own fear of feeling like you have to please everybody, but just please yourself, and that's good enough.”
To learn more about the ItGirl 100 List, view the full list here.
Featured image Courtesy