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 LISTÂ 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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When discussing the topic of raising children, discipline is often the first thing that comes to mind. Children need discipline. Full stop. But what is discipline? And how do we draw the line between discipline and revenge?
The origin of the word "discipline" can be traced back to the Latin word "disciplina," which means "instruction" or "teaching." Over time, however, discipline has come to be synonymous with punishment, with parents relying on shame, fear, and/or physical pain to curb undesirable behavior.
Teaching takes time, so nipping it in the bud in whatever fashion parents deem necessary (within reason) has become the norm. But is this what’s best for children? And when does it become less about curbing undesirable behavior and more about getting our licks back for offenses we feel our children should know better to do?
In my work as a parenting coach, I’ve often heard parents say, “I asked him nicely three times before spanking him. He didn’t stop doing it until I did, so clearly talking doesn’t work.”
And the parent isn’t wrong. Talking often doesn’t work the first, the third, or the even the 10th time. And the reason is directly tied to brain development.
Children cannot and do not process information the way an adult can. Auditory processing is not fully developed until a child is 14 or 15 years old. And even then, if a child has auditory processing delays or Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), they may always struggle with processing auditory commands. According to Susie S. Loraine, MA, CCC-SLP, the term auditory processing refers to how the brain perceives and interprets sound information. Several skills determine auditory processing ability—or listening success. They develop in a general four-step hierarchy, but all work together and are essential for daily listening.
Without this understanding, discipline can easily become revenge because parents will then view their child’s misdeeds as a personal slight. Instead of teaching them to do better, parents now want to show them the consequences of not doing better. This is why it's imperative for parents to discern between discipline and revenge to maintain healthy relationships with their children.
5 WAYS TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN PARENTAL GUIDANCE AND RETALIATION:Â Â
​Understanding The Intent
Discipline is rooted in love and concern for the child's well-being. It focuses on teaching lessons and helping children understand the consequences of their actions. Conversely, revenge-driven actions stem from a desire to inflict pain or punishment as payback for perceived slights or disobedience. Parents should reflect on their motives before taking disciplinary actions. Ask yourself whether your intention is to help your child learn or to make them suffer for upsetting you.
Example: If a child accidentally breaks a valuable item, a disciplinary response would involve discussing the importance of being careful and working with the child to come up with a way to replace or fix what they’ve broken. On the other hand, a vengeful reaction might involve yelling, harsh punishment, or bringing up past mistakes to intensify guilt.
​Maintaining Emotional Regulation
Effective discipline requires parents to remain calm and composed, even in challenging situations. It's natural to feel upset or frustrated when children misbehave, but responding with anger or resentment can escalate the situation and blur the line between discipline and revenge. Before addressing the issue, take a moment to breathe and collect your thoughts.
Example: If a child cannot follow instructions, a disciplined response would involve calmly explaining why their cooperation is necessary in working with the child to accomplish the goal. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve shouting, name-calling, or resorting to physical punishment out of anger.
​Promoting Growth and Learning
Discipline should always aim to promote growth and learning. It involves guiding children toward making better choices and understanding the impact of their actions on themselves and others. Effective discipline strategies include positive reinforcement, setting clear expectations, and providing opportunities for reflection and growth.
Example: If a child repeatedly forgets to complete their chores, a disciplinary approach would involve discussing the importance of responsibility and finding solutions together, such as creating a chore chart or setting reminders with Siri or Alexa. In contrast, a revenge-driven response might involve imposing overly harsh punishments or belittling the child, which can undermine their self-esteem and hinder their ability to learn from their mistakes.
Momo Productions/Getty
Building Trust and Communication
Trust and open communication are essential components of a healthy parent-child relationship. Discipline should strengthen this bond by fostering trust and encouraging children to confide in their parents without fear of judgment or retaliation. When children feel safe and supported, they're more likely to accept discipline as a form of guidance rather than punishment.
Example: If a child admits to breaking a rule or making a mistake, a disciplined response would involve listening to their perspective, discussing the consequences of their actions, and working together to find a solution. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve accusations, blame, or shutting down communication, which can erode trust and damage the parent-child relationship.
Seeking Professional Guidance
Parenting is a learning journey, and, disciplining children is a delicate balance between guiding them toward responsible behavior and nurturing their growth. By understanding the intent behind our actions, maintaining emotional regulation, promoting growth and learning, building trust and communication, and seeking professional guidance when needed, as parents we can help our children built on love, respect, and understanding.
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Featured image by Courtney Hale/Getty Images