“As a proud African-American woman, I aspire to create an outlet that celebrates our history through its cuisine. Worldwide, throughout all of history, food has been and will always be considered a major component of any given culture. The specific food items, how these items are prepared, to how they are served, and eventually eaten are all elements greatly affected by our own distinct cultural legacies, which is especially true within the Black community and how it applies to our beloved cuisine known as Soul food. This is the food I particularly love the most and is the muse to my business, SoulBites.
I’ve always had a passion for food not only because of how good it tastes but because of the experiences I’ve had surrounding it. For our community, food is the foundation of many of our life experiences. My Uncle Herby, for as long as I can remember, has had a huge BBQ in the summer at his home in Delaware. He would invite family, friends, and basically the whole neighborhood. The reason this was my favorite part of the summer was because he only expected you to bring yourself and have a good time. It was his way of “giving folks their flowers while they could still smell them.”
My aim is not just to offer delicious food, but to weave a tapestry of stories, memories, and cultural richness through the soulful journey of our cuisine. With every bite, I hope to share the warmth and generosity of gatherings like my Uncle Herby’s BBQ – where love, laughter, and the essence of our heritage were as abundant as the flavors of the food on our plates. SoulBites is more than a business; it’s a celebration of our past, a testament to our present, and a promise to pass down the legacy of our culinary traditions to future generations.”
Soulfully, Chef Shay B.
