For chef Damarr Brown, food is an extension of identity. Growing up watching his grandmother reproduce family recipes inspired Brown to go deeper and explore the relationship between his own history and the culinary arts. Now, as the Chef de Cuisine at Virtue Restaurant, located in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago, the imaginative chef creates dishes informed by the African diaspora, using food as a vessel to celebrate Black culture and all its complexities.
“I was made to feed people,” Brown shares candidly. “On a daily basis, I'm presenting the best and nostalgic food memories. In my lowest moments, when everything else feels like it's spinning out of control, I know I can always get back to the plate. My plates are a reflection of myself.”
In the fast-paced and ever-changing world of restaurants, time is precious, so it's imperative that Brown and his team operate as a cohesive unit to make each second count. From detailed menu design to meticulous kitchen prep to the first ticket of the night arriving on the board, Brown is planning, maneuvering, and executing to ensure every moment is a true homage to the craft he loves and the heritage he represents.
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