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Seattle’s Black Chefs and Restaurateurs Have Endless Stories

Seattle is a better place for having chefs who reinforce the Central District’s roots as a historically Black neighborhood. And restaurants that offer familiar flavors to homesick Southern tech workers or Liberian-born locals. The stories of our Black chefs and restaurant owners take us to rum distilleries in Latin America and sandwich shops in Italy. And they’re best told by the people who lived them.


La Spiga’s Sabrina Tinsley on Making Pasta and Holding Space

In her own words: an Alaska-born powerhouse of Italian cooking.

Island Soul and Arleana’s Owner Theo Martin on Crossing the Bridge

In his own words: a restaurateur with deep roots in Seattle and Kirkland.

Simply Soulful’s Owners on Deferred Dreams and Sweet Potato Pie

In their own words: mother-daughter duo Barbara Collins and Lillian Rambus.

Mojito’s Luam Werson on Rum Drinks and Cooking for Ball Players

In his own words: a dishwasher turned restaurant owner (and Ethiopian refugee turned steward of Latin American flavors).

Gold Coast Ghal’s Tina Fahnbulleh on Popups and Potato Greens

In her own words: the woman behind Seattle’s new (and lamentably rare) West African restaurant.











Allecia Vermillion
Allecia Vermillion
Allecia Vermillion has spent a decade at Seattle Met, arriving as food and drink editor, and expanding her role over the years. She served as the magazine’s editor in chief until moving into a newly created executive editor role in 2021. She spearheads Seattle Met’s food and drink coverage and oversees home design content. Allecia’s writing has earned her multiple journalism awards and two James Beard Award nominations over the years. A native of Portland, Oregon, Allecia began her writing life as a newspaper reporter in the Chicago suburbs before making a grateful return to the Pacific Northwest. She has an English degree from Washington University (no, the one in St. Louis) and a masters in journalism from Northwestern University. She lives in Seattle with her husband and two children.