From 1-3 p.m. on Saturday, April 12, the Carriage House will host FLAVA — Chef Series, bringing some of Arizona’s Black culinary talent to the forefront.
The event will feature local chefs sharing their business experiences and culinary expertise. Attendees will sample a variety of dishes while learning about the chefs’ professional journeys..
Featured Chefs
Chef Brian Hill, of Chef Brian’s Comfort Kitchen, first launched his restaurant in Washington, D.C., before expanding his career across the country. A former Top Chef contestant, he has appeared on Bar Rescue and Private Chefs of Beverly Hills. His culinary journey began in the low-income neighborhoods of Washington, D.C., where he discovered his passion for food through cooking shows and preparing meals for his family. After working at Domino’s, he became a personal chef for celebrities such as Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, and Eddie Murphy.
chefbrianscomfortkitchenaz.com
@chef_brian_hill_
Chef Cortnie Smith, the force behind Cookin wit Cort, specializes in soul food with a personal touch. A Tucson native, she infuses her cooking with a sense of home and community, striving to create memorable dining experiences. Her catering business serves the Tucson area and beyond, offering comforting flavors that bring people together.
Instagram: @cookinwitcort
Chef Patience “Patty” Ogunbanjo, head chef of Lasgidi Cafe, leads Arizona’s first woman-owned Nigerian-American food truck. Lasgidi Cafe, which started as a catering service in 2016, has grown to offer cooking classes, private dining, and its signature culinary event, Owambe. In February 2023, Chef Patty launched her food truck, and in 2024, Lasgidi Cafe earned the Best African Food award from Best of Phoenix. The business aims to make Nigerian cuisine more accessible while celebrating African culture.
lasgidicafe.com
@lasgidicafephx
Chefs Anthony “Ant” Ingram and Kareem Hopkins of On the Fly Kitchen will also showcase their culinary skills at the event.
ontheflykitchen.com
@onthefly_kitchen
Blax Friday, a community organization dedicated to supporting Black-owned businesses in Arizona, hosts the event. Established in 2020, Blax Friday operates the state’s largest Black business directory and app, promoting economic empowerment and representation.
The event is presented in partnership with Sí Charro, the Gastronomic Union of Tucson, and Tucson Foodie.
The Carriage House is located at 125 S. Arizona Ave. For more information, visit the FLAVA ticket page.
Article written by:
Jackie Tran
More about JackieJackie Tran is a Tucson-based food writer, photographer, culinary educator, and owner-chef of the now-closed food truck Tran’s Fats. Although he is best known locally for his work for Tucson Foodie, his work has also appeared in publications such as Bon Appétit, National Geographic, and the New York Times.
An adventurous foodie, he enjoys culinary experiences ranging from seasonal omakase to sloppily devouring green chili patty melts in his car afterhours. His favorite foods include aguachile, garlic noodles, and leftover fried chicken illuminated by the fridge light. His favorite drinks include morning micheladas, fireside imperial stouts, candle-lit negroni, and grassy mezcales.
Outside of food, he also loves playing musical instruments, karaoke, Tetris, Super Smash Bros. Melee, and petting Addie’s dog Spaghetti.
If you’d like to stalk him, visit his Instagram @jackie_tran_ or jackietran.com.
