The Austin Food & Wine Festival has always been a celebration of culinary excellence, but this year, it also highlights heritage and breaking barriers, particularly with the talented Black chefs leading the charge. In an industry where representation has been limited, chefs like Nicola Blaque, Michelle Wallace, Ashleigh Shanti, and Amanda Turner are not only redefining the culinary landscape but also proudly showcasing their cultural roots. These chefs are forging a path that bridges tradition and innovation while spotlighting the rich diversity in the culinary world.
Nicola Blaque – The Jerk Shack
Nicola Blaque’s journey from the military to the kitchen is remarkable. As the owner of The Jerk Shack and Freight Chicken in San Antonio, she has introduced the bold flavors of Jamaican cuisine to Texas, blending them with the state’s love for hearty meals. Blaque’s culinary career began in 2018 when she transitioned from a successful catering business to a brick-and-mortar restaurant on San Antonio’s West Side. The Jerk Shack quickly became a local favorite, serving Jamaican staples like jerk chicken, curry goat, and fried plantains.
Her dedication to authenticity and her ability to fuse Jamaican heritage with Texas flavors earned her a 2023 James Beard nomination for Best Chef: Texas. Blaque’s presence at the Austin Food & Wine Festival embodies the festival’s celebration of diverse culinary traditions. Attendees can expect a taste of Jamaica through her uniquely Texan lens, reflecting both her creativity and passion.
Michelle Wallace – B’tween Sandwich Co.
Houston-based chef Michelle Wallace is making waves with her innovative approach to comfort food. A former contestant on Top Chef (Season 21) and BBQ Brawl (Season 3), Wallace’s expertise ranges from barbecue to modern sandwiches. After honing her skills with Houston Pitmaster Greg Gatlin of Gatlin’s BBQ for over six years, she launched B’tween Sandwich Co. in early 2023.
What started as a series of pop-up events in Houston has turned into a beloved venture, with Wallace offering creative, flavor-packed sandwiches that push the boundaries of traditional American cuisine. Her time with Gatlin has profoundly shaped her approach to food, inspiring her to blend barbecue flavors with fresh, modern twists. A James Beard Taste America chef in 2022, Wallace continues to elevate Black cuisine through her inventive dishes, and her participation in the Austin Food & Wine Festival promises more of her boundary-pushing creations.
Ashleigh Shanti – Good Hot Fish
Ashleigh Shanti’s culinary star has risen steadily since she was named a semi-finalist for the 2020 James Beard Award for “Rising Star Chef of the Year.” The Top Chef: Houston alum has continued to gain recognition, not only for her television appearances but also for her groundbreaking work with her restaurant, Good Hot Fish, in Asheville, North Carolina. Shanti’s modern-day fish camp pays tribute to Southern foodways, particularly the culinary traditions of Black Southerners, and has earned national recognition, with The New York Times naming Good Hot Fish one of the 50 Best Restaurants in America in 2024.
Shanti’s ability to honor her heritage while innovating with modern techniques has made her a standout in the American culinary scene. At the Austin Food & Wine Festival, her dishes will highlight the fresh, vibrant flavors of her restaurant while paying homage to the rich history of Black Southern cuisine.
Amanda Turner – Olamaie
Amanda Turner, Chef de Cuisine at Olamaie, has quickly become a rising star in the culinary world by blending Southern flavors with influences from the African diaspora. Her creative approach to Southern cuisine, combined with her fascination with fusion—particularly Japanese flavors—has positioned her as a chef to watch. Turner’s work at Olamaie, one of Austin’s premier Southern restaurants, has earned her multiple accolades, including a James Beard semifinalist nod for Emerging Chef in 2022 and the title of Austin Tastemaker Chef of the Year in 2023.
Her dishes elevate traditional Southern fare with modern techniques and farm-fresh ingredients, reflecting both her innovative vision and deep respect for her culinary heritage. At this year’s festival, Turner will present a menu that celebrates the richness and versatility of Black Southern food through a modern lens.
These chefs, each with a unique style and story, share a common mission: to elevate Black culinary traditions and expand the possibilities of the kitchen. Whether through the bold flavors of Jamaica, the mastery of barbecue, the reinvention of Southern cuisine, or the fusion of global influences, Blaque, Wallace, Shanti, and Turner are breaking barriers in an industry that has been slow to fully recognize the contributions of Black chefs.
At the Austin Food & Wine Festival, these chefs aren’t just cooking; they are telling stories—stories of their ancestors, their heritage, and the power of food to unite people. Their presence at the festival is a testament to their talent, resilience, and the rich diversity within the culinary world. Through their food, they honor their roots while blazing trails for the next generation of Black chefs.
As they take center stage at this year’s festival, it is clear that these chefs are not just breaking barriers; they are building bridges—connecting the past with the present and offering a future for food as diverse and dynamic as the dishes they create.
