Chef russell jackson

When I started this adventure back into actively feeding people in a bricks and mortar restaurant. I wanted to make sure that it was not only the culmination of the best of my career and training, but a restaurant that supported my beliefs in hospitality and service to a community.

Through a few years of discussions with friends and trusted advisors such as Dominique Crenn, Jeremey Fox, Tyler Florence, Mark Meyer and my family. I decided that it was time to serve the public in the only way I know how.
Becoming a resident of Harlem and beginning to learn the significance of what it would mean to open a restaurant here led me to find a 150 year old historic location that has ties to Harlems rich arts and music legacy. I have worked to cultivate a modern restaurant business model, philosophy and culture that would support not only a fair, ethical and equitable opportunity for family, but for my work family/staff. I felt we were charmed to have created a perfect storm. 

One of the main aspects of all the restaurants I have built has been around the idea of solving a problem, supporting and loving a community that I perceived needed me.
What I have found in the past year is that I needed Harlem and the idea of what Harlem can represent, not just to the African American Community but to the New York community at large. Respectfully.

In late May, the world changed beyond the pandemic for me/us. It’s taken a tremendous amount of patience with myself and others to digest and walk into this new awakening. Through some real soul searching and introspection and letting go. I’ve made the decision to no longer stay silent about some of the adversities I have endured in life as well as that of my people, family and industry. I’ve always been committed to change for the better in my life, sometimes albeit passively. Those times and days are over. 

As we go through the next evolution of what Reverence means and becomes, we will lean forward into the stories and inspirations of what it has been for me an African American Chef, born and raised in a turbulent time, living through yet another turbulent time of change. 
I’m excited and profoundly intent to share this with you in the only way I know how, through food and story. 
I ask that you please come, be open, allow me to be of service to not only your stomach but your mind and hopefully your soul.

Transparency, Efficacy, Advocacy.

Russell

To understand more, read my statement on Medium