Comparable occasions at the moment are held all throughout the nation, however Black Restaurant Week founder Warren Luckett, a Houston native, first began it in H-City in 2016.
HOUSTON — This weekend marks the kickoff for the tenth anniversary of Black Restaurant Week in Houston.
In response to the occasion web site, greater than 30 eateries within the Houston space are taking part this 12 months. Houston native Warren Luckett first launched Black Restaurant Week within the Houston space in 2016 as a method to spotlight Black-owned native companies.
“Our huge objective via Black Restaurant Week is to get them as a lot visibility as potential, and so, via our completely different points, we’re capable of amplify the completely different eating places, present consciousness,” Luckett mentioned. “Oftentimes, small companies might not have that advertising and marketing funds or simply that disposable revenue to essentially assist drive that visitors, so and in order that’s what I believe we’re most proud about, is that we actually are a useful resource for these eating places.”
Over the previous 10 years, Black Restaurant Week has now grown right into a nationwide – and worldwide – phenomenon.
“We’re in over 40 states,” Luckett mentioned. “We’re planning to launch our second worldwide market. We at present do Toronto yearly, however this 12 months, we will probably be launching Black Restaurant Week Johannesburg in South Africa.”
RC Simmons, co-owner and government chef at Park Place @ The Boardwalk in Katy, mentioned he’s thrilled to as soon as once more be a part of Houston Black Restaurant Week.
“Final 12 months, we now have a 300% surge in prospects. This 12 months, we’re anticipating the identical,” Simmons mentioned. “To have somebody advocate for us for per week or two for Black eating places within the Houston space, it’s been wonderful. Like, you get an inflow of shoppers. Individuals are available in.”
Simmons mentioned his restaurant remains to be comparatively new, having opened previously couple of years, so he nonetheless faces challenges with regards to attracting enterprise.
“Even via we’re on one of many essential drags right here on Kingsland Boulevard within the Katy space, we sit proper behind the primary drag, so there’s a constructing in entrance of us right here,” Simmons mentioned.
One among Simmons’ specialties is spicy jerk lambchops – however he mentioned additionally they concentrate on NOLA delicacies as properly, similar to barbecue shrimp. He wished to share a message to the general public about supporting Black companies throughout Houston Black Restaurant Week.
“Discover a Black restaurant to eat at. Discover and patronize and tell us how we’re doing,” Simmons mentioned. “There’s a necessity for it. There’s an enormous, huge, large want for it.”
Houston Black Restaurant Week continues via April 13. Click on right here for a full record of taking part eating places.
