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Home · News

10 Black Millennial Women Killing the Culinary Game

With sweet treats, delicious snacks and meals so good you'll always want more, meet 10 millienial Black women that every foodie should follow.
By Ni'Kesia Pannell · Updated October 27, 2020
01
Nyesha Arrington

Age: 33

Company: LEONA

While Breegan may be known as the beauty behind the brains of LEONA, Nyesha can be known as the beauty behind the plates. Sneaking healthy ingredients into the dishes at the restaurant in a way that diners wouldn’t expect, Nyesha – who has been seen on “Top Chef” and “Knife Fight” – continues to find ways to reinvent the already unique dining experience at the praised restaurant.

Instagram: @nyeshajoyce

Twitter: @nyeshajoyce

10 Black Millennial Women Killing the Culinary Game
02
Breegan Jane Vallas

Age: 31

Company: LEONA

Owner and designer of popular Venice Beach restaurant, LEONA, mother of two and wife, Breegan Jane Vallas is serving up a great big helping of #BlackGirlMagic and we’re here for seconds. An interior designer from the age of 18, where she was the owner and designer of her own retail space, Breegan has since picked up some new skills within her craft. Challenging herself daily, the curly-haired beauty delivers a chic, relaxed, and trendy setting with a side serving of an upscale dining experience for patrons to enjoy.

Instagram: @breeganjane

Twitter: @breeganjane

10 Black Millennial Women Killing the Culinary Game
03
Lexis Dilligard

Age: 25

Company: Lady Lexis Sweets

Pastry Chef, Lexis Dilligard is no stranger to entrepreneurship and her sweetest venture, Lady Lexis Sweets, proves it. Starting off by selling her creations at the local fairs, Lexis – along with her mother, Dr. Sharon Gonzalez – founded the flavorful company that is sure to excite your sweet tooth. Putting together mouthwatering sweets such as the Rum Raisin Oatmeal Cookies, Guinness Chocolate Cake, and the Five Layer Scrumptious Coconut Cake, Lexis is sure to deliver a unique experience for your taste buds.

Instagram: @LadyLexisSweets | @ChefLexiLee

Twitter: @LadyLexisSweets

10 Black Millennial Women Killing the Culinary Game
04
Shazmin Taylor

Age: 30

Company: Thai and Tattoos

Blogger, mommy, and wife, Shazmin Taylor is all about keeping her chakras in line and her gluten free recipe blog, Thai and Tattoos, is a big part of how she does it. Shazmin, who is originally from New Jersey, is an expert at searching for fresh ingredients at the local farmers’ market and is the first choice call from friends when looking for the perfect smoothie recipe to help get their morning off to a zen-filled start.

Instagram: @ThaiandTattoos

Pintrest: ShazminTaylor

Twitter: @ShazminTaylor

10 Black Millennial Women Killing the Culinary Game
05
Catrisa “Cat” Turner

Age: 29

Company: Eleven45 Restaurant & Lounge

Executive Chef, Catrisa Turner – simpy known as “Cat” – has been taking the Atlanta food scene by storm. Traveling throughout Europe at a young age, the then 19-year-old chef in the making garnered chef apprenticeships in Austria and Germany. Gaining mentorship from Chef Jason Ellis and Executive Chef Alexander Busch along her journey, Cat’s talents behind the stove has earned her stake in the kitchen’s of Steve Harvey, Ludacris, Shelia E., Chaka Khan, and more.

Connect Instagram: @ChefCatTurner

10 Black Millennial Women Killing the Culinary Game
06
Chauniqua Major

Age: 27

Company: Project Pop

Chauniqua Major – who is most widely known as just simply “Major” is the owner of Florida-based organic popcorn line, Project Pop. A go-to Publicist in the Central Florida area for prominent agency, Rockaway PR, Major has been dominating the food game and delivering top-notch knowledge since her arrival. Project Pop uses organic, non-GMO kernels, organic extra-virgin coconut oil, and Himalayan pink salt to develop health-conscious foods for snack lovers everywhere to enjoy.

Instagram: @Eatprojectpop | @majorcreates

10 Black Millennial Women Killing the Culinary Game
07
Shanika Hillocks

Age: 25

While Shanika Hillocks may be young in age, she’s definitely no novice to the food & wine industry. First shining her wine glass in the restaurant world as a server at Darden Restaurant Season’s 52, the spunky PR professional – and model – is now working her way up to becoming a premiere purveyor of everything food & wine. Running a budding home cooking food blog inclusive of an interview series titled “Gastronoir,” Shanika aims to become a go-to woman for food & wine lovers everywhere.

Instagram: @shanikayvette

10 Black Millennial Women Killing the Culinary Game
08
Casandra Rosario

Age: 26

Company: Food Before Love

Afro-Latina marketing and communications enthusiast, Casandra Rosario, is more than meets the eye. Founding the popular NYC-based website, FoodBeforeLove.com, Casandra has been indulging in the unique dining experiences the city has to offer since 2012. Using the platform to help restaurants with their marketing and communications, Casandra has since landed Loft 227 and the critically acclaimed burger and milkshake restaurant in central Harlem, Harlem Shake, as clients.

Instagram: @FoodBeforeLove

Twitter: @FoodBeforeLove

Facebook: Food Before Love

10 Black Millennial Women Killing the Culinary Game
09
Kinesha Goldson

Age: 27

Company: Cameo Macaron

Food truck owner, Kinesha Goldson is more than just a pretty face with flexible body and a killer wardrobe. Studying abroad in Paris, France, the Yoga enthusiast took her love of French macarons past “The City of Light” and brought it to her town of Boston, MA. Knowing that it was time to quit her dead end producing job, the former Miss Universe Jamaica competitor took a chance on life with no income coming in by using her savings, help from family and friends, and her attorney boyfriend to develop the decadent and savory escape into a tasty heaven.

Instagram: @cameomacaron | @klizgold

10 Black Millennial Women Killing the Culinary Game
10
Shantel Johnson

Age: 33

Company: Shanti Sweets

Self taught sweets connoisseur Shantel Johnson might be new to the business, but that hasn’t stopped her hustle. Developing Shanti Sweets in 2014, the single mother has been running the business out of her L.A. apartment since its inception! Appealing to both the eye and the appetite, it might take you longer than normal to bite into one of her beautifully decorated and decadent masterpieces.

Instagram: @shantiluvv

Facebook: Shanti Sweets

10 Black Millennial Women Killing the Culinary Game
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