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June 5, 6:30 P.M. Talk and Bites: Queering the Table: On Being Black and Queer in the Hospitality Industry

June 05, 2024 06:30 PM

Featuring Kareem Queeman, Andre Springer, Danisia “Chef D” Anderson, and Chala June

25 11th Ave, New York, NY 10011, USA

Join us for an evening of hors d’oeuvres, wine, and conversation that interrogates what it means to be Black and queer in the hospitality industry. Curated by and featuring James Beard Award semifinalist pastry chef Kareem “Mr. Bake” Queeman, a panel of industry leaders including cultural creative Chala June, entrepreneur Andre Springer, and sous chef at Tatiana’s Danisia “Chef D” Anderson, will share their unique perspectives and stories of how they have each overcome obstacles to become trailblazers. 

Bites from Chef Danisia and Kareem Queeman will be served along with wines curated by Ikimi Woodson of The Roots Fund.

General Admission: $45

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MENU

Yuca Fritter with Roasted Red Pepper  Sofrito Aïoli and Chimichurri 

Red Snapper Ceviche and Plantain Chip with Cucumber, Avocado, Citrus-Coriander Leche de Tigre, Pineapple, and Old Bay Pearls 

Sweet Potato Cupcakes with Caramel– Rum Filling, Spiced Cream Cheese, and Candied Pecans  
Contains gluten and dairy 

Wines generously donated by The Roots Fund.

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About Kareem Queeman:
Kareem Queeman, affectionately known as “Mr. Bake,” graduated from the Culinary Institute of New York at Monroe College. He was a 2023 James Beard Foundation Award semifinalist for Outstanding Pastry Chef and Baker. After losing his mother in 2017, it became Kareem’s mission to represent Black and queer bakers on a national scale. He has appeared on Netflix, Food Network, Rachael Ray, the TODAY Show, and was the 2018 winner of the Discovery Family series, Bake it Like Buddy.

About Andre Springer:
Andre Springer is a native New Yorker from Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. A fine artist at his core, Andre is also the creator and founder of Shaquanda’s Hot Pepper Sauce. Inspired by Andre’s drag persona Shaquanda, Shaquanda’s Hot Pepper Sauce was originally created for Bushwig, a music and drag festival. Shaquanda’s Sauces can be found at all Northeast locations of Whole Foods, the Whitney Museum, Brooklyn Museum gift shops, and many specialty stores across the United States. 

About Chala June:
Chala June (they/he/she) is a Congolese-American storyteller and cultural artist based in Brooklyn, NY. Inspired by the rich legacies of storytelling found in their Black, queer, and trans communities, Chala’s work seeks to examine the ever-shifting landscape of popular culture through a deeply personal and oft-politicized lens. Since graduating from Emerson College with a BA in writing, literature, and publishing in 2018, Chala has emerged as a multidisciplinary artist whose storytelling has come to life through magazines, podcasts, dining experiences, drag performances, and more. Chala is currently a self-employed freelancer working to create an intentional dialogue about food and cannabis as cultural medicines. 

About Danisia Anderson:
Danisia “Chef D” Anderson is the sous chef at Tatiana by Kwame Onwuachi, the #1 restaurant in New York City according to the New York Times. Previous to Tatiana, Chef D worked at Gage & Tollner in Brooklyn. A lifelong New Yorker, Danisia was raised in the South Bronx.


Tickets to events held at Platform at Pier 57 by the James Beard Foundation cover the cost of food, education and a unique dining experience. Meals are prepared by culinary masters from all regions of the United States and around the world. Unless otherwise stated, alcoholic beverages are provided on a complimentary basis and are not included in the ticket price.

James Beard Foundation events permit guests age 21 years and older to attend events where alcoholic beverages are served.

Event Policy

Reservation Policy:

All reservations are non-refundable and must be made in advance. Should the event be cancelled due to any unforeseen circumstances, including COVID-19, JBF will offer a range of options, including ticket exchanges, the option to donate tickets, or a full refund. For more information, contact platformbyjbf@jamesbeard.org.

Alcohol Disclaimer:

James Beard Foundation events permit guests age 21 years and older to attend events where alcoholic beverages are served. 

Dietary/Food Restrictions Policy:

Events at Platform by JBF are special one-night-only menus and we do not offer a la carte menus. If you have serious food allergies, we will work with the visiting chef team to do our best to accommodate but cannot guarantee that alternate options will be available for every course.

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