With Black-owned restaurants hit hard economically during this pandemic year, Bud Light has decided to turn over their ad space during Thursday Night Football to highlight some of those businesses.
Tonight, when the San Francisco 49ers take on the Green Bay Packers in Santa Clara, the weekly shout-out will go to the Vegan Hood Chefs, a female-owned culinary venture.
The chef-owners are Ronnishia Johnson and Rheema Calloway, who were raised in the city’s Bayview/Hunters Point/Lakeview neighborhoods and have made it their mission to provide healthful cultural dishes to communities of color.
“Our goal is to create vegan dishes that are fun, that are exciting and a representation of our culture,” they say during the 30-second spot. “We want to heal the hood.”
That innovative menu is divided into small bites, big bites, salads, soups and sandwiches. Among the highlights: Jackfruit stars instead of chicken in the Jamaican Curry and the Mardi Gras Pasta. The Red, Black and Green Salad combines grilled marinated asparagus, mushrooms and tomatoes. Cajun “Crab” Cakes are made with hearts of palm, chickpeas and bell peppers.
During COVID-19, the duo has had to limit their public appearances and offer only private catering and deliveries. To preorder for a Sunday delivery (3-6 p.m.), find them on the EatOkra app or go to www.theveganhoodchefs.com.
