When the State of Black Food (SOBF) Conference returns this August in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the spotlight won’t just be on the dishes served — it will be on the chefs whose roots and stories embody the movement. Among the culinary leaders headlining this year’s gathering are four chefs tied to South Florida, each bringing their own flavor of heritage, innovation, and cultural pride to the national stage.
Chef Chad Cherry: From Sistrunk to a National Movement
For Chef Chad Cherry, the journey began nearly a decade ago in Fort Lauderdale’s historic Sistrunk community. Alongside his wife, Karen Pandy-Cherry, he co-founded Chef Kulture in 2016, creating a network for Black and Brown culinary professionals who too often found themselves overlooked in traditional food spaces. What started in Broward County has since blossomed into a national movement.
Now based in Tulsa, Cherry uses food as both a cultural connector and an economic tool, centering community empowerment and entrepreneurship. As co-founder of SOBF, he will once again welcome chefs from across the country to a space designed to elevate their craft and voices.
Chef Hugh “Irie” Sinclair: Caribbean Vibes, Global Flavors
Known to TV audiences as the host of Taste the Islands on PBS/Create TV, Chef Hugh “Irie” Sinclair embodies the vibrancy of Caribbean cuisine. Born in Jamaica and now based in South Florida, he has made a name for himself blending island traditions with global culinary trends.
Photo credit: premierguidemiami.com
Photo credit: @iamchefirie on Instagram
As the CEO of Chef Irie Spice, Sinclair’s creations are as bold as his personality — dishes that not only delight the palate but also tell the story of Caribbean resilience and joy. His presence at SOBF 2025 brings a distinctly tropical energy to the lineup, reminding audiences of the region’s impact on American food culture.
Chef Stephan Berrouet Durand: Champion of Haitian Cuisine
For Miami-based Chef Stephan Berrouet Durand, food has always been a form of cultural diplomacy. The award-winning chef, consultant, and educator is one of the most visible global advocates for Haitian cuisine. He is also the founder of Goût et Saveurs Lakay, Haiti’s premier food festival, which has become a hub for showcasing the nation’s culinary richness to international audiences.
At SOBF, Berrouet Durand brings his dual passion for education and cultural preservation, highlighting how Haitian flavors and techniques continue to shape the broader Black culinary landscape.
Chef Tahnee Rolles: A Global Citizen With Florida Roots
Though her work often takes her across the Atlantic, Florida-raised Chef Tahnee Rolles never leaves her roots behind. The Haitian American chef has built a career as a private and traveling culinary expert, working internationally out of Morocco while serving clients that include NBA and NFL athletes.
Rolles’ food reflects her immersion in Moroccan traditions, blended with her Caribbean and American upbringing. Her story represents the global reach of South Florida’s food culture — a reminder that the flavors born at home can resonate on plates around the world.
A Culinary Gathering With Purpose
These South Florida chefs will join dozens of other Black and BIPOC culinary professionals for four days of workshops, panels, showcases, and wellness experiences at the 2025 State of Black Food Conference, held August 28–31. The event will also feature the SOBF Master Class led by Certified Master Chef Daryl Shular, the Kulture Awards Gala, and virtual programming through the SOBF VXP platform.
From the streets of Sistrunk to kitchens across the globe, South Florida’s culinary leaders are bringing their flavors, traditions, and visions for the future to the national stage. Together, they are showing that food is more than nourishment — it’s community, culture, and a path to empowerment.
For more details and tickets, visit stateofblackfood.com.
Sign up for our weekly email newsletter and watch our weekly LIVE podcast news show every Thursday at 5:30pm. Subscribe to our YouTube page to get alerts for the show.
Do you have news to share? If so, send Hy-Lo News your story ideas by clicking HERE.
0 comments on “South Florida’s Top Culinary Talent to Headline 2025 State of Black Food Conference in Tulsa, Oklahoma”