Each year, Black History Month is celebrated throughout February to honor the achievements and history of Black Americans. It’s the perfect time to shine a spotlight and create opportunities for learning, especially in the workplace. 

As you think of ways to bring your teams together, consider supporting Black-owned restaurants (and the people behind them) in your community. Nothing brings people together quite like delicious food, and it’s the perfect way to ensure that the money you spend has a real, local impact. 

As part of our own effort to celebrate Black History Month, we reached out to three Black-owned restaurants featured on ezCater to find out how they got their start, what inspires them, and the best way people can support businesses like theirs throughout February — and all year long. 

Kernels Gourmet Popcorn

Owned by three sisters, Kernels Gourmet Popcorn is the delicious result of a holiday tradition. For years, sisters Amber, Erica, and Jennifer received a popcorn tin on Christmas day from their parents until the local popcorn shop closed.

They followed their dream of opening up their own Nashville popcorn shop in 2008, fueled by fond childhood memories. Today, Kernels a beloved family-owned eatery that prides itself on treating every customer like they’re part of the family too.

“Our biggest inspiration on our food journey is making a product that makes people happy,” the sisters said. “We bring a little joy in every bag we serve.”

Featuring sweet and savory popcorn mixes, as well as some with a bit of kick, the menu at Kernels offers a delicious treat for whatever the office is craving. As for the sisters’ personal favorite menu items, they recommend the Music City Mix, a blend of caramel and cheddar, and the Nashville Hot Popcorn, with its mouthwatering blend of spices. 

The sisters added that the best way to support Black-owned businesses like theirs is by word-of-mouth and keeping them in mind for special occasions. 

As part of our Supplier Diversity Program, we recently announced a brand new partnership with EatOkra, the largest database of Black-owned restaurants (including Kernels!)

Simone’s Kitchen ATL

Chef Whitney “Simone” Generette describes herself as a self-taught culinary artist. In 2017, she took a leap of faith and turned her cooking hobby into a full-service catering company. Today, she’s the owner and founder of Simone’s Kitchen ATL — where “ATL” stands for “a taste of love,” fittingly (not to be confused with the abbreviation for Atlanta). SKA is proudly Alabamian, with a Birmingham location and local following. 

Simone credits her success to the love and support that surrounded her as she built her thriving business, which now includes two food trucks. 

“My best friend has been my biggest inspiration, motivator, and supporter. If it were not for her SKA would not exist,” Simone said. 

Seafood is what makes Simone’s Kitchen ATL stand out from the crowd — and her favorite menu item is the Seafood Stuffed Grilled Cheese, filled with real shrimp and crab meat. She also recommends the popular Cajun Pasta Trio with her signature cream sauce and the Creamy Tuscan Salmon Linguine. 

What’s the best way to support a Black-owned business? To simply patronize them, Simone said. You can also follow the business on all social media platforms, share posts about them, and refer them to friends and family. And of course, positive reviews go a long way too. 

Find Simone’s Kitchen ATL on ezCater and EatOkra.

Bird’s Nest Cafe 

The Bird’s Nest Cafe, is a woman-owned diner known for authentic, delicious Mexican cuisine, with two downtown Los Angeles locations. But for owner Stacy Wycoff, it’s more than just a restaurant. It’s a cherished part of the community where customers are more than patrons. They’re close friends.

Stacy’s passion extends beyond food. She saw firsthand what it takes to run a successful restaurant growing up in her grandparent’s barbecue restaurant in San Francisco. Today, she finds joy in creating connections and finds satisfaction in a well-prepared meal that’s shared among friends and family.  

The menu at Bird’s Nest Cafe features a variety of popular dishes, from authentic Mexican staples and first-rate breakfast bites to tasty sandwiches. Not sure where to start? Try one of Stacy’s personal favorites, the mouthwatering BBQ chicken salad or one of the savory breakfast burritos. 

As for the best way to support restaurants like Bird’s Nest Cafe, it’s as simple as sharing the love.

“Share your positive experiences on social media, recommend us to friends and family, and consider frequenting our cafe regularly,” said Stacy. “Every visit and recommendation amplifies our impact, contributing to the growth and success of Black entrepreneurship in our community.” 

Supporting Black-owned restaurants is a great starting point when it comes to celebrating Black History Month in the workplace — and it’s the perfect way to ensure your dollars have a real impact in the local community. Ready to order? Use ezCater’s “Diversity of Ownership” filter to discover Black-owned restaurants near you. 

Golden Krust

When you love something enough, you want to share that love with others. That’s how Tiasha and Hurley James felt about the opportunity to bring Caribbean-food favorite Golden Krust to their Fairburn, Georgia neighborhood. 

The two had been frequenting a Golden Krust location a half hour away, but when a vacancy appeared in a local shopping plaza, they couldn’t miss the chance to bring the food they love closer to home. And so they became proud Golden Krust franchisees. 

Today, their restaurant isn’t just a place for a meal; it’s a hub for community, where every bite tells a story of passion and dedication. 

“Our biggest inspiration has been seeing our team members grow and being able to provide for themselves and their families, all while learning skills that will help them for the rest of their lives,” says Tiasha.

Golden Krust is famous for mouth-watering Caribbean dishes, from curried chicken to fried sweet plantains. Tiasha and Hurley’s favorites? The slow-cooked Braised Oxtail and the savory and spicy Jerk Chicken.

Tiasha and Hurley say the best way to share your love of Caribbean food, and to support Black-owned businesses, is as simple as spreading the word. 

“Share your experience with family and friends. Post your meal on social media,” they urge. One delicious meal at a time, they hope to win more hearts  -and mouths – with their neighborhood Golden Krust location.