New Black Owned Business: A Young DC Chef Creates His Own Path
You can never have too many wings, or too much sauce. When that Henny Mumbo sauce hit my lips I was beyond excited to try the rest of the menu. The kitchen at Unity Lounge has only been open a few weeks, but this will be my new wing spot.
Originally from the Bronx, NY, Chef Jaquaun Blackwell started working part time at HalfSmoke while in school at Howard University. Though he majored in marketing, his love of cooking grew and he made the decision to stay on at HalfSmoke after graduation. He learned his professional work ethic at HalfSmoke and worked his way up to sous-chef. Chef Jaquaun then moved on to another well known DC restaurant, KitchenCray Cafe, where he was able to hone his skills in the kitchen.
After less than two years at KitchenCray, Chef Jaquaun was presented with a great opportunity to run the kitchen at Cloud Lounge. He was working at Cloud when the pandemic hit the DC area. While waiting to return to the workforce, Chef Jaquaun decided to stop waiting, and started his own catering company, TPK, in May, providing catering. He was not discouraged by the effects of the pandemic. As he says, “people are still eating everyday.”
Once restrictions began to lift around the city, Chef Jaquaun secured the head chef position at Unity Lounge. Chef Jaquaun is serving up five different flavors of wings, a variety of tacos, lobster, lamb chops, just too many mouthwatering dishes to name. The Henny Mumbo Wings are slathered with a scratch made sauce. The flavor is reminiscent of a classic DC mumbo sauce with a delightful twist. The wings themselves were moist and tender. (A regular order is eight wings.) The Fried Lobster Tacos are a customer favorite. Lobster claws in a toasted tortilla, topped with fresh pico de gallo made by the chef, and drizzled with a sriracha aioli. The lobster meat was nice and tender. The red onion in the pico gives these tacos a nice bite. (A full order includes three tacos, or you can mix and match.)
Now for the entrée. I tried the Creamy Garlic Tuscan Salmon and Crab Pasta. This was such a generous portion, I almost didn’t know where to begin. The fettuccine pasta is full of mushrooms, spinach, and sun dried tomatoes. If that wasn’t enough, the pasta is topped with salmon, which is then topped with lump crab meat. The salmon was cooked to perfection, the crab on top was well seasoned, and sun dried tomatoes were a really nice touch.
Since starting his own business Chef Jaquaun brought on partner and friend Ronnie Gipson. Ronnie handles all of the business while Chef Jaquaun handles the cooking. Ronnie loves the Henny Mumbo Wings, the lobster tacos are also a favorite, as well as the pasta when he’s craving something heavier. Chef Jaquaun’s favorite is the lamb chops because he can easily prepare them a variety of ways. Though he loves lamb chops, he enjoys cooking seafood, and aspires to open a seafood restaurant one day in the future. Chef Jaquaun had his first job at the age of nine and doesn’t plan to stop anytime soon.
Unity Lounge is open for dine-in and carry out service. Takeout is also now available through UberEats. You can follow Chef Jaquaun at Kitchen at Unity Lounge DC. For catering services follow the Chef on his personal page.
Discover more from Flights and Foods
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
5,592 Comments
dresses
Needed to write you a little bit of observation to finally give many thanks once again just for the awesome pointers you’ve contributed at this time. It was quite unbelievably generous of people like you to supply easily what exactly most people would have supplied for an e-book to earn some profit for themselves, certainly given that you might have tried it if you considered necessary. Those guidelines as well served like the good way to fully grasp the rest have a similar eagerness similar to my own to understand significantly more with respect to this issue. I am sure there are some more fun situations ahead for folks who read carefully your blog.
lgopro99
You are my breathing in, I own few blogs and often run out from to post .
login susterslot
You could certainly see your expertise within the paintings you write. The world hopes for more passionate writers such as you who are not afraid to mention how they believe. Always go after your heart.
의왕출장마사지
Quality posts is the key to interest the people to go to see the site,
that’s what this site is providing.
lgopro99
I don’t even understand how I ended up right here, however I assumed this post was good. I don’t know who you might be but certainly you are going to a well-known blogger for those who are not already 😉 Cheers!
ladang88
Some genuinely great information, Gladiola I discovered this. “Men in no way approach so nearly to the gods as in doing good to men.” by Marcus Tullius Cicero.
Fsiblog
Every weekend i used to go to see this web site, as i want enjoyment,
as this this web site conations actually fastidious funny
stuff too.
kilat333
Some times its a pain in the ass to read what blog owners wrote but this internet site is very user genial! .
royal138
I and my pals appeared to be examining the excellent advice found on your web site then all of the sudden I had an awful feeling I had not expressed respect to the website owner for those tips. These young men are actually as a result very interested to read through all of them and now have in actuality been making the most of them. Thanks for getting very kind and also for settling on such terrific ideas millions of individuals are really desperate to know about. My sincere apologies for not saying thanks to you sooner.
Read More Here
Hi there to every body, it’s my first pay a quick visit
of this webpage; this blog contains awesome and truly excellent data in support of readers.
sevenstar7 malaysia
I think this is among the most vital info for me.
And i’m satisfied studying your article. But wanna remark on some common issues, The website style is perfect,
the articles is in point of fact nice : D.
Just right process, cheers
gelatin trick recipe
obviously like your web site but you have to check the spelling on several of your posts. Several of them are rife with spelling problems and I find it very bothersome to tell the reality however I’ll certainly come back again.|
gelatin weight loss
Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as though you relied on the video to make your point. You clearly know what youre talking about, why throw away your intelligence on just posting videos to your weblog when you could be giving us something enlightening to read?|
homepage
I go to see each day a few blogs and information sites to read
posts, but this weblog provides quality based posts.
gelatin recipe
Hi! I just wish to give you a big thumbs up for the great information you have right here on this post. I’ll be coming back to your website for more soon.|
gelatin trick recipe
Excellent weblog right here! Also your website a lot up very fast! What web host are you the usage of? Can I am getting your associate link in your host? I desire my site loaded up as quickly as yours lol|
todesk官网
This paragraph will assist the internet people for setting up
new weblog or even a weblog from start to end.
gelatin recipe
I like the helpful info you supply in your articles. I will bookmark your weblog and take a look at once more here frequently. I am relatively certain I will be informed lots of new stuff right right here! Best of luck for the next!|
pcxwin
I haven’t checked in here for some time since I thought it was getting boring, but the last several posts are good quality so I guess I’ll add you back to my daily bloglist. You deserve it my friend 🙂
gelatin trick for weight loss
I besides conceive hence, perfectly pent post! .