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
jual manhole
Keep working ,remarkable job!
hptoto link
Wow that was unusual. I just wrote an extremely long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t show up. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyhow, just wanted to say excellent blog!
link alternatif hptoto
I think this is one of the most significant information for me. And i am glad reading your article. But wanna remark on few general things, The site style is wonderful, the articles is really nice : D. Good job, cheers
schwimmbadleiter
You can definitely see your skills within the paintings you write. The arena hopes for even more passionate writers like you who aren’t afraid to mention how they believe. All the time follow your heart. “Until you walk a mile in another man’s moccasins you can’t imagine the smell.” by Robert Byrne.
manhole cover
I was just searching for this information for some time. After six hours of continuous Googleing, finally I got it in your site. I wonder what’s the lack of Google strategy that don’t rank this type of informative sites in top of the list. Normally the top web sites are full of garbage.
slot gacor
You made some decent points there. I did a search on the subject matter and found most people will agree with your website.
rateio concurso mp rj tecnico
We are a group of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community. Your web site offered us with valuable info to work on. You’ve done an impressive job and our entire community will be thankful to you.
supplier furniture e-katalog
I have been examinating out many of your stories and i must say clever stuff. I will surely bookmark your website.
pendirian yayasan jakarta
I want to show some appreciation to the writer for rescuing me from this particular difficulty. Right after scouting through the the web and getting thoughts which are not helpful, I thought my entire life was over. Being alive without the strategies to the issues you have fixed through your good article content is a serious case, as well as those that would have in a wrong way damaged my entire career if I had not encountered your web site. Your understanding and kindness in playing with the whole thing was very helpful. I am not sure what I would have done if I hadn’t encountered such a stuff like this. It’s possible to at this time relish my future. Thanks a lot very much for your expert and results-oriented help. I will not think twice to endorse your site to any person who should receive tips on this issue.
carreiras defensoria publica
I have to point out my respect for your kind-heartedness giving support to those people that actually need help with this one content. Your special dedication to getting the solution around appears to be definitely functional and have in every case allowed girls much like me to achieve their desired goals. Your interesting useful information means much a person like me and additionally to my fellow workers. Best wishes; from everyone of us.