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
MALWARE
We absolutely love your blog and find many of your post’s to be just
what I’m looking for. Would you offer guest writers to write content
available for you? I wouldn’t mind producing a post or elaborating on many of the
subjects you write with regards to here.
Again, awesome web log!
창문시트지
First of all I want to say terrific blog! I had a quick question which I’d like
to ask if you do not mind. I was curious to know how you center
yourself and clear your thoughts before writing.
I’ve had difficulty clearing my thoughts in getting my ideas out.
I do take pleasure in writing but it just seems like the first 10 to 15
minutes tend to be lost simply just trying to figure out how to begin. Any ideas or tips?
Many thanks!
pokerbola
Howdy would you mind sharing which blog platform you’re using?
I’m going to start my own blog in the near future but I’m having a tough time deciding between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal.
The reason I ask is because your design seems different then most blogs and
I’m looking for something completely unique.
P.S Sorry for getting off-topic but I had to ask!
Paris sportif crypto
Take a look at my homepage: Paris sportif crypto
betify casino mobil
I am Loretta from Caramanico Terme. I love to play French Horn. Other hobbies are
Fishing.
custom mylar bags
What’s up Dear, are you truly visiting this web page daily, if
so then you will without doubt obtain pleasant know-how.
สล็อตเว็บตรง
Wow, this paragraph is nice, my sister is analyzing these
kinds of things, so I am going to convey her.
Fabet
What a data of un-ambiguity and preserveness of precious knowledge concerning unexpected
feelings.
Say88
Hi, i think that i saw you visited my website so i came to “return the favor”.I’m trying to find things to
improve my site!I suppose its ok to use some of your ideas!!
dewi11
Its like you read my mind! You appear to know so much about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you can do with a few pics to drive the message home a little bit, but other than that, this is great blog. An excellent read. I’ll certainly be back.
situs bokep colmek
It’s a shame you don’t have a donate button! I’d without a doubt donate to
this brilliant blog! I guess for now i’ll settle for book-marking and adding your RSS feed to my Google account.
I look forward to new updates and will share this website
with my Facebook group. Chat soon!
ZF Factory Watches
I’m gone to tell my little brother, that he should also pay a quick visit this blog on regular basis to take updated from most recent news.
w88
Wonderful blog you have here but I was curious about if you knew of any
discussion boards that cover the same topics discussed here?
I’d really love to be a part of group where I can get feed-back from other knowledgeable people that share the same interest.
If you have any recommendations, please let me know.
Cheers!
هدفون بیسیم واقعی وانمور مدل Q20
Does your blog have a contact page? I’m having trouble locating it but, I’d like to shoot you an email.
I’ve got some suggestions for your blog you might be interested in hearing.
Either way, great website and I look forward to seeing it grow over time.
MALWARE
Helpful info. Fortunate me I found your website by chance, and I’m stunned why this
twist of fate didn’t took place in advance! I bookmarked it.
Fensterreinigung Innsbruck
Woah! I’m really enjoying the template/theme of this site.
It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s tough to get
that “perfect balance” between superb usability and visual appearance.
I must say you have done a awesome job with this.
Also, the blog loads super quick for me on Chrome.
Exceptional Blog!Fensterreinigung Innsbruck
online casino bonus
Magnificent beat ! I wish to apprentice while you amend your site, how can i subscribe for
a weblog site? The account aided me a appropriate deal.
I were a little bit acquainted of this your broadcast offered vibrant
clear concept
Top Ranked World
I all the time emailed this blog post page
to all my associates, since if like to read it afterward my links will too.
tototogel
Hey there would you mind letting me know which webhost you’re
using? I’ve loaded your blog in 3 completely different internet browsers and
I must say this blog loads a lot faster then most.
Can you suggest a good internet hosting provider at a fair price?
Thank you, I appreciate it!
bong88
Good day I am so excited I found your website, I really found you by error,
while I was searching on Bing for something else, Nonetheless I am here now and
would just like to say thank you for a incredible post and a all
round thrilling blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time
to read through it all at the minute but I have saved it and also added in your RSS feeds, so when I have
time I will be back to read a great deal more, Please do keep up the great work.