Lifestyle
Was Keith Lee’s visit to Washington a disaster? Eh, not exactly.
Debacle is considered one of my favorite words within the English language. It sounds so expressive and descriptive. You haven’t got to know the definition of “debacle” to know that shenanigans were present; it appears like shenanigans were present. But let’s check the definition anyway. According to the Merriam-Webster online dictionary, decrease is a noun meaning “a great disaster or complete failure; fiasco.” Fiasco can be considered one of my favorite words, for similar reasons.
When it comes to discussing what happened when Keith Lee got here to Washington, I just like the definition of “major disaster,” because to call it anything could be vague. Keith Lee is, after all, a viral food critic (“critic” does a LOT of labor in that title, but Keith Lee writes reviews, and people reviews affect restaurants) whose positive influence can change the fortunes of a restaurant seemingly overnight.”The Keith Lee Effect” is a real thing. And we understand it’s a real thing not just due to the videos we see of restaurant owners being super completely happy when he shows up, or the lines on corners we see on social media after he puts his stamp on a place, but due to the videos we see of store owners begging him to come check them out, hoping to get that stamp of approval.
I’m a fan of Keith Lee. I feel what he does is great. He understands the facility he has and looks like a genuinely real cat who has found fame (and doubtless fortune) and is using his massive platform to help others. That pendulum has also swung the opposite way. When Keith Lee went to Atlanta, well, he principally set the town on fire along with his observations and critiques of seemingly random and ridiculous rules he encountered at several Atlanta establishments. He also hit a nerve; he suddenly sparked a conversation concerning the Atlanta food scene. Do you recognize how much influence you’ve gotten once you post a video that principally says, “Atlanta restaurants are awesome,” and it triggers a flood of videos, articles, beefs, and responses? Most influencers can only hope they ever have that much influence.
So, as you’ll be able to imagine, when Keith Lee got here to DC, the chances were infinite, good or bad. I’ve lived in DC for over 20 years. I’ve eaten at a lot of restaurants, each popular and under-the-radar. I feel the DC food scene is… good… but I do not know if anyone goes to DC for the food, as opposed to, say, New Orleans. When I am going to New Orleans, I take into consideration food. When I take into consideration DC, I take into consideration brunch. And bottomless mimosas and stumbling down U Street on Sunday afternoons with my buddies. I take into consideration drinking.
Very.
If you reside and work in a city, chances are high you do too. I’m sure you are hungry too, but you are probably occupied with the drinks you are going to have with the food you are going to eat. Keith Lee has apparently noticed the identical thing. He identified in early film that DC restaurants seemed to be geared toward alcohol, which made life difficult for him since he doesn’t drink. Now I feel that’s each right and unsuitable. Loads of DC restaurants have amazing drink menus. But I never thought, “Man, there’s too much alcohol here, but nothing to eat.” Was the food at a few of those places disappointing? Absolutely. But it was accessible. I admit I burst out laughing when he said, “I don’t drink, so… I’m hungry.” That gets a 9.5 for comedic timing.
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Well, that comment pissed off a lot of people that felt he just didn’t know where to go or was misled. Maybe he was even crazy. And that began a discussion concerning the Washington food scene. Now, look, I get that he was defending and protecting his city and its culture, but he was making an commentary based on his experience and I can not blame him. Maybe he went to the unsuitable places, but ALL the unsuitable places? Eh, unlikely. Well, some people think he’s right. Others think he’s high and may keep the DC name out of his mouth.
People are funny. Especially because while most individuals I do know don’t complain much concerning the food scene here, all my friends drink like fish within the places they eat, and only on rare occasions praise the food because the sort of food that needs to be repeated. But the purpose is that folks were critical, and Keith heard the criticism and responded to itindicating that he visited about 12 restaurants but could only post about a few of them due to the standard of food and/or service at most of them.
He said he would not name names but shared photos, which in the web age is essentially the identical thing, and a few restaurants caught the homeless people — most notably Oohs and Aahs and Soul Wingz — and had to respond, which was funny because I do not think I’ve ever heard anyone say anything positive about Oohs and Aahs; most of us have stories about pests. But I’m not a gossip, so that you didn’t hear it from me.
It is value noting that there have been also a few success stories. Asshole at night AND Dukem Ethiopian Restaurant got understandably glowing reviews (I can vouch for each, but you do not care) from Keith Lee and his family, and well, there are videos of the lines at Jerk-At-Nite which are absolutely insane. And he posted a few other places he’s been.
So was Keith Lee’s visit a disaster for the town’s food scene? Probably not. At least not in the way in which that it seemed to upend Atlanta. I feel his commentary of the town’s food scene, while critical, was spot on. Especially when it comes to the places he goes. Keith Lee doesn’t go to Michelin-starred restaurants; he goes to places that perhaps need a boost or where he’s been told the wings and luxury food are exemplary. He goes to places that, let’s be honest, could also profit from a real influencer making their mark, not places where his review wouldn’t be respected. He’s culturally attuned to his influence and where it may well do essentially the most good. I wish he’d posted photos of a restaurant he hadn’t actually visited to highlight the standard of the food in the town.
But I feel most of us in DC are okay with our food scene. There are a ton of restaurants we will go to for really good, well-seasoned food. Keith Lee has been to a few of them. And considering how expensive this city is and the way exhausting it may well be, working in a city that runs on political Kool-Aid, all of us have to drink. So much. The restaurants in the town, perhaps, cater to the town’s residents. Plus, you’ll be able to eat well in the event you DON’T drink; not everyone drinks—you’ll be able to still find good food in the town. And there are others where the food is disappointing, but who cares once you’re downing a French 75 with the team?
I’m glad Keith Lee got here to DC and began all these group chats and Facebook conversations about our food culture. I’ll at all times love to see DC shine in a national role of any kind. If restaurants feel the necessity to change, high-quality. If they do not, high-quality too.
People eat daily, b. And in DC, apparently, we drink too. I do not see that changing anytime soon. So come on over and get that bottomless mimosa.
Lifestyle
BlaQue Community Cares is organizing a cash crowd for serious food
QNS reports that Queens, New York-based nonprofit BlaQue Community Cares is making an effort to assist raise awareness of Earnest Foods, an organic food market with the Cash Mob initiative.
The BlaQue Cash Mob program is a community-led event that goals to support local businesses, reminiscent of grocery stores in Jamaica, by encouraging shoppers to go to the shop and spend a certain quantity of cash, roughly $20. BlaQue founder Aleeia Abraham says cash drives are happening across New York City to extend support for local businesses. “I think it’s important to really encourage local shopping habits and strengthen the connections between residents and businesses and Black businesses, especially in Queens,” she said after hosting six events since 2021.
“We’ve been doing this for a while and we’ve found that it really helps the community discover new businesses that they may not have known existed.”
As a result, crowds increase sales and strengthen social bonds for independent businesses.
Earnest Foods opened in 2021 after recognizing the necessity for fresh produce in the world. As residents struggled to seek out fresh food, Abraham defines the shop as “an invaluable part of the southeast Queens community.” “There’s really nowhere to go in Queens, especially Black-owned businesses in Queens, to find something healthier to eat. We need to keep these businesses open,” she said.
“So someone just needs to make everyone aware that these companies exist and how to keep the dollars in our community. Organizing this cash crowd not only encourages people to buy, but also shows where our collective dollars stand, how it helps sustain businesses and directly serves and uplifts our community.”
The event will happen on November 24 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at 123-01 Merrick Blvd in St. Albans. According to the shop’s co-owner, Earnest Flowers, he has partnered with several other Black-owned brands in the world to sell his products at the shop. Flowers is comfortable that his neighbors can come to his supermarket to purchase organic food and goods from local vendors like Celeste Sassine, owner of Sassy Sweet Vegan Treats.
At the grand opening three years ago which was visited by over 350 viewersSassine stated that the collaboration was “super, super, super exciting” to the purpose that the majority of the products were off the shelves inside hours.
Lifestyle
Keke Palmer Recalls the Key Advice Will Smith Gave Her as a Child: “It’s Hard to Be First”
Like many young people, actress Keke Palmer went through a phase wherein she clashed along with her parents. Recently in a performance at “Toast” podcast.Palmer revealed that fellow actor Will Smith helped her take care of the situation along with her family.
As a child star who has appeared on Nickelodeon and Disney productions, the “Akeelah and the Bee” actress explained how juggling fame has affected her and her family relationships — a lot in order that she admits she once considered emancipating herself from her parents.
Although her lawyer tried to get her into counseling, Palmer said it was Smith’s words that ultimately modified her mind.
“A couple of weeks go by, I’m on the set of ‘True Jackson, Vice President’ and I get a call from a very, very unknown number. And I said, “What? If it was strange, I would not answer,” she said, mentioning that she simply went back to work. Later, while retrieving her phone, Palmer received a voicemail from the “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” star.
“Hey Keke. This is Will. We’re here filming ‘The Karate Kid’ with (my son) Jaden and I just want to let you understand that I’ve talked (to your lawyer),’ Palmer continued, impersonating Smith. “He let me know every little thing you are going through and I need you to know that sometimes it’s hard to be the first, but you may do it. Just stay focused, love your loved ones and every little thing shall be high-quality.
Palmer remembers struggling as a child with the attention and fame that got here with climbing the ladder in the entertainment industry. While trying to adjust to the demands of her burgeoning profession, the actress recalls feeling that fame meant she would have to “throw (her) family away.”
“It’s something that happens when you leave and you can become a child artist, you can be the first person in your family to go to college, or you can be the first person in your family to get married,” Palmer said: explaining her feelings at that moment. “There are so many firsts that can happen as the generations of your family grow and evolve.”
Ultimately deciding not to undergo the emancipation process, Palmer emphasized the importance of getting a healthy community when navigating the entertainment industry.
“I think I’ve always felt like a lot of people, whether they’re big names or whether they’re my lawyers, have been a good community,” she added. “Also, my parents made sure I was around (people) who would encourage community rather than discord and separation.”
Lifestyle
Issa Rae will be honored at the British Fashion Awards 2024
Issa Rae gets flowers – in style.
The 39-year-old author, actress and producer will receive the Pandora Leader of Change award at the upcoming British Fashion Awards 2024, which will happen on December 2 at London’s Royal Albert Hall, the British Fashion Council announced.
Actress and former “Insecure” co-star Yvonne Orji will present the award to Rae at the event, which serves as a significant fundraiser for the council’s foundation, in keeping with Women’s on a regular basis clothing.
“We are thrilled to honor Issa Rae with the Pandora Leader of Change Award at the Fashion Awards 2024,” Caroline Rush, chief executive of the British Fashion Council, shared in an announcement.
“Rae’s work has inspired and resonated with people around the world. “She is a staunch supporter of the civil and women’s rights movements, always advocating for equality and social justice in her acting and writing,” Rush continued. “She consistently uses her platform to highlight the lack of diversity in Hollywood and advocate for greater representation in the industry, including meeting people of color behind the scenes.”
She added: “She is wholeheartedly committed to moving the conversation forward and galvanizing voices that are typically absent and underrepresented to open doors for others. She truly embodies the principles of this award and we are very excited to celebrate her in December.”
According to the British Fashion Council website, the Pandora Leader of Change award recognizes individuals who “lead innovation” to extend representation in arts and culture. Rae will be the second-ever recipient of this award. According to official details about the award, one other actress and author Michaela Coel was honored in 2023 Elle Magazine.
“Issa Rae truly embodies the spirit of the Pandora Leader of Change award,” Berta de Pablos-Barbier, Pandora chief marketing officer, said in the release. “In this second year of presenting this award, we are (honored) to celebrate a woman whose love for her craft and community shines through in each multi-dimensional character she brings to life.”
Pablo-Barbier added: “Her passion and purpose make her a natural candidate for this award, which fits perfectly with our values at Pandora, where love is always at the center. Issa’s commitment to meaningful change and uplifting others makes her an extraordinary change leader, and we are proud to honor her.”
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