A year ago, The Fayetteville Observer launched Black Tastemakers, an occasional series that highlights African American excellence and influence on the Fayetteville-area food scene. 

Among the people featured are culinary veterans and up-and-coming talent; entrepreneurs who bring new flavors to the city and chefs who serve longstanding favorites; and people who run food trucks, have opened sit-down restaurants or elevated the city’s nightlife.

The series is certainly not an exhaustive look at the Black professionals who make the Fayetteville food scene great. It doesn’t include, for example, the sisters who sell gourmet cupcakes in a vending machine at Cross Creek Mall; the Spring Lake woman turning her restaurant into a culinary school; nor the doughnut food truck with a cult following in Fayetteville, just to name a few. 

It is, however, a look at some of the delicious food in Fayetteville and the stories of the people who make it possible. 

Read the installments of our Black Tastemakers series:

We will continue to update this page as the series continues. Nominate Black culinary professionals and entrepreneurs by emailing tshook@gannett.com.  

Danielle Sheikh, Bella Melange Mobile Bartending Service 

Danielle Sheikh, who got her start by selling artisanal spiked Jello shots, is shaking up the bar scene with luxury cocktails at some of the city’s hottest events. Read the full story. 

Bruce Yeomans, Noth’n Fancy food truck 

Navy veteran, Douglas Byrd graduate and pitmaster Bruce Yeomans captures the flavor of Fayetteville with slow-cooked barbecue. Read the full story. 

Yoniara Montoya, The Vegan Spot 

Vegan food truck founder Yoniara Montoya brings plant-based comfort food to Murchison Road with a new restaurant. Read the full story. 

Terrance Jones and Dimitri Parker, Cru Lounge

Fayetteville native Terrance Jones and a Fayetteville State alum Dimitri Parker brought one of the largest Black-owned nightlife chains to the All-American city. Read the full story. 

Sheldon China, Melvin’s at Riverside 

Culinary veteran Sheldon China returned to his hometown to open a Southern comfort food restaurant, which quickly became one of Fayetteville’s favorite spots for ribs, pork chops, seafood and desserts. Read the full story. 

Stacie Huderson-Simfukwe, Household 6 Catering 

Military spouse Stacie Huderson-Simfukwe founded the city’s first brunch food truck, which has roots in her specialty granola business. Read the full story. 

Trell Liles, Heart & Soul Soul Food Lounge 

Trell Liles puts his own flair on family recipes at his soul food restaurant on Ramsey Street, creating dishes that bring North Fayetteville together. Read the full story. 

Jelisa Montalvo, Dorothy’s Catering 2 

Chef Jelisa Montalvo continues her late grandmother’s legacy by taking over a catering business that has served the community for decades. Read the full story. 

Jane Smith, Jane Cakes 

A Fort Liberty spouse and mother of three specializing in hyper-realistic cakes once owned a downtown shop that sold cakes by the slice. Read the full story. 

Erica Baldwin, Food 4 the Soul 

After suffering the loss of her son and husband, chef Erica Baldwin put her all into serving the Fayetteville area. Read the full story. 

Black Tastemakers map

See the map for a look at the locations featured in the series. Brick-and-mortar restaurants and mobile restaurants with a home base location are shown. For updated hours and locations of the other mobile businesses, see their social media pages.

Food, dining and culture reporter Taylor Shook can be reached at tshook@gannett.com or on Facebook. Want weekly food news delivered to your inbox? Sign up for the Fayetteville Foodies newsletter.