New and Exclusive to HWA:

Kwame Onwauchi

James Beard Award-Winning Chef; Author of Notes from a Young Black Chef

With honors from Forbes, Esquire, and The New York Times, Kwame Onwuachi continues to shape the culinary landscape with boundary-breaking concepts and an unwavering commitment to diversity, heritage, and innovation.

Kwame Onwuachi is a James Beard Award-winning chef, bestselling author, and visionary restaurateur redefining the future of American cuisine. Hailed as TIME’s “100 Most Influential People of 2025” and The San Francisco Chronicle’s “most important chef in America,” Onwuachi’s meteoric rise from cooking in his mother’s Bronx apartment to helming acclaimed restaurants like Tatiana and Dōgon reflects his dynamic storytelling through food rooted in the African Diaspora. He is author of the critically acclaimed memoir Notes from a Young Black Chef, which is currently being adapted into a feature film. A celebrated host of the James Beard Awards, executive producer for Food & Wine, and creator of the groundbreaking culinary event The Family Reunion, he’s also a cultural force across television, publishing, and fashion.

Talks & Conversations

Cooking & Conversation with Kwame Onwuachi

Join James Beard Award-winning chef, restaurateur, and author Kwame Onwauchi for an unforgettable experience that blends live cooking with powerful storytelling. As he prepares a signature dish inspired by his multicultural heritage—from Nigeria to the Bronx—Onwuachi shares the personal journey behind his culinary career, exploring themes of identity, resilience, creativity, and the power of food as a tool for cultural connection. Audiences will get a front-row seat to the flavors, stories, and influences that have shaped one of today’s most influential chefs. This interactive session invites dialogue, questions, and reflection—making it ideal for conferences, universities, corporate gatherings, and culinary events looking to nourish both mind and palate.

Watch Kwame Onwauchi Speak