On the debut episode of Bravo’s “Top Chef” this season in Toronto, Lana Lagomarsini, a private chef and owner of Lana Cooks from Harlem, proclaimed in her first video appearance, “I’ve yet to see a Black woman win this competition.
I love your perspective. Thank you for writing this: I have been watching Top Chef since season 1 and it’s very true. I will say that both Tiffany Derry and Adrian Cheatham both made similar statements in there seasons about being the first black woman to win. Tiffany was season 7 and Adrian was 15 - she came in second and I was so hopeful. This could be the year!
Thank you so much for your support, Angela! I didn’t know that Adrian came in second place. Good for her. She is so awesome. And yes, I remember Tiffany’s season. I felt like they were super hard on her. She was on there with Carla Hall, and they were treated differently. They weren’t exactly pitted against each other, but Tiffany was portrayed more reserved while Carla had a much more outgoing personality. I’ve actually hung out with them both at the same time, and they were super nice, funny and outgoing. I’m looking forward now for Lana to get her chance to shine!
I am a huge fan of all three of them along with Chef Nyesha. Her season on top chef was cut miserably short. Someone who also had a quiet presence on her season. I love how all 4 of them have grown and succeeded in their careers. One day I’ll be in that room, too.
YES! Nyesha is another one. She’s super nice, humble and full of advice for the next generation. I met her at the Black Women in Food Summit last year. I need to go back and watch her season, along with Adrienne’s!
If you go again, PLEASE feel free to approach anyone in the room. This is our safe space and home. That’s part of the purpose of the summit. I hope to meet you, too! 🤩🤩🤩
Thank you for that! I attended the breakout session you moderated on food innovation. It was a great discussion. That is such an important space for us and I was so very impacted. I’m glad I’m able to attend again this year. I can’t wait!
That’s fantastic, Angela. The list for this year’s sessions looks great and informative again. Plus, the speakers’ lineup is guaranteed to impress guests. I’m looking forward to meeting Mashamba Bailey, for one.
Oh, so I’m 1/16 Native American—do I get to claim “Native American” status now? What’s the cutoff? 1/32? 1/64? This fraction game is beyond tedious. Her dad’s white, yet if being Black in America is such a drag, why do some folks who are half white act like that half doesn’t exist? And why is anyone out here flaunting skin color like it’s a personality trait? I’m over this nonsense. Win or lose based on your skills, not your shade. Done.
Jesus effing Christ do we have to OVER DISSECT and be upset about everything?? She’s not a strong contestant at all and she’s not horrible. What does that mean? Less screen time. Plus honestly she’s hella boring
I look forward to seeing how it plays out. It will be interesting!
I hope she gets to stick around so we can get to know her better!
I love your perspective. Thank you for writing this: I have been watching Top Chef since season 1 and it’s very true. I will say that both Tiffany Derry and Adrian Cheatham both made similar statements in there seasons about being the first black woman to win. Tiffany was season 7 and Adrian was 15 - she came in second and I was so hopeful. This could be the year!
Thank you so much for your support, Angela! I didn’t know that Adrian came in second place. Good for her. She is so awesome. And yes, I remember Tiffany’s season. I felt like they were super hard on her. She was on there with Carla Hall, and they were treated differently. They weren’t exactly pitted against each other, but Tiffany was portrayed more reserved while Carla had a much more outgoing personality. I’ve actually hung out with them both at the same time, and they were super nice, funny and outgoing. I’m looking forward now for Lana to get her chance to shine!
I am a huge fan of all three of them along with Chef Nyesha. Her season on top chef was cut miserably short. Someone who also had a quiet presence on her season. I love how all 4 of them have grown and succeeded in their careers. One day I’ll be in that room, too.
YES! Nyesha is another one. She’s super nice, humble and full of advice for the next generation. I met her at the Black Women in Food Summit last year. I need to go back and watch her season, along with Adrienne’s!
I am bringing my copy of her book. I’m hoping she’ll sign it!
I was at the summit last year. I wasn’t brave enough to introduce myself. I did find her panel discussion to be so insightful.
If you go again, PLEASE feel free to approach anyone in the room. This is our safe space and home. That’s part of the purpose of the summit. I hope to meet you, too! 🤩🤩🤩
Thank you for that! I attended the breakout session you moderated on food innovation. It was a great discussion. That is such an important space for us and I was so very impacted. I’m glad I’m able to attend again this year. I can’t wait!
That’s fantastic, Angela. The list for this year’s sessions looks great and informative again. Plus, the speakers’ lineup is guaranteed to impress guests. I’m looking forward to meeting Mashamba Bailey, for one.
He's not a black woman, and a black man won in the end.
Oh, so I’m 1/16 Native American—do I get to claim “Native American” status now? What’s the cutoff? 1/32? 1/64? This fraction game is beyond tedious. Her dad’s white, yet if being Black in America is such a drag, why do some folks who are half white act like that half doesn’t exist? And why is anyone out here flaunting skin color like it’s a personality trait? I’m over this nonsense. Win or lose based on your skills, not your shade. Done.
Jesus effing Christ do we have to OVER DISSECT and be upset about everything?? She’s not a strong contestant at all and she’s not horrible. What does that mean? Less screen time. Plus honestly she’s hella boring