In 2021, Lauree Blair was working a full-time job, using her social work degree to help those in need. On the side, she ran a brand new charcuterie catering company known as Cutie Chutes.
But when there was a funding issue at her full-time job, she was laid off. She wondered: “What next?” God had the answer. He told her to “Put your energy into Cutie Chutes.”
Lauree hesitated at first. So many questions filled her head, and fear pierced her heart. But Lauree operated in obedience and pushed forward.
Colette Lewis and her brother, Charles, recently held the grand opening for The Toasted Yolk Cafe, a breakfast, brunch and lunch spot in downtown Birmingham on 20th Street South. (Photo by Chanda Temple)
By Chanda Temple
Colette Lewis remembers how excited she was to get her first Easy-Bake Oven.
It was Christmas morning, and she was about 7 years old. She pulled out packets of cake mix as her father plugged in the toy oven. After the first layer was done, Colette’s brother, Charles, who was about 3 years old, couldn’t wait to try it.
“That was our first time cooking,’’ Charles recalled. “It was good.’’
Now, decades later, the siblings, who grew up in Flint, Michigan, are excited to be cooking up something together again, but on a much larger scale. On Monday July 14, they hosted the grand opening for The Toasted Yolk Cafe, a breakfast, brunch and lunch spot in downtown Birmingham on 20th Street South, between Synovus Bank and Panda Express. Their franchise is part of the Houston-based Toasted Yolk brand. Birmingham is the company’s 51st store.
“We are offering good food, good portions and a good vibe,’’ said Charles. “It’s what Birmingham needs.’’
One month after deciding to leave her banking job of 16 years to start a new career in information technology (IT), Fatimah Jackson was diagnosed with breast cancer.
In denial, thinking the doctors had gotten it wrong, she sought second, third, and fourth opinions. Six months later, she was in treatment. It was the summer of 2020.
For the next year and a half, Jackson underwent chemotherapy and radiation and later had a mastectomy. During treatment, she looked for things to keep her busy. Because she was vegan — a lifestyle that excludes the use and/or consumption of animal products — she started doing vegan meal prep for others to make money. As she posted photos of vegan lasagna, curry bowls, and salads to Facebook, she gained a following.
“People said the [food] looked good but they wanted to know where the meat was,” Jackson said of her meals. “I told them, ‘You don’t need meat.’”
A few friends decided to take Jackson up on her “no meat” comment and started using her meal prep plans, too. Then, those friends posted their own pictures of Jackson’s food. Her following continued to grow, and people booked her for pop-up events which led to her selling vegan food through her new company, Solcial Veg, in August 2022.
Some chefs make meals. Frank Stitt made a movement.
For more than four decades, Stitt has been a quiet force behind Birmingham’s rise as a culinary destination. Long before the awards, the cookbooks, and the national attention, there was just a man in a kitchen, committed to honoring local farmers, Southern heritage, and the belief that a great meal can change everything.
Because of the role he’s played in the city’s food scene, local artist and photographer Arden Upton has created an exhibit in his honor. The exhibit is on display at Birmingham City Hall on the second floor near the elevated crosswalk as part of Birmingham Restaurant Week, which will take place July 17 – 26. The exhibit, which is the first time Birmingham Restaurant Week has had such a showcase, will remain up into August.
Last night, Ironwood Kitchen and Cocktails in Homewood, AL did something special.
They debuted a brand-new menu by Executive Chef Kirstyn Bielawa, who is giving Southern hospitality a whole new flavor.
Upon my arrival, I was escorted to the patio, where I sat under a golden Alabama sky and watched a firepit flicker and a guitarist strum familiar tunes. As a breeze settled in, servers began floating through with trays filled with Gulf oysters, shrimp cocktail, candied bacon, and corn and cheddar fritters crowned with tomato jam and roasted corn.
Now, here’s a confession: this was my first time trying a raw oyster straight from the shell. I’ve had them fried, and even charbroiled. But raw? Never. I stared at it, unsure of my next move, until a kind stranger leaned over and said, “Just swallow it.” So I did. And I’d do it again because those oysters? They deserve a standing ovation. (See photo below.)
Then came The Hanger, which is a smoky candied bacon coated in chipotle brown sugar, presented dangling from a wooden stand. Before it even made it to my plate, a server hit the bacon with a flame. Fire or no fire, that oh-so-pretty piece of pork didn’t last long. To this day, I still think about it. Yum!
June 15 is the deadline to sign up to be a volunteer for the World Police and Fire Games, which will be in Birmingham June 27 – July 6.
Different opportunities are available, including registration, competition assistant, athlete check-in, timers/counters, results runners, medals, set up and tear down, and more. A majority of the volunteer slots are in Birmingham, but other slots are in Jefferson, Shelby and Talladega counties. There are no remote positions. Some positions, such as registration, check-in, score keepers, etc., are available for those who cannot stand for long periods of time. Groups and clubs are encouraged to register, too.
Applicants must be 16 years old by June 1, 2025 to volunteer.
Foot soldiers and more than 200 students will gather in Kelly Ingram Park on Friday, May 9 to re-enact the 1963 Birmingham Children’s Crusade, also known as the Children’s March. Participants will meet at the park’s pavilion at 8:30 a.m. At 9 a.m., they will gather at Sixth Avenue North and 17th Street North to start walking toward Birmingham City Hall. They will end their walk at Boutwell Auditorium, where they will watch a 40-minute documentary and hear from speakers. Organizers estimate that they will arrive at Boutwell around 9:30 a.m. Several community partners will have tables set up in the Boutwell lobby for students to collect resources.
Birmingham’s historic Children’s Crusade, which took place May 2-10,1963, involved more than 1,000 students walking downtown to talk to leadership at City Hall about segregation. At the time, many students left their schools to conduct peaceful marches. They were arrested, released from jail, marched again and arrested again. Children were sprayed with fire hoses and attacked by police dogs. The event, which compelled President John F. Kennedy to publicly support federal civil rights legislation, eventually led to the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Food trucks will be present in front of Birmingham City Hall on Tuesday, April 29 when the John Lennon Tour Bus rolls up for the public to visit.
The bus will be parked on Short 20th and open for free tours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This bus tours across America, showcasing its one-of-a-kind mobile recording studio created by Yoko Ono in memory of her late husband and Beatles legend, John Lennon. Throughout the day, selected Birmingham students will be creating music inside the bus studio and learn about the music industry.
Organizers said this will not only be a chance to appreciate Lennon history but also support entrepreneurs running their food trucks.
The City of Birmingham’s Spring Festival presented by Shipt will be held on Sunday, April 13 at Railroad Park from 1 to 4 p.m. The event will feature Easter Eggs, a DJ, food trucks, face painting, a balloon artist, free samples provided by Coca-Cola, photos with Buddy the Bunny and more. The Birmingham Squadron mascot and the Birmingham Stallions mascot will also make appearances.
This will be a free event. Families should bring Easter baskets and lawn chairs.
First Avenue South between 14th Street South and 18th Street South will be closed, starting at 11 p.m. on Saturday, April 12 through the evening of Sunday, April 13.
“The Easter season is a time to reflect, to come together and to celebrate new beginnings,” said Mayor Randall L. Woodfin. “We’re inviting families from across Birmingham to join us at Railroad Park for a day of fun, community and connection.”
When Takeeka Goshay started Adored Sweets a decade ago, her cheesecake menu had one flavor:classic vanilla with two topping options. Fast forward to today, and that simple menu has exploded into 12 flavors, including banana pudding and the holiday-inspired sweet potato.
And now, she’s adding three more flavors to the lineup: caramel, pure decadence with a hint of nostalgia; Samoa, the chocolate, caramel and coconut magic of a Girl Scout classic; and red velvet, a Southern charmer with a kiss of cocoa.
Takeeka Goshay’s popular strawberry crunch cheesecake was released in 2024 to rave reviews. (Photo by Chanda Temple)
“It’s about keeping things fresh and giving people more to love,” Takeeka said. “You do better when you offer what you love, and I love these flavors.”
