Communion Restaurant recently marked its milestone fifth anniversary with a glorious celebration focused on gratitude and community. The event was deliberately focused on staff appreciation, a theme near to co-owner Chef Kristi Brown’s heart. The evening was a glamorous affair, styled with a Harlem Renaissance theme, enhanced by a quartet from the Garfield Jazz Band.

The Back2Besa crew recently kicked it at Métier Brewing in the Central District, where they connected with multi-disciplinary artist Damon Brown, better known as Creative Lou, the visionary behind many of Métier's striking beer can designs. Back2Besa host Besa Gordon and Converge co-founders The Big O and Erik Kalligraphy held it down behind the scenes. 

Alright, coffee fam—let’s put you on to something special. What better way to commemorate the cold than to shout out some of Besa Gordon’s favorite PNW coffee spots that are not just serving up incredible brews, but also pouring back into the community? From Tacoma to Seattle, these are some of the Black-owned businesses and innovative cafes that are changing the game.

During a recent conversation with The Big O, Chef Kristi Brown discussed the significance of narrative and the five-year milestone of Black culinary distinction at Communion Restaurant & Bar. Situated in the Central District at East Union Street and 24th Ave, Communion has dedicated the past five years to providing the community with outstanding care, exceptional soul food, and a remarkable team.

Communion Restaurant & Bar recently marked its milestone fifth anniversary with a glamorous Harlem Renaissance-themed celebration earlier this year that focused on celebrating its staff and community—a theme dear to co-owner Chef Kristi Brown. The evening's festivities featured a quartet from the Garfield Jazz Band, food from De La Soil, a mural timeline of the restaurant's journey, and special acknowledgements to long-time staff members.

Let’s be real, Seattle. The rain is back. The gray skies have officially settled in, and there’s only one appropriate response: ditch the salads, find your comfiest hoodie, and wrap your hands around a plate of soul-satisfying, stick-to-your-ribs comfort food. Here are a few of Besa Gordon's favorite destinations to find that rainy-day warmth!

In the first episode of Chef Trey Lamont’s new series Food With Melanin, the owner of Jerk Shack Kitchen sat down for a compelling conversation at Fat’s Chicken and Waffles with Chef Erika White. In the first installment of the series airing in 2026, the two owners talked about White’s career as a Southern soul food chef, the establishment of Fats Chicken and Waffles in Seattle's Central District, and the importance of community in running a restaurant.

Chef Wally, the owner of Wally's Northwest Soul, opened the doors to his new storefront last month in Seattle’s Central District. After a decade and a half of serving the community through selling plates, catering, and pop-up spots, the chef described his new brick-and-mortar location as a return home, celebrating the monumental achievement with the community that has deeply influenced him.

Besa Gordon joined Good Day Seattle this morning to showcase her recent trip to Vashon Island, made possible by King County Metro water taxi’s additional schedule running on Saturdays. On the island, Gravy Executive Chef and owner Chef Dre picked her up and gave her a tour of his favorite spots, including Vashon Island Baking Company and his own Southern restaurant, Gravy. 

Back2Besa is back with a week of good eats, grand openings, and immense creativity from both sides of Washington State. Artists from across the inland Northwest gathered in Spokane for Terrain’s 16th Annual Flagship Event, while Deaunte Damper set the vibes right at Inside’s recent open mic night uplifting underrepresented voices. In addition, Chef Trey Lamont kicked off his new series Food With Melanin at Fat’s Chicken and Waffles, putting the history and passion behind the kitchen on full display. 

In 2023, Besa Gordon joined Ashaunti Martin for her Couture Cocktails Halloween-themed cocktail class, an event that blended Martin’s expertise in bartending and mixology with Halloween spirit. As a seasonal class in Martin’s cocktail series, where she taught participants how to create an exciting array of delicious drinks, the event brought together community members looking to acquire a new skill and get in the Halloween season.  

Besa Gordon joined Good Day Seattle this morning to preview the first episode of Chef Trey Lamont’s new series Food With Melanin, launching in early 2026. Uplifting the history behind local kitchens, the Jerk Shack Kitchen chef is all about giving Black chefs their flowers and bringing their stories to the forefront.

Nothing screams your favorite auntie’s house like Fat's Chicken and Waffles, a New Orleans-inspired chicken joint in the heart of Seattle’s Central District. Opened in August 2015 by owner Erika White, the restaurant is nearing its ninth year of serving dishes that speak to the soul, paying homage to the rich culinary traditions of Louisiana.

Island Soul Rum Bar & Soul Shack, a beloved family-owned Caribbean soul food restaurant known for their signature oxtail stew and rich gumbo, is fighting to keep their doors open in Seattle’s Columbia City. 

The soul, the spirit, and the seafood were boiling over in the Black Media Matters Studio last week when Chef Lynn from Communion Restaurant & Bar and Lil’ Brown Girl joined Almost The Weekend with hosts Besa Gordon and Curtis Delgardo II, aka Cuddy. A prominent Seattle chef with 12 years of culinary experience under her belt, Chef Lynn dove into the ups and downs of her career, her culinary inspirations, and her upcoming Gold & Juicy Crab Boil this Saturday, October 18. 

Chef Red, founder of Come Eat Daddy, brought her signature Southern soul food to the 2025 NAACP State Area Conference for Alaska, Oregon, and Washington last month at the Tacoma Glass Museum. The event brought history to life by celebrating civil rights leaders from across the region, with Chef Red’s food setting the tone for a night of cultural pride and empowerment.

Last month, the Cajun and Creole Festival in Kent, Washington brought the flavor of Louisiana to the Pacific Northwest with delicious food, live music, and energy through the roof. Reginald Robinson, owner of Altha's Louisiana Cajun Store and Deli and organizer of the festival, affirmed the "love in the air.”

Chef Trey Lamont, owner of Jerk Shack Kitchen in Seattle’s Central District, introduced his new and exciting take on a classic with his jerk-smoked ribeye steak sandwich. While walking us through the cooking process, Trey embodied a dedication to fresh ingredients, culinary innovation, and making it all happen with high energy and passion. 

Good news for brunch lovers! On the latest episode of Almost The Weekend, Besa Gordon and Curtis Delgardo linked with Damon Bomar, co-owner of Seattle’s very own Communion Restaurant & Bar.

A recent networking mixer held on the picturesque rooftop of The State Hotel in downtown Seattle highlighted the mission of WeRise Wines to foster community and create generational wealth through diverse wine selections. The event, featuring WeRise Wines, brought together professionals and locals for an afternoon of connection and discovery.