Chef Kristi Brown Reflects on Five Years of Communion
Chef Kristi Brown sits across The Big O at Communion Restaurant & Bar in Seattle’s Central District. (Photo: Erik Kalligraphy)
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.
Spearheaded by Chef Brown and her son and co-owner Damon Bomar, Chef Brown reflected on Communion's trajectory, acknowledging both significant triumphs and profound personal grief. She navigated the restaurant's launch in 2020 amidst a global pandemic, experiencing the loss of her brother-in-law two weeks before opening and her brother two weeks afterward. Despite these hardships, Communion quickly garnered national and international recognition, including a James Beard Foundation nomination for Best New Chef Northwest and a place on Condé Nast's 2021 list of the world's best new restaurants.
The Big O (right) adjusts Chef Kristi Brown’s mic at Communion Restaurant & Bar in Seattle’s Central District. (Photo: Erik Kalligraphy)
Under the intense scrutiny of this recognition while managing her family's grief, Chef Brown maintained her core focus: prioritizing her staff and savoring the achievements of the establishment into which she poured her passion. She interprets the restaurant's success as a platform for elevating Black chefs, honoring the groundwork laid by earlier generations who often went unrecognized. Her dedication is to serve as the mentor she wished she'd had during her own upbringing in the industry, ensuring Communion continues to open doors for success within her community.
“After five years, I want to enjoy what we've built,” she said.
Keep an eye out for the upcoming story on Communion’s Fifth Anniversary Celebration in the coming weeks.
Communion Hours:
Wednesdays & Thursdays: 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Fridays & Saturdays: 4 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Sundays: Brunch from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Dinner from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
