Communion Restaurant Celebrates Five-Year Anniversary with a Harlem Renaissance Celebration
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, which took a tour through different eras of jazz through the night, a special tribute to the family's deep musical roots.
Highlights of the evening included a mural timeline of Communion's journey, created by Marketing Director Arvin Batingan, an incredible multi-course meal by Chef Cody and Andrea from De La Soil, special acknowledgements to long-time staff who helped the restaurant start on the right foot, including Marie Kidhe and Taelore Rhoden, and Chef Brown and her son and co-owner Damon Bomar singing their favorite song, "Nature Boy.”
“Our first celebration of our fifth anniversary is really about appreciation for our staff,” Chef Brown said, reflecting on the unique longevity of her team. "I don't think that's normal for a restaurant to have people that stay for such a long time.”
Reflecting on the night and the emotional journey of the past five years, Chef Brown shared her thankfulness through the ups and downs of the restaurant industry.
“This industry is tough. It is excruciatingly tough at times, physically, mentally, spiritually,” she said. However, her overall feeling that night was immense gratitude to her family and team.
Communion’s five years have been filled with high-profile accolades, including a nomination for Best New Chef Northwest by the James Beard Foundation in 2021 and a listing from Condé Nast as one of the best new restaurants in the world. Despite the pressure that came with such exposure, the team remained grounded by reaffirming their core mission, the chef said.
For Chef Brown, the mission is to take care of her staff first and foremost allows them to feel empowered to take care of the community revolving around Communion. Ultimately, the focus now is appreciating the journey. “I want to enjoy what we’ve built,” she said.
Special shoutout to cinematographer Paul Sanders for the beautiful coverage of the night.
Visit Communion Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from 4 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., and every Sunday for brunch from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Communion Restaurant & Bar
2350 E Union St, Seattle
(206) 806-1916
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