Trey Lamont and Erika White: A Conversation on Culture, Cooking, and Defining Success
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. Lamont labeled the Central District as "the heart of Seattle," upheld by small Black businesses like Fat’s and Jerk Shack.
White’s physical restaurant space, which has been a beacon for the community even before Fat’s opened its doors, holds deep personal history. She described watching the space house different restaurants over the years, culminating in the feeling that she has unequivocally made it her own over the restaurant’s nearly decade-long tenure.
When discussing what success looks like, White revealed a perspective rooted in personal achievement rather than external wealth. "You have to redefine what success is because it's like what does it mean to you?” she said.
For her, success is tied to aspiration. "My thing was setting goals and succeeding through that goal. That's success for me because it's something that I thought about, something I wanted to do, and I've accomplished it,” she said.
White celebrated the restaurant's approaching 10-year milestone. "You got a whole decade of serving people, watching kids grow, hiring kids that were customers... Giving them these experiences,” she said with pride.
The true measure of White’s achievement is the culture she has created through her establishment." I'm bringing something so that when people come, they want to come back because they want to feel like you're at home,” she said.
Lamont and White touched on the cultural significance of Black people in the culinary world and the lack of representation in the upper echelon of recognition. White emphasized the need for creativity and infusing a menu with an individual take on food, even if it remains traditional at its core. Fats Chicken and Waffles achieves this with its eclectic Southern menu, featuring everything from oxtails and gumbo to classic variations on chicken and waffles.
As a Black queer business owner in Seattle, White’s mission, above all else, is to create a nurturing, welcoming environment for all. “I want to be able to have…a space that people can feel love and not just get fed, but get fed with the love that we give beyond the food."
Erika's message to the community is simple. "Just continue to be supportive... Be the voice that lifts us back up," she said. "Everybody needs a Black Auntie. At least one. Just get you a Black Auntie and we'll get you together."
Check out Fat’s menu at fatschickenandwaffles.com, and stop by 2726 E Cherry St, Seattle Wednesday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and then again from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Look out for the full series in early 2026, and check in with Converge for more details.
Learn more about Jerk Shack Kitchen at jerkshackseattle.com, and visit 1133 24th Ave Suite N, Seattle Monday, and Wednesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.
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