Memphis chef feeds Humes Middle School families
Humes Middle School students and their families lined up Tuesday afternoon to receive a free meal prepared by chef Phillip Dewayne of Park + Cherry Café. “One of the last people to arrive said she hadn't eaten anything all day,” said Jae Henderson, who was helping at the distribution event. “She sat down on the steps and ate two meals right on the spot so we gave her two more meals to take home with her.” More than 200 children and their parents picked up a delicious well-balanced meal made by Dewayne.
"We also fed the community," Henderson said. "Anyone who came and said they wanted a meal was able to get one." Most of the meals were a dish of chicken over saffron rice with a medley of vegetables. Some of the recipients were given meals from Dewayne's RECOVER meal prep service. Dishes like Peachy Lamb Chops and Coconut Curry Chicken are part of the healthy take-home meals he has been making for his clients since Park + Cherry Café was forced to stop service when Dixon Gallery & Gardens closed.
Dewayne also handed out disposable masks. While Dewayne did not attend school at Humes, he did grow up in North Memphis. “I always try to give back,” he said. “I reached out to Councilman Michalyn (Easter-thomas) in that district and asked for help. I wanted to give back where I started.” Easter-thomas helped to organize the meal distribution for the students and parents in the neighborhood.
“It is my pleasure to connect those who want to help the people of my district," Easter-thomas said. "We can all appreciate a good meal. This is a great way to love on our children in North Memphis." The meals on Tuesday were funded by Memphians Brad and Felicia Robinson. Dewayne first met the couple a few years ago through the St. Jude "Spirit of the Dream" event, a fundraiser he has catered for the past three years.
“They saw that I was delivering meals to front line workers at local hospitals and asked how they could help,” Dewayne said. According to a news release, the Robinsons were aware of the various disparities families in low-income neighborhoods face, such as food insecurity, and thought providing meals seemed like a simple but loving way to contribute. “Many families have lost income while the city tries to stop the spread of coronavirus," Dewayne said. "Our school system and concerned citizens have been making sure students receive lunch, so the Robinsons and I decided to provide dinner as another way to assist and let the residents know we care about them, their health and nutrition."
Dewayne said he hopes Tuesday's event was just the beginning. “If we can get more funding, we will continue to provide meals for those in need.”
Jennifer Chandler is the Food & Dining reporter at The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached at jennifer.chandler@commercialappeal.com and you can follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @cookwjennifer.