It’s that time of year again—the Met Gala glow-up—when the world becomes fashion’s front row and we all become armchair critics, dissecting every hemline and accessory with the precision of Miranda Priestly herself. But beyond the flash of paparazzi bulbs and couture gowns, there’s another layer to the Met Gala experience that deserves its own runway moment: the food.
Because let’s be real—if fashion is the body of the Met Gala, food is its soul. And this year, the culinary spotlight belonged to none other than Chef Kwame Onwuachi, whose journey from struggle to stardom made this gig more than just a dinner—it was a full-circle moment.
Raised on grit and hustle, Onwuachi’s story reads like a film script. He once sold candy on subways to make ends meet and later launched his first restaurant, Shaw Bijou, which—despite high hopes—shuttered shortly after opening. But where some would fold, Kwame doubled down. He came back stronger with Kith/Kin, a celebrated restaurant that eventually earned him a James Beard Award, one of the highest honors in the culinary world.
His rising fame was further solidified with an appearance on Top Chef, and now, he runs Tatiana and Dogon, two restaurants that pay homage to his roots and storytelling through food. And just this year, Time magazine named him one of its 100 Most Influential People—proof that the chef has become a force both in and out of the kitchen.
So, what does a chef like Kwame Onwuachi serve at fashion’s most exclusive night?
Something deeply rooted in Black identity, echoing the 2025 Met Gala theme: Superfine: Tailoring Black Style. As Kwame shared with BET, his goal wasn’t just to fit the theme, but to tastefully celebrate it. “I wanted to really capture Black culture in all of its elements—from the diaspora to the Caribbean to the American South, even to just the boroughs in New York,” he said. “I wanted to create something that highlighted the theme, sure,” he added, “but also something that’s just… delicious.”
And that he did. While the gowns may have strutted down the carpet, Kwame’s menu walked the walk—a soulful, elevated culinary tribute to heritage, identity, and flavor.
At the Met Gala, it’s often the designers who get the applause. But this year, the applause belonged equally to the man behind the dishes—a chef who wore his story like couture and served it one plate at a time.
