Meet Christopher Campbell | Chef Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Christopher Campbell and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Christopher, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
At first, I had no clue what I wanted to do with my brand. I just knew that I had over 8 years of experience within the hospitality industry as a chef. I knew for a fact that I could make quality food and I had a desire to share my kitchen with creative and passionate people. So with the help of elaborate dinner parties, I created a communal space for creatives of various skills to have unique connections and collaborations. I wanted those individuals, my extended family, to have an intimate space where they could talk about debatable, personal, and business-related topics in a safe place. My company inspires creatives to think beyond their own limitations. HOW? Collective thinking allows creatives to be open to different perspectives in regards to their own brand, portfolio, etc. FOOD’N GROOVIN allows those creatives to meet somewhere they can be inspired, culturally driven, proud, and resilient. The food is what gets them there!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I come from dirt roads, field peas, cornbread, and country skies. I grew up in my grandmother’s kitchen. I’m almost, always barefoot. When I started pursuing my professional career as a chef, I often thought about how my family made me feel and that was the one thing that kept me motivated and eager to create my own thing. My culinary background was initiated in The Golden Isles. While I was attending the College of Coastal Georgia I was also a Resident Assitant, a young chef at Jekyll Island Club Hotel and The King and Prince Resort. So for every dinner party, I host, I carefully research and interview the creators that attend. It is beyond enjoyable to peek from the kitchen to notice that those individuals are laughing, sometimes dancing, and discussing everyday topics in a respectable manner. You can see that they are enjoying the food, drinking wine, and embracing each other’s company. That’s the goal for me. It’s that intimacy. It’s that feeling that creators are genuinely connecting because of the work that I have done. I make people feel valued and understood. Whenever a guest is invited to a FOOD’n GROOVIN dinner party I want them to feel comfortable, respected, inspired, and I want their soul to be FULL! When I started to establish my brand as more than an Instagram handle, I was unsure of what was to come from it. I also had some people doubt my ability to do exactly what I’ve achieved today. At first, I was discouraged but my close net of friends and family encouraged me to take a leap of faith. That leap of faith in September 2019 was all I needed. That first dinner gave me the strength to continue to build my brand around my food and now has given me to confidence to express myself through my handmade textiles: cocktail napkins, placemats, pillows, aprons, etc. At the beginning of the pandemic and up until now, those items have helped sustain my brand. I’m so grateful! The most important thing I learned from this journey so far, is that I determine where I go in life, and what’s meant for me will always be for me!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Unfortunately, I’m still new to the city of Atlanta. However, I do have a couple of places that I always take my friends or plan to visit within the near future! MY favorite coffee spot is Gilly’s Brew Bar. If I could go to this shop every day… I would! Daniel and his crew are beyond amazing. The coffee is good. The curated elixirs are even better! It’s where I like to go when I need to think of new ideas for menus, cocktail napkin collection, and just breathe. It’s also black-owned! If you come to visit me, I will always take you here first. I’ve been eager to go to The Village Market Retail Storefront at Ponce City Market. It’s a community organization created by Dr. Hallmon that amplifies black businesses and offers a carefully curated storefront of those businesses ‘ products within their storefront. The place exemplifies black excellence. It’s a place I must-visit! One of the first upscale places that I visited was AIX( now Nick’s Westside) where Jazmine Hodgson curated Culture Et Cocktails. It was definitely a night to remember. The ambiance, the food, the amount of talent that was in that room was breathtaking! I would love to attend one of her events, again, in the near future. Moods Music: I love that spot! Yes, “music is every mood”! Gallery992: The first time I went here was so inspirational. The ambiance is untouched. The people. The curated art pieces on the wall. The late-night singing sessions! I love that place. It’s so cozy. As far as dinner, I’m always excited to cook for my friends. Nothing beats a home-cooked meal!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My family and soulmate! They inspire me every day. I have a selected group of individuals that have pushed me beyond my own limitations, however, there is one person in particular that has always been supportive since my first dinner–my barber Anthony Jones. Ever since the first day I pitched the concept to him he has helped in any way that he can. My first venue space for my dinner parties was purchased by him! He is all around a great person.

Website: www.foodngroovin.com
Instagram: foodngroovin
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/foodngroovin/
Other: Pinterest: foongroovin

Image Credits
Coffee Shop Pic- The Ice Kitchen Media Railroad Pic- Jordan Roberts