With 4 Color Books, Bryant Terry Looks to Color Outside the Lines
The New York Times
The chef and cookbook author is heading up a new imprint to give chefs of color a leg up in the historically insular publishing industry.
OAKLAND, Calif. — “Can I show you my lab?” Bryant Terry asked before walking to a shed in his sunny, compact backyard. As wide as a king-size bed, the chef’s “lab” is a lofted work space with a standing desk and, on the floor, a striking framed photo of the musicians Ann Peebles and Al Green sitting barefoot on a porch.
Underneath a Chez Panisse poster, a library lines a portion of one wall, with a collection of books about art, culture and food. A portrait of the Southern chef Edna Lewis and a line drawing of the Black Panther Party’s Free Breakfast Program flyer are among the pieces of art decorating the space.
It’s here that Mr. Terry, 47, has worked for the past year or so, taking calls and Zoom meetings. This lab, which functions as both home office and creative space, is meant to keep him inspired. It is also a reminder of all of the beautiful, meaningful aspects of Black art. “For me, music, art and culture are inseparable in Black culture,” he said.
