Culinary Conversations: Hermene Hartman on Chicago’s Restaurant Renaissance with Chefs and Restaurateurs

What turns a restaurant into a neighborhood staple in Chicago’s vibrant food scene? In this episode of N’DIGO STUDIO, host Hermene Hartman sits down with culinary leaders shaping the city’s dining renaissance: Chef Xavier (Southern Chicago), Chef Emani (Brulee), Chef Royce of (Soul Prime), and Tiffany Burrell, co-owner of Soul Food Lounge.

Together, they explore how social media, particularly viral reviews, are reshaping the landscape for Black-owned restaurants. From the widely discussed “Keith Lee effect” to unexpected celebrity shoutouts, our guests reveal how a single TikTok moment can surge foot traffic, revive struggling businesses, and transform visibility overnight.

But the conversation goes deeper than food trends. The chefs and restaurateurs share candid stories about:

• building community through cuisine

• navigating Chicago politics and neighborhood revitalization

• surviving the highs and lows of the restaurant industry

• innovation, authenticity, and menu storytelling

• the power and pressure of going viral

This episode shines a light on the resilience, creativity, and cultural influence of Black entrepreneurship in Chicago, where dining is not just a meal, but a movement.

Engaging, insightful, and rooted in real Chicago voices, this conversation will resonate with food lovers, community advocates, and aspiring business owners alike.

Tune in for a rich blend of laughter, cultural commentary, and inspiration, and discover how these culinary changemakers are feeding both the city and the spirit of community.

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