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

Hi Israel, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
The thought process behind starting bay bays chicken and waffle balls was a threefold vision.

1) to create an elevated fried chicken
2) to make sure the brand was fulfilling a niche in the food space
3) and because I associate food with love ; I wanted to share my love of cooking and serving with others

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I am most proud of understanding how to walk in my lane and be comfortable and appreciative of what I bring to the culinary scene . I am concept driven chef . That means from the logo to the food , from the food to the reviews ; all things must have a harmony and connection to each other while driving the entire customer experience . I specialize in connecting emotions to food and food with love and family . It is what drives me in the restaurant business . I have learned that food is powerful . It creates memories and experiences that we take with us forever . I have to be a part of that to fill fulfilled in the life . That is what I know now about my higher self and that is share love through food and I am a happy being .

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If I had a friend coming to spend a week with me the places I would take them to all local places , no chain restaurants.

First I would take them to “Boston’s on the beach “ for brunch in Delray Beach

Then go Caesars Ribs in Delray Beach for some good BBQ .

As we move further south I would take them to “Fogo de Chao Brazilian Steakhouse in Fort Lauderdale.

Then as we get to Miami , I would have to take them to , “Lucali” on Miami Beach where they serve authentic Italian cuisine.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My shoutouts are to the F.IU. Hospitality Program that introduced me to cultures and flavors beyond my pallet normality .

Shoutout to every chef in the world that introduced cuisines to me that reshaped my narratives and broaden my cooking techniques.

Website: www.baybayschicken.getsauce.com

Instagram: Bay Bays Chicken & Waffle Balls

Yelp: Bay Bays Chicken & Waffle Balls

Image Credits
Self taken

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