THE FACES OF FOOD & BEVERAGE

Rawn Grant II and Ronnis Gomez

Two men standing in a wine shop or restaurant, smiling at the camera. One is wearing glasses, a white shirt, and has his arms crossed. The other is in a chef's uniform with the logo 'CELESTE' and the name tag 'Chef Romel', with his hand on his hip. Wine bottles are displayed on shelves behind them.

What is one meal you could never live without?

Rawn: Lasagna is definitely one of my favorites – and Shepherd’s Pie – and mac & cheese! 

Ronnis: Bread.

Give us your advice for aspiring food entrepreneurs.

Rawn: Have a dream and a plan and enjoy the process of watching all your hard work and dedication become a reality. Enjoy learning new things every day. Don’t be afraid to fail and seek advice, as knowledge resources come in many different shapes and forms. 

Ronnis: They need discipline and persistence.

Which dishes and drinks are your customers’ favorites?

Rawn: One of our most popular cocktails at the moment is a Pear Martini. Simply delicious and refreshing while not being too sweet. The blackened redfish is definitely one of the best-selling dishes here at Celeste. It’s a great representation of our chef’s culinary influence as well as our Cajun and New Orleans influence.

Ronnis: Scampi, Jambalaya, Fried Green Tomatoes..

If you were to go on a food tour anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Rawn: Caribbean Islands! Most of my favorite foods are Caribbean. I love and enjoy the creativity, techniques, and ingredients that make up their signature dishes.

Ronnis: Italy! 

Cooking at home or going out for dinner?

Rawn: Cooking at home is always a joy. To watch ingredients and blend together and create a masterpiece is always so rewarding. It doesn’t always go as planned but definitely satisfying and enjoyable to learn new recipes and techniques. 

Ronnis: Definitely cooking at home; it’s good to spend time with family.

Give a shout-out to a local restaurant you love. 

Rawn: Red Stripes Caribbean Cuisine & Lounge.

Ronnis: One Hot Mamas.

Italian or Mexican food? 

Rawn: Italian cuisine is definitely one of my favorites.

Ronnis: Italian!