Notes from a Young Black Chef

While walking down Bourbon Street in New Orleans as a young man, Onwuachi feels a deep connection to the city. His mother grew up in Louisiana before moving north in the 1960s. Now Onwuachi runs into a childhood friend named Michael, sparking many memories.

At the direction of his father, Onwuachi took a gifted and talented test as a child. His score on the test landed him in a school with a diverse group of students in Baychester. One of these students was Michael Gallagher and his twin brother, Patrick. The two Irish brothers invited Onwuachi to their home, which became one of Onwuachi’s favorite places. Michael and Patrick’s mother served Irish staples with little seasoning, and Onwuachi considered the food inferior to his own mother’s cooking. However, he was amazed at the comfort and ease with which the family members interacted with one another and was especially struck by the easy affection with which Mr. Gallagher treated his sons and wife.

At school, however, he felt like an outsider. Even in second grade, he took note of how his teachers were quick to punish him, a Black student, for infractions that warranted only warnings for white students. He also became more aggressive toward his classmates, throwing one boy “off a jungle gym so hard he fractured his wrist” and calling others “worthless piece of shit” or “stupid idiot” (53).