EVERYDAY LIFE REVOLVES AROUND FOOD ~ Akbar Ahmand, aka. Shef Ak

BY:
YVETTE RIVERS

---

The cultural climate growing up in the Bronx, New York, during the late 1980s-1990s,was an exciting and empowering time. Black culture was changing with a new explosion of expressive music, language, art and fashion – notably called the Hip Hop culture, which was “intrusive” and portrayed everywhere! The images associated with this new genre portrayed black and minority youth finding their “own voices” in many facets of black culture. Simultaneously, entertainment television programs, were very popular, and watched religiously by black families: A Different World, The Fresh Prince of Belair, Def Comedy Jam, Martin, In Living Color, The Cosby Show and Degrassi High/Junior High. The black community, especially, the youth were being influenced in a new dynamic and authentic way. During this time, eight year old, Akbar Ahmand, aka. Shef Ak, was being deeply impacted by his three older siblings and the environment. He observed minority youth living life on their own terms, creating their own lifestyle expressions in the urban setting.  

Shef Ak was also learning that cooking and food were essential to his family’s structure.There were many mouths to feed (2 working parents and 4 other siblings.) Money was tight, and there was not always a parent home to cook daily meals. So, each sibling was assigned a week day to “feed the family”. So every Thursday after school, Shef Ak was left in the kitchen to make the family meal—his specialty was egg salad! It didn’t take long before Shef Ak was adding different ingredients to “spice” up his simple dish.

After a couple of years, he graduated to cooking on different days making sandwiches, hamburgers and hot dogs. What Shef Ak learned during this period in his life, was that he could autonomously and passionately contribute to his family’s welfare by serving and feeding them his own creative dishes! Hence, his ideology, “Everyday life revolves around food!” 

After his family relocated to Baltimore, Maryland, 16 year old, Shef Ak got his first job in a bakery.Here, Shef Ak became more fascinated with culinary when he rolled his first dough and baked his first tray of donuts. Soon after, he decided that culinary arts would be his outlet in life. So, he made the wise decision to go to Delaware Valley Job Corps; within six months, he became engrossed and graduated with a Culinary Arts certificate. 

The experience at Job Corps motivated Shef AK to re-enroll into Maryland’s Woodstock Job Corps, months later, where he earned a Culinary Arts II certificate. His foundation was set. Throughout his 

career, Shef Ak researched different black chefs, who were making their mark in the culinary industry. He was fascinated learning about their passions, challenges, perseverance, and triumphs, which helped him to solidify his commitment to the the craft. Following are some of Shef AK’s Inspirations:10 Black Chefs– (see link at the bottom of this article thank you.)  

Shef Ak has not wavered with developing his passion for culinary excellence, with Urban Life creations as his inspirational theme. 

Shef Ak has gained valuable experience working for large numbers of patrons at various Baltimore establishments, namely: Omni Hotel, The Tremont Plaza, and the Best Western Plus Hotel. Often, the Management would be skeptical about ShefAk’s culinary creations; however, they conceded with respect and praise.

 

Especially when the patrons returned to the establishments,requesting to meet the chef to compliment him on his culinary flair. Additionally, Shef Ak’ has been honored to create his urban style meals for personalities, such as, Vivica Fox, Billy Dee Williams, Jeff Majors, the Ravens NFL team, and others. 

Now residing in Georgia, Shef Ak continues to advance his culinary expertise by promoting and operating his own business, Platinum Plus Catering, where he serves a blend of every day (urban)soul food combined with other global essences under the description of “Heavenly Urban American Cuisine.” 

For many years, I have had the great 

privilege and pleasure tasting many of Shef Ak’s dishes. He is my stepson, who I have help raised since the egg salad days! I have seen him grow into a talented chef, who has not been restricted by society’s culinary protocols, but rather, his own limitations. I remain supportive and proud of Shef Ak’s consistent vision to serve creative urban dishes from his SOUL.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/28/famous-black-chefs_n_5036401.html.