Welcome to Pass the Plate! 🍽️ sponsored by: #kingdomdirectoryllc In our debut episode, we're honored to feature Chef David, known as He Who Cooketh, for a conversation that goes way deeper than the kitchen. While cooking up his signature deep fried chicken tacos with homemade guacamole and chipotle sour cream, we explore a question that's been on our hearts: What is soul food, really? Soul food isn't just Southern cuisine—it's the love language that exists in every culture. It's what grandma made. It's the meal that says "I'm here for you" even when showing up costs something. It's the creativity born from making magic with whatever you have. Now lets be clear we must still honor the rich heritage of Soul Food as it originates from African American culture, rooted in the resilience, ingenuity, and strength of Black communities in the Deep South. This cuisine carries profound historical significance, born from the creativity of enslaved people who transformed available ingredients into nourishing, flavorful dishes that sustained bodies and souls through unimaginable hardship. Soul Food represents survival, resistance, creativity, community, and the triumph of spirit. And Chef David helps us understand something beautiful: while Soul Food has its specific and sacred place in Black history and culture, the concept of "soul food", food that feeds more than just the body - is universal. Every culture has those dishes that taste like home, like love, like belonging. Recognizing this doesn't take away from Soul Food's significance; it actually highlights why it matters so much. 0:00 - Introduction Meet He Who Cooketh Today's dish: Deep Fried Chicken Tacos 2:30 - Prep & Real Talk Kitchen basics & knife skills The difference between cooking and catering Learning to cook as sacrifice and love 8:45 - Soul Food vs Southern Cuisine The big question: What IS soul food? "Every culture has its own soul food" Heritage vs ingredients 14:20 - Cooking Techniques Deboning chicken thighs Seasoning philosophy Making He Guac 19:00 - Culture & Identity Food as love language Celebrating difference without taking away Personal cooking origin stories 23:30 - The Build Frying the chicken Chipotle sour cream (the easy way) Chicken skin chips technique 27:15 - Taste & Reflect

Welcome to Community Spotlight, the series on the Gathering Place Channel where we highlight Kingdom-minded entrepreneurs and the incredible brands they’re building. In this episode, we sit down with Ev’s Natural LLC, a Black-owned family business rooted in holistic living. From rugged, natural origins to clean and polished products, Ev’s Natural is redefining skin, hair, and wellness care with faith, authenticity, and love. 🌿 👉 Learn how Ev’s Natural began, the purpose behind their products, and what makes this brand stand out in today’s natural beauty market. If you’re looking for wholesome, intentional, and effective products for everyday self-care, this episode is for you. 🔔 Subscribe to The Gathering Place for more Community Spotlight features, uplifting stories, and faith-driven entrepreneurship. 00:00 – Welcome to Community Spotlight 00:45 – Introducing Ev’s Natural 02:30 – The Family & Faith Behind the Brand 04:10 – Inspiration for Creating Natural Products 06:00 – What Makes Ev’s Natural Unique 08:15 – Holistic Skin, Hair & Wellness Approach 10:05 – Challenges and Breakthroughs as Entrepreneurs 12:40 – Advice for Other Small Business Owners 14:20 – Future Vision for Ev’s Natural 16:00 – Closing Thoughts & How to Support