“You just need to get up, and push forward.” – Rasonté Parsons
At the age of 13 months, in her native home of Barbados, Rasonté Parsons became a quadruple amputee. But in true testament to her character, her physical challenges have never stopped her from embracing life with a positive, ambitious attitude. Now 21 years old, she is a culinary arts student at Derrick Smith Vocational School in Jackmans, Barbados, having successfully passed all 5 of the initial required courses of study despite having no hands or feet. Rasonté’s love for cooking was instilled in her by her late father, Alston Parsons, who was also a chef. Through her passion for food and desire to one day own her own restaurant, she is embracing her family’s heritage of culinary pursuits, and honoring her father’s legacy as she is determined to build her own.
“It takes me longer, and I need to be creative in my thinking while eliminating fears to get things done. But I choose to focus on the end, I keep the end in mind,” says Rasonté. “God continues to be good to me. Quitting is never an option.”
On Wednesday, November 8th at 6:00 PM, join Chefs Kelston Moore and Tony Bennett of Bad Boyz of Culinary, with DuVal Warner (Ranch 45), Daniela Martinez, Joe Marshall (The Home Depot Design Center), Jessica DeOcampo, and Keith Corbin (Alta Adams), as they come together in support of Rasonté’s journey.
During The Secret Family Recipe — The Magic Behind The Making Of A Chef By Bad Boyz Of Culinary, this incredible lineup of culinary greats will guide you through the places, people, and cuisine that have laid the foundations for who they are today. Featuring six courses, each inspired by a ‘secret’ family recipe, the dinner will raise money for Bad Boyz of Culinary to provide guest-of-honor Rasonté — who is now their official apprentice — with innovative prosthetics which will allow for culinary equipment attachments designed to propel her forward on her trajectory to becoming a chef. Immerse yourself in the deeply-rooted recipes, techniques, and history that each Chef has to offer as a reflection of their own culture, community, and inspirations.
Hosted by Storyhouse Spirits in San Diego’s East Village, the evening will also include a creative element courtesy of portraitist Brandon Hale of B. Hale Art, as well as Neyo soul and island vibes from Barbadian musician, Tamesha Moore. Meanwhile, one lucky guest can take home what might be the most coveted souvenir of the night: a single bottle of the limited-edition, Bad Boyz of Culinary exclusive 5+ years aged 100-proof bourbon — a special collaboration with StoryHouse Spirits, available for sale during the event. One bottle only, signed by the chefs. Will it be yours?
This event is a fundraiser for Bad Boyz of Culinary, in support of Rasonté Parsons. All proceeds from ticket sales and the purchase of the exclusive bourbon collaboration bottle will go directly to benefit Rasonté’s journey, with the goal of fully financing her travel costs to the United States from Barbados and all her assisted prosthetic devices, while also establishing a scholarship fund for future prosthetic and non-prosthetic culinary students so that they might also have the opportunity to follow their dreams.
Tickets for this intimate evening of world-class dining, artistry, and cultural storytelling are currently available. If you’re interested in donating directly to the incredible work Bad Boyz of Culinary is doing to help young African Americans enter and navigate the culinary landscape with the resources and positive mentorship they need, you can do so on their website.
