David and Tonya Thomas

David Thomas was born in Baltimore and raised in Jamaica, Queens, New York.{{Cite web |last=Olutosin |first=Dadisi |date=2019-04-15 |title=David Thomas |url=https://www.cuisinenoirmag.com/strong-chef-series-ida-b-table-david-thomas/ |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date=2019-11-10 |website=Cuisine Noir Magazine |language=en-US}} His grandmother is Blackfoot{{Cite web |last=Wolfson |first=Staci |date=2018-02-02 |title=Chef David Thomas Is Not Here to 'Elevate' Soul Food |url=https://www.eater.com/2018/2/2/16959758/ida-bs-table-baltimore-david-thomas-interview |access-date=2019-11-11 |website=Eater |language=en}} and Thomas spent weekends at her 13-acre farm in Howard County, Maryland.{{Cite web |last=Izon |first=Juliet |date=July 2018 |title=Study Soul Food at Ida B's Table |url=https://www.fsrmagazine.com/fsr/chef-profiles/study-soul-food-ida-b-s-table |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date=2019-11-11 |website=FSR Magazine |language=en}}

The Thomases opened Ida B.'s Table in 2017, naming it for activist and journalist Ida B. Wells, in a building that also houses The Real News Network,{{Cite web |last=Lagera |first=Leandro |date=February 12, 2018 |title=Chef David Thomas of Ida B's Table talks homage versus cultural appropriation and more |url=http://baltimorebeat.com/2018/02/12/chef-david-thomas-ida-bs-table-talks-homage-versus-cultural-appropriation/ |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date=November 10, 2019 |website=Baltimore Beat}}{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=September 7, 2017 |title=The Philosophy behind Ida B's Table |url=https://foodservicemonthly.com/the-philosophy-behind-ida-bs-table/ |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date=2019-11-11 |website=Foodservice Monthly}} a non-profit that is an investor in the restaurant. The couple had originally planned a "reinvented, elevated" soul food restaurant, but after meeting with Jessica B. Harris, who asked them, "What makes you think soul food needs to be reinvented or elevated?", they refocussed on a concept of "African-American cuisine informed by its history." The restaurant is in downtown Baltimore on Holliday Street.{{Cite web |last=Zumer |first=Bryna |date=2018-11-21 |title=Baltimore chef wins "Chopped" cooking show |url=https://foxbaltimore.com/news/local/baltimore-chef-wins-chopped-cooking-show |access-date=2019-11-11 |website=WBFF}} In early 2020 they left the restaurant.{{Cite web |last=Tkacik |first=Christina |date=29 April 2020 |title=Chef David Thomas leaves Baltimore's modern soul food staple Ida B's Table |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/food-drink/bs-fo-david-thomas-20200429-z73nfgrvmfcspfcauix4gxfkwe-story.html |access-date=2022-05-17 |website=Baltimore Sun |language=en}}

Previously they owned Herb & Soul, a farm-to-table restaurant in the Parkville neighborhood of Baltimore.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=July 16, 2014 |title=Herb & Soul: A Culinary Triple Threat |url=https://foodservicemonthly.com/herb-soul-a-culinary-triple-threat/ |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date=2019-11-11 |website=Foodservice Monthly}}

In 2017 the couple were featured in an episode of Heritage Radio Network's A Hungry Society.{{Cite web |title=A Hungry Society {{!}} Episode 13: Tonya and David Thomas of Ida B.'s Table |url=https://heritageradionetwork.org/podcast/tonya-and-david-thomas-of-ida-b-s-table/ |access-date=2019-11-11 |website=Heritage Radio Network |language=en-US}} In 2018 David Thomas was featured at the James Beard Foundation's Juneteenth event.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date= |title=David Thomas |url=https://www.jamesbeard.org/chef/david-thomas |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date=2019-11-11 |website=James Beard Foundation |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Hellerbach |first=Miki |date=2023-06-19 |title=On and beyond Juneteenth, H3irloom Food Group uses history to elevate flavor |url=https://www.wypr.org/wypr-news/2023-06-19/on-and-beyond-juneteenth-h3irloom-food-group-uses-history-to-elevate-flavor |access-date=2024-05-18 |website=WYPR |language=en}}

In November of 2018 David Thomas won a Thanksgiving-themed episode of Chopped.{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=John-John |date=November 21, 2018 |title=Ida B's Table chef wins Food Network's 'Chopped' |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/food-drink/bs-fe-david-thomas-chopped-20181120-story.html |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date=2019-11-11 |website=Baltimore Sun}}{{Cite web |last=Marion |first=Jane |date=2019-02-05 |title=Chefs Dave Thomas and Johntay Bedingfield Chat About Winning Chopped |url=https://www.baltimoremagazine.com/section/fooddrink/chefs-dave-thomas-johntay-bedingfield-winning-chopped |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date=2019-11-11 |website=Baltimore |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=John-John |date= |title=Ida B's Table chef to appear on Food Network's 'Chopped' Tuesday |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/bs-fo-david-thomas-chopped-20181115-story.html |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date=2019-11-11 |website=Chicago Tribune}} He prepared a butternut squash soup macaroni-and-cheese with spinach and liver, turkey breast with spoonbread, cracklings, and gravy, and a spoonbread pie with cranberry-and-port whipped cream. In February of 2020 Thomas won a "Champs Challenge" series, competing with 15 other chefs.{{Cite web |date=2020-02-19 |title=Alum finishes third among 'Chopped' champions |url=https://pctoday.pct.edu/alum-finishes-third-among-chopped-champions/ |access-date=2020-04-26 |website=PCToday |language=en-US}}

In November of 2022 the couple opened H3eirloom Food Group, initially focussing on catering.{{Cite web |last=Yeager |first=Amanda |date=17 November 2020 |title=David and Tonya Thomas, formerly of Ida B's Table, launch H3irloom Food Group |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/news/2020/11/17/david-tonya-thomas-launch-h3irloom-food-group.html |access-date=2022-05-17 |website=Baltimore Business Journal}} The couple produces a recurring dinner series.{{Cite web |last=John-John |first=Williams |date=2023-11-10 |title=Baltimore's Black supper clubs lead the charge in welcoming, innovative dining |url=https://www.thebaltimorebanner.com/culture/food-drink/black-supper-clubs-dinners-baltimore-JJMJ6KLEQRDMTGHIJ6EYAP2H7Y/ |access-date=2024-05-18 |website=The Baltimore Banner |language=en}}

The Thomases work with the American Institute of Wine and Food's Days of Taste program, which brings chefs into elementary schools.{{Cite web |last=Good |first=Robin White |date=2015-06-09 |title=Chef Works with Food Discovery Program to Educate School Kids |url=https://www.blackenterprise.com/chef-works-with-food-discovery-program-to-educate-school-kids/ |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date=2019-11-11 |website=Black Enterprise |language=en-US}}

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Category:American chefs

Category:Chefs from Maryland