Dinner Series
Exploring Elements of the African Diaspora with Empowering the Diner and Manny Eats
We had a moment where a common thread brought InWine (Richmond) and Empowering the Diner (DC) together and told us we should do an event. InWine loved the mission of Empowering the Diner and wanted to have the right fit for a space and food or chef - then came Manny Baiden of Manny Eats and Penny’s in Jackson Ward. All of these are coming together under a concept of, “Exploring Elements of the African Diaspora”. Join us for exquisite food, wine (and non-alcoholic options!) and conversation.
Three courses
Three Pairings
Music by our friend, DJ Leto
A good time.
About Empowering the Diner
Empowering the Diner is a Black women-led food and beverage experience. Centered on collaboration and inclusion, we bring folx together to discuss, learn, and explore their palate and pathways towards seeking and claiming pleasure and knowledge in food and beverage related experiences.
We seek to dismantle colonizer-led perspectives and gatekeeping practices by challenging the status quo through creative, multi-faceted, and BIPOC-led educational and hospitable experiences that prioritize diner perspectives.
By changing how we access food and beverage education, hospitality, and experiences we make space for more folx who've been excluded by the discriminatory, racist, and sexist practices embedded in the industry from the guest to the worker.
Founder Erica Christian
Founder Erica Christian
An Innovative, creative, empathic, and community centered curator, Erica Christian's work lies in creating inclusive anti-colonial narratives to better increase access to food and beverage through empowerment. She gives expansive language to experiences that seem inaccessible. She communicates the stories and ethos of makers and distributors to connect with guests and advance their knowledge of wine, access, and our right to exploration through our palates. The purpose is to explore wine with flavors that not only align with our traditions, but transcend them to make place for who we are becoming in the food and beverage world we are re-building.
About Manny Eats
Born and raised in Ghana, chef Manny brings a diverse culinary background to the Richmond food scene with modern techniques and West African influences.
A graduate of James Madison university's hospitality program, Manny holds a bachelor of science in hospitality management. His travels and curiosity has inspired him to create a cuisine that knows no bounds; fresh, seasonal, sensory and boundless.
Chef Manny worked and interned with restaurants in and around the Harrisonburg community. He had the opportunity to learn about the history of wine through a rigorous course in Napa Valley, California, with the opportunity to visit and tour the 3-star Michelin restaurant, French Laundry. In 2016 he landed an internship in Hospitality Management at Keswick Hall and Golf Club in Charlottesville, VA, a Five Star Forbes rated establishment. He worked all departments in the front and back of house to thoroughly understand the operations of hospitality. Being the entrepreneur that he is, it was only right that he took all the knowledge he gained in the industry to pursue the private side of culinary arts.
Now in Richmond, VA, Chef Manny is one of the go-to private chefs for events and private dinning. He has made several appearances on CBS 6's Virginia this morning. Additionally, Chef Manny has worked with clients and partners such as The Martin Agency, Cangshan Cutlery, The Woodley, Escuminac, Ocean's Halo, Penny’s Wine Shop and more.
Accessibility and parking:
On-street parking is available in front of Penny’s on Brook Rd., as well as the surrounding blocks.
There is one accessible parking spot at the parking lot on the corner of Brook Rd and W. Clay Street.
Penny’s is wheel-chair accessible, including bathroom accomodations. There is also a mix of regular table height seating, as well as bar seating.
Please email info@inwinerva.com with any questions or accomodation requests.