Featured Chefs
RJ Smith – Chef & Owner, Ocho Supper Club
RJ Smith is a Philadelphia-based chef and senior at Drexel University, bringing together Afro-Caribbean heritage and seasonal creativity. As founder of Ocho Supper Club, he curates intimate dining experiences that celebrate culture and connection through multi-course tasting menus. Recognized for his innovative approach and collaborative events, RJ is making waves in Philadelphia’s dining scene.
Signature Dish: Heirloom Masa Cornbread with Mole Negro
Follow him: @ochosupper
Anjola – Private Chef & Founder, Joyful Return
Anjola is a Nigerian-American chef blending Nigerian and Italian cuisines into ingredient-driven, nostalgic dishes. Through her pop-up supper club Joyful Return, she creates spaces of connection, creativity, and care — bringing chefs, friends, and community together for Afro-diasporic dining experiences. Her food celebrates tradition and curiosity, crafting plates that comfort and linger like love.
Signature Dish: Banga seafood risotto, squid ink tuile, basil oil, micro greens
Follow her: @tabellanera
Ja’mir Cole – Executive Chef & Owner, Modern Trail Supper Club
With Michelin-star training and a passion for storytelling, Ja’mir Cole takes his career highlights and infuses them with seasonal, locally-driven ingredients. Through Modern Trail Supper Club, he hosts bi-monthly dinners in Philadelphia that gather community around a table of food and narrative. Each menu reflects both mastery and heart, leaving diners with lasting memories.
Signature Dish: Chicken liver mousse | financiers | spicy pear chow chow | chicken skin crumble
Follow him: @moderntrail_supperclub
Join us at Homecoming and experience these chefs’ stories on a plate
