OUR STORy
COMMUNION is a place where you feel seen. A place that feels like comfort, rest, relief, and peace. Our mission is to provide the food, the familiarity, and the intimacy that make you feel at home.
chef kristi brown, owner
“Everybody’s Gotta Eat!”
Chef Kristi Brown has spooned her way through the culinary industry for the past 28 years. Starting at a small café in downtown Seattle, Kristi has done just about everything from dishwasher/prep cook to running her own catering business for nearly a decade. From the beginning, her vision was to focus on the art and experience of food through culinary activism. A purpose powered by her mantra, “Everybody’s Gotta Eat!” Chef Kristi desires to build community through the cultivation of fresh food and fine cooking.
Proceeding the completion of the culinary program at Seattle Central College, Chef Kristi immersed herself in the culinary industry, procuring experiences at Plenty Cafe, Nordstrom Catering, Kingfish Café, and Tuxedo & Tennis Shoes Catering, where she built a solid foundation for growth. She then moved into leadership roles as opening Kitchen Manager at Café Starbucks and Head Chef at Zinnia Bistro.
Equipped with a wealth of experience and knowledge, Chef Kristi opened That Brown Girl Catering (TBGC) in 1999. TBGC operated as a full-service catering company; providing breakfast, lunch, and dinner for community events, corporate functions, non-profit meetings, and private parties. TBGC became synonymous with quality, bold flavors, and customer satisfaction. She nurtured a culture of healthy wholesome eating, while maintaining spice, and vivacity. After 10 years of operation, Chef Kristi sought to journey into disparate culinary avenues. This resulted in the closing of TBGC’s doors in 2009.Currently, Chef Kristi is lovingly referred to as Chef Goddess of That Brown Girl Cooks!, a food, culture, and community organization. Simply put, she calls it a “Culinary Collective.” TBGC! explores her inspirations, melds them with her experiences, and brings them back to the communities she serves. Debuting a variety of products, events, pop-ups, classes, and media presence, she hopes to engage and inspire community and connect people with a wholesome and nurturing lifestyle.
Damon Bomar, Owner, General Manager
My passion for the hospitality industry began at a young age. I was inspired by the Harlem Renaissance and the role restaurants played in the vitalization of African American culture. I am big on community, and I saw that in order for any community to form, you must have safe places to gather.
I began my journey in the hospitality industry working as a sweet potato peeler for local pie company, Mrs. Davis’ Pies. Although my mother employed me as well, she felt I needed to gain a sense of urgency, so she tasked me to work for another entrepreneur. From there, I’ve never looked back!
I studied Hospitality Management at Howard University. During that time, I secured my first restaurant job where I sought out the craft of the cocktail. Though I grew up working in the kitchen, I felt that bartending fed my creative spirit, while still allowing me to interact with people. I worked for various restaurant groups in Washington D.C., operating in positions from busboy to management. It was those experiences that enriched my entrepreneurial spirit. I continued working in D.C until 2015, when I decided it was time to bring my experiences back home.
In 2015 I returned home and, alongside my mother, Chef Kristi Brown, began building our family business, That Brown Girl Cooks! Since my arrival three years ago, we have grown the company to distribute at 20 retail outlets in Seattle, including Whole Foods, PCC and Central Co-op. We have also re-established ourselves as a full-service caterer.
“I was inspired by the Harlem Renaissance and the role restaurants played in the vitalization of African American culture.”
-Damon Bomar, Co-Owner, General Manager