InTucker Magazine

Citizen of the Month – Chef Simone Byron

We are honored to nominate Chef Simone Byron, a hospitality entrepreneur, educator, and community leader whose influence reaches far beyond the kitchen. Her story is rooted in a remarkable legacy, her great grandfather was the Bronx’s first African American caterer and Head Chef for Marcus Garvey’s Black Star Line, and her parents instilled in her a lifelong commitment to education, equity, and service. Today, we see Chef Byron carrying that legacy forward with purpose, innovation, and an unwavering belief in the potential of young people.

A graduate of the Art Institute of Atlanta with a degree in Culinary Arts Management, she expanded her expertise through international culinary programs in Italy and Switzerland. Her early career included transformative years with the Disney Corporation and rapid advancement within Compass Group, where she became the youngest Chef Manager of the Year with Eurest Dining. Yet her greatest calling emerged when she stepped into the classroom as a high school culinary arts educator. There, she recognized a critical need: real pathways to real careers for students who often lacked access to opportunity.

In response, she founded the Navigate Foundation, a groundbreaking workforce development model that provides hands on culinary training, industry certifications, financial literacy, and professional development. Backed by Compass Group North America, Navigate now serves students across Atlanta, Charlotte, Union City (NJ), and Chicago, graduating more than 500 young people into meaningful careers. We continue to be inspired by her ability to envision what is possible for students— especially those who have never been shown how far their talents can take them.

Chef Byron expanded her impact with the creation of C.H.E.F. Academy in Tucker, Georgia, a vibrant community culinary space offering youth camps, student training, pop up events, and operational support for local businesses. Through Byron Hospitality Consulting, she designs curriculum and continuing education programs for school districts across Georgia and North Carolina, while also supporting restaurants with menu development, costing, and operational strategy. Her recent partnership with Discover DeKalb brought more than 200 students together for a hospitality youth conference, further cementing her role as a regional leader in workforce development. She also leads Dishful Thinking, a boutique catering company known for its creativity and personalized approach.

To meet Chef Byron is to love her. Her passion is infectious, her leadership transformative, and her commitment to community unmatched. She has elevated countless spaces—schools, kitchens, businesses, and neighborhoods— by building pipelines of talent and creating opportunities where none existed before. Her influence extends into her home as well; the accomplishments of her son reflect the same strength, vision, and excellence she pours into her community.

Nominated by Adeola Sokunbi and Aisha Stith