Chef Amanda Mack vividly remembers assisting her grandmother in the kitchen as a young girl. Together, they would make everything from cakes and pies to biscuits and breads.

“She made everything from scratch,” Mack says. “It was that excitement of waiting for the yeast to rise and for it to come out of the oven that was so special—and the fact that she included me in every part of the process.”

The skills that Mack developed at a young age have now come full circle with Crust by Mack, her small-batch baking business that specializes in hand pie varieties like spiced pumpkin, mixed berry, brown butter strawberry basil, and cherry with a chocolate espresso drizzle.

“For me, it’s all about the crust” she says. “Ever since I was a child, my favorite food has been pizza because I’ve always loved anything that has to do with dough. That’s really how Crust started—from my love for butter and dough. It was just kind of a no-brainer.”

After nearly one year of focusing solely on pop-ups and deliveries, Mack is now ready to expand with a brick-and-mortar bakery that she is hoping to open by summer 2019.

Though she is still in the process of scouting locations, her hope is that the space will operate as a full-service bakery Monday through Wednesday—offering fresh-baked breads, toasts, croissants, seasonal small plates, and the signature hand pies—and then open its doors for community programming Thursday through Sunday.

“The bakery is built on entrepreneurial equity,” she says. “I wanted to create a business that not only fed my community, but helped fuel the community. I understand how difficult it is to excel in business if you don’t have have access to the simplest things like mentorship and advice.”

This week, Mack is launching a crowdfunding campaign using the platform iFundWomen with the goal of raising $30,000 to support the community mission. Rather than using the donations to get the bakery up and running, she wants to dedicate the funds to establishing workshops, mentoring initiatives, a speaker series on entrepreneurship, and a scholarship program for school-age children.

“Whether we hit our goal or not, the show is going to go on,” she explains. “This is just a way for people to rally around it and be involved in the process.”

The social justice focus is something that is deep-rooted for Mack. Though her grandmother’s influence made it seem that she was always destined to work in the hospitality industry, she initially began her career in marketing and communications.

She spent years fighting for food justice with urban farms and the B’More Healthy program at the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, and even penned a children’s book educating kids about food deserts titled Greens Don’t Grow in Cans.

“I grew up in the projects, and all of the supermarkets only sold canned fruits and vegetables,” she says. “It took until I got older for me realize, there’s more to life than this. I had to go out of my zip code to see all of the other stores, farmers’ markets, and community gardens.”

In 2016, she felt the need to get back in the kitchen and began working as a chef at Dovecote Cafe—the Reservoir Hill gem whose community values very much aligned with her own. But after a year and a half, Mack’s love of baking prompted her to start her own venture.

“I felt like baking was really my passion,” she says. “It’s so methodical that it became part of my self-care routine. You have to be so precise and systematic. It really takes you to a different place.”

The new bakery will be a fusion of all of Mack’s experiences, from fighting for food justice to working in the culinary world. Above all, she hopes that it can be a hub where people from all walks of life can come together to help one another.

“I have this general idea that community is larger than who is next to you,” she says. “It’s about creating a family. We want to have a place where food fuels people beyond the table.”

Chef Catina Smith spent a few years refining her skills in kitchens all over the city—working at spots like Guy Fieri’s Kitchen and Bar inside Horseshoe Casino and Dovecote Cafe in Reservoir Hill, where she served as the executive chef. But, even with an impressive resume, when she saw an opening at Magdalena inside Midtown’s posh Ivy Hotel, she was admittedly hesitant to apply.

“It took several times for me to even think that I could work there,” she says. “I was like, ‘Oh this is some fancy place. I don’t belong in that kind of establishment.’ And I’m sure a lot of black women think that we only belong in certain types of kitchens just because that’s what we see. I still can’t even name a black woman executive chef leading a fine-dining restaurant. So it makes you think, man, representation really does matter.”

Now an integral part of Magdalena’s culinary team, Smith has launched Just Call Me Chef, an entire movement geared toward empowering female, African-American chefs and providing opportunities for future generations to work in whatever kitchens they choose.

“I want to shatter that stereotype and show people that you don’t have to be a white male to work at a fine-dining establishment,” she says. “We’re just as capable. People always say, ‘Oh, a black woman cooked this.’ But why do I have to be differentiated? I’m a chef just as much as anyone else. So that’s why I was like oh, ‘Just call me chef.’”

As one of the first fundraising initiatives, Smith has teamed up with local photographer Daniel McGarrity to create a wall calendar showcasing portraits of a dozen female chefs and some of their signature recipes—which she hopes will serve as a daily reminder of racial and gender equality.

Slated for release in November, the calendar will benefit local nonprofits Black Girls Cook, which teaches city teens about the importance of sustainable food and nutrition, and She Chef, an organization working to spotlight diversity in the culinary industry.

Many of the women featured in the calendar—which includes Keme Jones-Evans of Soul Kuisine Cafe, Jasmine Norton of The Urban Oyster, Amanda Mack of Crust by Mack, and LaShauna Jones of The Sporty Dog Creations—are gathering for a fundraiser at Showroom inside Motor House in Station North this Wednesday, October 10. From 5-7 p.m., the bar is donating $1 of every drink sold to Just Call Me Chef.

“I know what that feeling is like when you’re passionate about something but you’re not able to get a chance because you’re a woman or you’re black or whatever judgment they want to pass on you,” says Jones of Sporty Dog. “That’s why this movement is so amazing. We’re all able to speak out about how women chefs are putting together meals and concepts that are just as big and bold as anybody else.”

Building a network, says Smith, has been one of the most rewarding parts of the project. She has particularly enjoyed seeing how all of the women support one another—whether that means showing up to each other’s pop-ups or helping out with catering gigs.

“It’s always been important to me to bring people together,” Smith says. “It’s nice to know, if I can’t do something, that I can turn it over to somebody in the group. We kind of make sure that we never say no to a job so that we can always keep the money in the family.”

In the future, Smith has big plans to facilitate workshops, organize chef-to-chef mentorship, and establish scholarship funds for aspiring chefs to be able to cook in any kitchen, no matter what type of cuisine it focuses on.

“Everyone is teachable,” she says. “We just have to break down that belief that we don’t belong in certain spaces. I feel like my calling isn’t necessarily to be an executive chef of some restaurant. I think my calling is this right here. Putting people together and helping them out.”

There aren’t many people who can tell you what Juneteenth is or why it’s a significant holiday to celebrate. June 19 is known as the black Independence Day that has been observed in African-American communities since 1886. The day is meant to commemorate the abolition of slavery in the U.S. and celebrate the advancements of the black community since emancipation.

“The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free,” read the general orders from the Union Army’s Maj. Gen. Gordon Grange on June 19, 1865. “This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor.”

The celebration’s roots go back to Galveston, Texas, where it was first celebrated on June 19, 1865 after the slaves there found out two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed that they were freed. It has evolved over the years to families and communities honoring the day with parades, local bands, fellowship, and food. The menu usually consists of red-colored items—red velvet cake, red soda, watermelon, and spicy hot links—with classics like fried chicken and black-eyed peas making an appearance. The crimson color is symbol of ingenuity and resilience in bondage.

But we don’t have to be in Texas to celebrate, so here are some events happening in the Baltimore area.

6/15: BFSA Juneteenth Celebration
The Johns Hopkins University Black Faculty and Staff Association (BFSA) is hosting an event that will feature speakers including Councilman Brandon Scott and Rev. Donte Hickman with performances by The Fresh Wind Choir of Southern Baptist Church, Keur Khaleyi African Dance Company, and storyteller Janice the Griot. There will also be activities for the whole family with face painting, magic shows, and games to commemorate the holiday. The Johns Hopkins University, Glass Pavilion, Levering Hall, 3400 N. Charles St.

6/16: Books & Breakfast – A Celebration of Juneteenth
The Oak Hill Center for Culture and Education is teaming up with the Baltimore Black Worker Center to commemorate the holiday by reflecting on the progress of African- American communities since the abolition of slavery. This free event will include breakfast and books, worker rights training, and an interactive timeline on the history of African-American work in the U.S. The Oak Hill Center for Culture and Education, 2239 Kirk Ave., 10 a.m.-12 p.m., Free

6/16: Annual Juneteenth Celebration
The Academy Art Museum in Talbot County is partnering with the Chesapeake Children’s Book Festival this year for their annual Juneteenth celebration. Gather for a day of spoken word, dance performances, face painting, and crafts to celebrate the holiday and the year of Frederick Douglass. Academy of Art Museum, 106 South Street, Easton, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Free.

6/16-6/17: Juneteenth Reservoir Hill Garden & Home Tour 2018
Celebrate with the Reservoir Hill community in their 24th annual Juneteenth affair. The neighborhood will come alive with music, historic games and storytelling, and carriage rides with the Arrabers. Participants will also be able to tour some of the historic homes and learn about the history of African Americans in the area. Dovecote Café, 2501 Madison Avenue, 12 p.m.–5 p.m., $15

6/19: Juneteenth Celebration at Port Discovery
It’s never too early to teach children about history. Take the family down to Port Discovery to learn about African-American quilting and its importance in passing messages along during slavery. Kids will get the chance to make their own quilts and play games that will help them identify historical black figures. Port Discovery Children’s Museum, 35 Market Place, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., $15.95

6/19: Juneteenth at Ida B’s Table
Food is a big part of celebrating Juneteenth and what better place to dig in than Ida B’s Table? The restaurant is hosting award-winning culinary author Toni Tipton Martin at their Juneteenth celebration. The evening will include song, fellowship, and, of course, a multi-course dinner of traditional Juneteenth dishes from chef Dave Thomas. Attendees will also receive a signed copy of Martins’ cookbook, The Jemima Code. Ida B’s Table, 235 Holliday Street, 7 p.m.-10 p.m., $125

Five things to eat, drink, see, hear, and do with your Charm City weekend.

 EAT

Oct. 28: Dovecote Café’s Two-Year Communiversary & Afrofuturistic Halloween Party

Dovecote Café, 2501 Madison Ave. 4-9 p.m. Free. 443-961-8677.

Nestled in the historically African-American neighborhood of Reservoir Hill, Dovecote Café has become known both locally and nationally (hello, recent Food & Wine feature!) for its mouthwatering baked goods, heavenly cups of coffee, and dedication to supporting the local community—especially Baltimore’s younger generation. This Saturday, the café is celebrating its second anniversary with an Afrofuturistic-themed Halloween party featuring Dovecote’s homemade eats, candy crafted by Glasshouse Goods, and live entertainment by local DJs Trillnatured and Butch Siggers. Don your best space-age apparel and be one of the first 100 attendants to receive a special thank you gift.

 DRINK

Oct. 27-29: Greek Food, Wine, & Culture Festival

Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation, 24 W. Preston St. Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Sun. 12-6 p.m. Free-$10. 410-727-1831.

Forty-six years ago, the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation launched a festival to celebrate their community’s Grecian heritage and the greater city of Baltimore. Since then, the party has evolved into an annual go-to event, headlining all things Greek—from traditional food and drink to live music and dances—and this year, the historical church is mixing things up with new attractions. Sip your way through the “Wines of Greece,” a vino-tasting program for those who want to experience the Greek isle’s more than 6,000 years of winemaking history. For $10, sample five Greek wines along with an assortment of Greek cheeses, olives, and other snacks that will have you yelling Opa! in no time.

 SEE

Oct. 28: The Great Halloween Lantern Parade

Patterson Park, Eastern & Linwood Aves. Festival: 3:30 p.m.; Parade: 7 p.m.; After party: 9:30 p.m. Free. 410-276-1651.

Every Halloween weekend, the hills of Patterson Park transform into a chilling spectacle as it becomes illuminated by a procession of spooky lights. But fear not: the glowing objects aren’t ghosts or ghouls but rather the little homemade lanterns of the Great Halloween Lantern Parade. For the 16th year, join or ogle the eclectic caravan as local puppeteers, marching bands, and costumed families and friends weave their way through Highlandtown carrying artist-made floats and glowing lanterns in celebration of All Hallow’s Eve. Before the dark creeps in, swing by the park for a pre-parade festival where you can imbibe in a beer garden and feast on food truck favorites as your kids compete in a costume contest and hitch a hayride. After you’ve passed the finish line, hop over to the Creative Alliance for a festive Glow Ball dance party to keep the supernatural festivities going.

 HEAR

Oct. 28: Believe in Music & Maryland Science Center’s Halloween

Maryland Science Center, 601 Light St. 8 p.m.-1 a.m. $35-70. 410-685-2370.

Leave trick-or-treating to the kiddos—this all-night music and dance party is for adults only. Now in its sixth year, the Maryland Science Center’s Halloween bash boasts lots of live, local music across several stages with a costume contest and access to all of the center’s exhibitions. Whether you’re dressed as a witch, wizard, or mummy, “Thriller” the night away to an impressive lineup. On the main stage, boogie down to the James Brown Dance Party, plus the funky Litz and the feel-good Electric Love Machine. On the rooftop, bump hips with Baltimore’s best DJs, featuring James Nasty on the ones and twos, and Rob Macy of Save Your Soul, and at the Charm City Bluegrass tribute stage, get down to the tunes of the Allman Brothers and Rolling Stones. We’re personally most excited about the Friends Records stage, where you can celebrate the local indie label with its top talents, like the bombastic Bond St. District, the sultry Blacksage, the fearless Hexgirlfriends, and the highly-anticipated Celebration-Aborteum collab, Rolled Gold. If monster mashing isn’t your thing, watch the IMAX 3D movie Wild Ocean with a live soundtrack of spooky synths and eerie bass lines by Deltanine and Pristine. Best of all, proceeds benefit Believe in Music’s non-profit education programs. 

 DO

Oct. 28: Star Wars Cosmic Cantina Party

Showroom, The Motor House, 120 W. North Ave. 6 p.m.-1 a.m. 410-637-8300.

If you missed the Game of Thrones pop-up bar in D.C. this summer, don’t fret. This Halloweekend, a Star Wars-themed party is coming to a galaxy near you at the brand-new Showroom café and bar at the Motor House in Station North. Grab your lightsabers and show up in your finest Darth Vader or Princess Leia. Channel the force as you dance to electro-grooves and funky beats by DJs Isabejja and Alexander Jorman, plus a special performance by local R&B queen Cas Mackenzie. Don’t miss out on the spacey drinks either—for one night only, Showroom’s bartender is making Luke’s Lightsaber (spicy margarita with Epsolon Tequila, orange liqueur, lime, agave, and habanero shrub), The Dark Side (vodka, grapefruit, fennel, activated charcoal, and soda water), and Ewok Party (whiskey, allspice, lemon, and bitters). 

Five things to eat, drink, see, hear, and do with your Charm City weekend.

 EAT

Sept. 9-10: Baltimore Ukrainian Festival

St. Michael Ukrainian Catholic Church, 2401 Eastern Ave. 12-6 p.m. Free.

Baltimore is the home to one of the Mid-Atlantic’s largest Ukrainian community, and this weekend, there will be a celebration of that rich Eastern European heritage during this 42nd annual festival near Patterson Park. For two days, celebrate beneath the golden domes of the St. Michael church, with live music, folk dancing, arts and crafts, a Ukrainian beer garden, and a hefty dose of traditional cuisine, such as kielbasa, latkes, borscht soup, homemade breads, and, of course, sweet and savory pierogis. On Saturday, even watch in awe or test yourself during the much-loved, highly competitive pierogi-eating contest. 

 DRINK

Sept. 9: Mommies & Mimosas

Dovecote Cafe, 2501 Madison Ave. 12-4 p.m. $35.

When you become a new mom, it can be hard to get out and socialize, let alone find time to eat a warm meal. But this Saturday, thanks to the Mommy Up meet-up and Best of Baltimore-winner Dovecote Cafe, local mothers can gather together for a three-course brunch featuring fellow inspiring women. Over Dovecote’s home-cooked fare and a few rounds of much-needed fresh mimosas, you can network and talk about the joys and challenges of motherhood. Bring your babes or come solo, but biggest of all, sit back, relax, and soak up some you time.  

 SEE

Sept. 8-10: Little Italy Madonnari Arts Festival

Little Italy. Fri. 5-10 p.m., Sat.-Sun. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Free.

Madonnari art is an age-old practice of street painting, still found commonly along the cobblestones of Italy and, for one weekend, alongside the byways of Baltimore’s Little Italy. This weekend, watch master Madonnari artists from around the world—and right here at home—set up shop in the heart of the Italian neighborhood, where they’ll create beautiful works of chalk art on the city streets. With a sunny forecast, things look brighter than last year’s rainy weather. Stroll the streets to listen to live music, indulge in carbs at neighborhoods enotecas, and kick things off early during a cabaret dinner on Thursday at Germano’s Piattini.

 HEAR

Sept. 8: Underground Dance Party

The Ottobar, 2549 N. Howard St. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. $6.

This month marks the 20th anniversary of Baltimore’s beloved Ottobar (see our September issue, on stands now, for more), and to ring in the two decades, the Remington rock club has brought back some of its old favorites. J. Roddy Walston recently performed a few rabblerousing sets, and later this month, Candy Machine and Roads to Space Travel will be perfomring a throwback combo, as both bands performed during the Ottobar’s first month downtown on Davis Street in September 1997. This weekend, the venue is also reviving its “Underground” dance party, featuring classic Brit-pop, indie, and new wave anthems on the ones and twos all night. Think James, Blur, Oasis, Daft Punk, Depeche Mode—with drink specials to boot. A regular favorite for the last 10 years, this former monthly ritual is sure to pack the house. We only have one request: “Age of Consent” by New Order. 

 DO

Sept. 9: Hampdenfest

The Avenue, W. 36th St. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Free. 

There are few neighborhoods in the city more quintessentially-quirky Baltimore than that of Hampden. On Saturday, head north and celebrate the hons and Hampdenites of its eclectic avenue with an end-of-summer block party, full of fun for the whole family. As you wander 36th Street, dig into eats from local restaurants, including slices by Paulie Gee’s, shucks by The Local Oyster, scoops from The Charmery, and a pie-eating contest with Dangerously Delicious, and sip on local beer, including the special Brewer’s Art/Union Craft Hampdenfest collab, Hampden On Rye. With three stages for live music, you can catch more than 20 homegrown bands, such as Snakes, Wume, Raindeer, and the inimitable headliner, Bond St. District. Just don’t miss the annual toilet bowl races, as porcelain flies past the colorful rowhomes of Chestnut Avenue.

COMING SOON

Gordon Ramsay Steak: Judging by the way that celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay whips contestants into shape on Fox’s Hell’s Kitchen and Master Chef, we can only expect that this steakhouse coming to Horseshoe Casino will be top-notch. The spot—which will take over the space that formerly housed Jack Binion’s on the first floor—will mark Ramsay’s first East Coast concept when it opens later this year. Guests can expect to see a plethora of dry-aged beef and seafood dishes with nods to Ramsay’s British roots. The chef joins other television personalities Guy Fieri, Aaron Sanchez, and John Besh, who also operate restaurant concepts at the casino. 1525 Russell St., 443-931-4386

Jazz + Soju: As its name signifies, the latest tenant to sign on to lease space inside the $100 million Anthem House apartment complex in Locust Point will focus on live jazz music and a selection of soju—a Korean iteration of vodka. The restaurant, whose menu will also feature twice-dipped Korean fried chicken wings, will join craft beer and coffee concept Amber in the development when it debuts later this year. 900 E. Fort Ave.

OPEN

Sir Duke Bar & Liquor Store: By now you’ve probably noticed the overhead sign hung outside of this new bar while coasting down Aliceanna Street in Fells Point. The Stevie Wonder tribute from owner Bryan Burkert—who also operates The Sound Garden and The Rockwell in the neighborhood—officially opened its doors in the former home of The Get Down earlier this week. Swing by to check out walls boasting local artwork while digging into pub fare like wings, soft pretzels with beer cheese, street tacos, and flatbread pizzas. The bar also has its own adjoining liquor store, and will highlight craft cocktails, local beer, boozy milkshakes, and huckleberry lemonade on tap. 701 S. Bond St., 410-522-1103

CH-CH CHANGES

Clavel: Co-owners Lane Harlan and Carlos Raba announced last week that they would soon be expanding this Remington hotspot to include a cevicheria and dance floor. The team has acquired a next-door garage space that they plan to convert with a cold bar for seafood prep, and a flexible floor plan that can open up to allow salsa and bolero dancing in the evenings. In other Clavel news, the owners also plan to unveil an outdoor beer garden in nearby Old Goucher next year, complete with a natural wine bar, beer, and cocktails. 225 W. 23rd St., 443-900-8983

Dovecote Cafe: In an attempt to bolster their place in the community, the owners of this Reservoir Hill haven have launched a crowdfunding campaign to buy their building on Madison Avenue. “Now we have a chance to give our little piece of magic a permanent home,” the Indiegogo page reads. “Our landlords have agreed to sell us our building. That means we’d not only have the ability to build out a dope patio in the side yard to support arts throughout the summer, but it also gives us five apartments that help create affordable housing in our city.” Dovecote set a goal of raising $30,000 in 30 days. As of Thursday (Day 10 of the campaign), the page racked up more than $29,000 from nearly 350 backers—who will receive everything from virtual high-fives to exclusive private dinners. It looks like the mighty mainstay is going to get its wish, and we couldn’t be happier. 2501 Madison Ave., 443-961-8677

Jack’s Bistro: This Canton staple is set to close later this summer, but regulars can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that this isn’t the end for the restaurant’s famous chocolate macaroni and cheese. Executive chef/owner Ted Stelzenmuller has decided to close Jack’s in order to open a new concept around the corner called Blair’s on Hudson. The new spot will feature an approachable menu listing a few of Jack’s classics, as well as plenty of new burgers and noodle dishes. Stelzenmuller expects the transition to occur by the end of August. 3123 Elliot St., 410-878-6542

Jimmy’s Restaurant: A sleek black awning now towers over the entrance of this Fells Point institution, which recently underwent a major makeover under new ownership. Earlier this year, second-generation owner Nick Filipedis passed the torch to local restauranteur Rudy Keskin, who has since revamped the space with new furniture imported from Turkey, a full wine bar, and outdoor patio seating. While the menu still highlights Jimmy’s famous breakfast and lunch fare, Keskin has added dinner dishes including kebabs, lamb chops, pastas, and ribeye. The changes were unveiled at an official re-opening party earlier this week. 801 S. Broadway, 410-327-3273

EPICUREAN EVENTS

7/14: Bastille Day Celebrations
The city’s European restaurants are gearing up to celebrate Bastille Day (the French equivalent of the Fourth of July) with tons of food specials, wine pairings, and traditional pastries. At downtown’s Lord Baltimore Hotel, enjoy a three-course prix-fixe menu at The French Kitchen before taking the party up to the LB Skybar for a Marie Antoinette-style cake-cutting and champagne toast. In Roland Park, Petit Louis Bistro will be hosting a special outdoor happy hour from 4-6 p.m. with complimentary passed hors d’oeuvres, appertifs, and champagne. The soiree will also feature live music, free berets for guests, and festive t-shirts for sale for $5. 20 W. Baltimore St., 855-539-1928 and 4800 Roland Ave., 410-366-9393

7/14: Jumbo Gumbo
The boys behind The Local Oyster are coming together to give diners a taste of The Big Easy by way of Hampden this weekend. Swing by Union Craft Brewing’s taproom to snack on gumbo and crawdaddies, slurp down oysters, and indulge in special desserts from Hampden neighbors The Charmery and Center Cut Doughnuts. All the while, get down to the horn-heavy sounds of Rufus Roundtree and The B’More Brass Factory. The party will act as a teaser for The Local Oyster’s upcoming spinoff restaurant Second Line, which is slated to debut in Remington next year. 1700 Union Ave., 5 p.m.- 12 a.m., 410-467-0290

7/19: One Fell Swoop
Cambridge-based RAR Brewing is giving back to the Fells Point community the best way it knows how—by brewing a new beer. One Fell Swoop, RAR’s new American wheat beer made exclusively for Fells Point bars, will launch at an official release party at the Sagamore Pendry Hotel next week. A portion of all ticket proceeds (and beer sales throughout October) will directly benefit Fells Point Main Street. The celebration on the Pendry’s picturesque pool deck will feature light bites, and, of course, bottomless pints of One Fell Swoop in take-home glasses. The beer will hit taps at multiple neighborhood bars—including Max’s Taphouse, Dogwatch Tavern, The Admiral’s Cup, The Point in Fells, and Red Star Bar & Grille—on July 20. Sagamore Pendry Baltimore, 1715 Thames St., 7-9 p.m., $50-55

7/29: Eat+Shop+Vegan
Later this month, the area’s top vegan vendors are coming together to host this free market at Impact Hub Baltimore. From 1-5 p.m., shop everything from dairy-free doughnuts to organic oils and bath products. Among the featured goodies will include blends from Brewing Good Coffee Company, Boochleggers kombucha, catered snacks from Nourrie Cuisine, and non-dairy sweets by Charm School Chocolate. 10 E. North Ave., 443-821-7482

SHUT

Mare Nostrum: Fells Point locals will need to find a new spot for authentic Turkish cuisine. According to The Sun, Mare Nostrum shuttered its doors on Broadway Square earlier this week. The restaurant’s phone line has since been disconnected, and the reasons behind the closure are still unclear. The spot was best known for its beautiful blue and white decor, delicious Mediterranean plates, and frequent flamenco shows. 716 S. Broadway, 410-327-6173

Park Cafe: The Bolton Hill community took a hit last week, as owner David Hart announced that he would be closing this beloved coffee shop on McMechen Street. “Our decision has not come easily,” he posted to Facebook. “Over the last several months our priorities have shifted and we feel it is best to leave while on top of our game. We are proud of what we accomplished and we are very grateful for each and every customer who has visited Park over the past two and a half years.” Hart went on to mention that he is currently seeking a buyer to take over the cafe, which was best known for its pour-over coffees, pastries, sandwiches, and house-baked goods. 132 McMechen St.

“Innovation isn’t only among the famous,” Light City steering committee chair Jamie McDonald said during her opening remarks at FoodLab, which was held at the Columbus Center on Saturday, April 8. “It happens in Baltimore neighborhoods every day.”

The last in a string of conferences held in conjunction with the weeklong light festival highlighted many moving presentations by visiting speakers, but perhaps some of the most compelling conversations were sparked by leaders from right in our backyard, who continue to use food as a tool for unification.

A panel discussion moderated by Dooby’s owner Phil Han brought together Dovecote Cafe co-owner Aisha Pew, Taharka Bros. founder Sean Smeeton, and Terra’s Kitchen CEO Mike McDevitt to share their perspectives on using a food business to make a greater impact on the community.

Pew, who opened the 630-square-foot cafe in Reservoir Hill last year, addressed the necessity of reviving the neighborhood—one of the city’s designated food deserts that lack access to quality grocery stores and dining establishments.

“My partner and I have a fear that Baltimore is on the precipice of becoming Brooklyn or Oakland,” said Pew, a Brooklyn native herself. “What we’re really focused on is how to have a different conversation around gentrification by uniting the community.”

In an effort to redefine the neighborhood, Pew has used the cafe as an outlet to spearhead initiatives like a free pop-up produce stand, baking groups for kids, and events that celebrate the local arts and culinary scenes.

Looking ahead, Pew is hoping to convert one of the neighborhood’s vacant liquor stores into a space that combines a traditional sit-down restaurant with a general store selling spices and produce. A public hearing for the project is scheduled for April 25.

“What makes a neighborhood seem dangerous is when you don’t know who you reside next to,” she said. “So what we did to turn that on its head during our first month in business was we just gave away free coffee. We sat and had conversations and got to know people, and truly allowed them to get to know us.”

Yet another example of a small business making an outspread impact is Taharka Bros., the Hampden-based ice cream purveyor that uses its product as a conversation starter.

“We’re in the business of social change, and ice cream is just our vehicle,” Smeeton said, mentioning its signature flavors that oftentimes have a deeper meaning. (A variety inspired by D. Watkins’ memoir The Cook Up that was released last summer fuses ingredients like apples as a nod to knowledge and education, and pecans to represent planting seeds of self-discovery.)

Taharka—which originated as a nonprofit organization in 2010 and eventually transformed into a for-profit business—provides opportunities for the city’s youth by employing a staff comprised of young adults.

“These young guys are victims of society,” Smeeton says. “We wanted to use the company to make a change so that that they don’t have these problems.”

Though local meal prep service Terra’s Kitchen is mostly web-based, McDevitt says that he doesn’t let that become a barrier in making face-to-face connections. The company—which is headquartered in Canton—continues to partner with local growers and businesses like Tessemae’s and Ceremony Coffee Roasters to raise a general awareness of made-in-Baltimore products.

“This city has a strong desire to become something great,” says McDevitt, who moved to Baltimore from New York City in 2002. “It gave me so much, and I owe it back ten-fold.”

Andrea Boston and Nia Johnson seem like they’ve been friends forever, but it wasn’t until 2014 that the former high school classmates reconnected and got to know each other.

Both involved in the arts, they sought an open creative space where artists could break out of their inner circles. “One day we were talking and said, ‘Hey, wouldn’t it be cool if we put together an event that brought Baltimore’s creative community together?’” says Johnson.

In September 2015, they founded SunSets, a monthly meet up modeled after the salon gatherings of the Harlem Renaissance. Each pop-up event has a different theme and features guests that range from photographers to farmers, including Jenné Afiya of arts collective Balti Gurls, local author D. Watkins, and former NFL player (and painter) Aaron Maybin.

Hopping between private homes and innovative venues such as Dovecote Cafe and Impact Hub, the meet up’s goal is to create a relaxed environment based on artistic exchange and expression, where local creatives can connect and collaborate alongside live music, a variety of vendors, and—always a good incentive—free wine. Their next event will be held at the Maryland Institute College of Art on December 9.

Despite the fun atmosphere, SunSets also encourages serious social discussion.

“We try to have themes that are conscious contrasts to what’s going on in the world, as we are all processing a lot of pain [in light of recent events],” says Johnson. “We try to always provide light.”

When you meander into the charming Dovecote Cafe in historic Reservoir Hill, take a seat on a tufted sofa, behold the black-and-white “Harlem toile” wallpaper and the array of baked goods under bell jars, and soak in the warm and wonderful vibe of a spot that gets the cafe concept just right.

But if you want to look like a regular, know before you go, there’s nary a printed menu here. “We like to talk to our customers,” said co-owner Aisha Pew, as she rattles off the daily roster. Indeed, Dovecote (a birdhouse for pigeons, as well as “a settled or harmonious group,” according to Merriam-Webster) is that rare bird of a cafe that’s all about engagement. It’s a modern-day take on the 17th-century salon that serves as a sort of intellectual hub for the community—a place where locals go to work on their laptops, that hosts an “Artists Shouldn’t Starve” series, and invites small-batch chefs to use its kitchen to cook for the community.

Pew, along with her mom, Gilda, and partner, Cole, run the cafe, which offers some savory specialties but puts the emphasis on sweet—with everything sourced straight from the heart. We especially loved the tall-as-a-turban sticky bun ($3.50) swirled with maple syrup, loaded with cinnamon, sugar, and pecans. The airy peach upside-down cake ($4)—so moist and light it practically levitated off the square serving plate—was also a culinary wonder. “My mom’s peach upside-down cake will turn your world upside down,” promised Pew—and it did. Also on hand were assorted muffins, including a fluffy corn muffin infused with marmalade ($3.30) and a blueberry muffin ($2.50) densely packed with fruit and encrusted with fat sugar crystals. On the savory side, we ordered spinach pie ($5.66). The quiche-like caramelized onion filling was dense with spinach and the thin crust stayed sturdy (the downfall of many an egg-crust combo) to the last crumb.

Beverages include several brews of small-batch coffee that represent a personal travelogue for the trio. (Brewklyn Grind Coffee Roasters from Brooklyn, where Aisha was born; Red Bay Coffee Roasters from Oakland, CA, where Aisha, Cole, and Gilda last lived; and Café Los Sueños from D.C., where Cole was born.) In addition, there are house-made brews named after the cafe’s mascot doves. Whatever you order, you’ll feel the love when you flock here.

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›› Dovecote Cafe: 2501 Madison Ave. 443-961-8677. Hours: Mon.-Fri. 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Sat.-Sun. 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Pricing: Baked goods: $2.50-5; savory specials: $5-8; beverages: $1.70-3.75.