Lexis Gonzalez & Dr. Sharon Gonzalez

Lady Lexis Sweets

Chef Lexis Gonzalez & Dr Sharon Gonzalez are the mother and daughter duo of Lady Lexis Sweets. Chef Lexis was born and bread in Harlem and is the pastry chef genius incharge of creating scrumptious desserts at Lady Lexis Sweets. Chef Lexis began her culinary career selling cookies from a card table in front of the building she lived in. The card table turned into a mobile cart that she built herself and the mobile cart turned into a storefront.

Lexis went to her mother, Sharon with the idea of creating a sweet shop and having her mother share some of her own southern recipes. The two of them began creating the menu and the concept; and finally the dream became a reality and Lady Lexis Sweets was created. Four years later visitors can come to Lady Lexis Sweets to find that there is always something different being created.

Lady Lexis Sweets features Charleston Recipes created by Dr. Sharon Gonzalez such as their famous Charleston Bread Pudding with Whiskey Soaked Raisin, Banana Pudding and Peach Cobbler. Chef Lexis Gonzalez does amazing cookie creation such as Chocolate Coconut, Rum Raisin Oatmeal and their famous Oatmeal Creme Pie.

Along with making great creation Lady Lexis Sweets host Baking & Decorating class. Now the mother and daughter team spends their days making delicious creation and their nights teaching others how to do the same.

Jelena Pasic

Harlem Shake

Harlem Shake is the award-winning and critically-acclaimed fast-casual restaurant featuring a menu made for both simple and sophisticated tastes.  Our flagship restaurant opened in May 2013 in the heart of Central Harlem.   In Sept, 2016, we opened our second location, in East Harlem (proudly recognized as “El Barrio").  

Harlem Shake proudly celebrates the old and new Harlem culture through our interior design, community-member staffing and commitment to community driven events and programs.

Jessica Spaulding

Harlem Chocolate Factory

My name is Jessica, life-long Harlem resident and chocolate lover. I grew up in an anti-sugar home but there was one exception to this rule, CHOCOLATE, and not just any chocolate high-quality dark chocolate.  My mother knew the higher the quality of the chocolate the lower the sugar and better the flavor. I became obsessed. We'd attend the chocolate show every year and I learned about chocolate from around the world.

I tempered my first batch of chocolate at 10 years old. But, growing up in Harlem being a chocolatier wasn't a supported career path. The short story version is I don't believe in giving up.  In High School I participated in a program called Expanding the Walls at the Studio Museum of Harlem where we learned photography through the lens of the famed Harlem Renaissance photographer James VanDerZee. It was during this time I learned the true legacy and history of Harlem and fell in love.

The class, culture and elegance of Harlem was, and still is, so beautiful to me. Years later and here I am finally ready to step out and do what was always in my heart.

Carlos Swepson

BLVD Bistro

Born in Natchez Mississippi and raised in Englewood, NJ, Executive Chef Carlos Swepson’s love and passion for cooking was ignited at an early age.  His style of cooking developed out of his vast culture, and became a fusion between Creole Southern cuisine and traditional American flare.

Chef Carlos has expertise and a love of the restaurant industry that spans for more than 20 years.  After graduating from The Art Institute of NYC in 2003 with a degree in Culinary Arts and restaurant Management, Chef Carlos had the pleasure of working under the tutelage of Executive Chef Jean George Vongerichtem at JoJo Restaurant of New York City.

In 2004, Chef Carlos began working at famed Irish boutique hotel, the Fitzpatrick Manhattan.  During his seven year tenure there he quickly moved up the ranks from Line Cook to Sous Chef, and then finally Executive Chef.

Then in 2012, Carlos continued to challenge himself and soon accepted a position at the posh members-only club the Soho House in New York City’s popular meat packing district. That same year he launched his private event catering company.

Two years later Chef Carlos Swepson followed his ultimate dream, and became the owner and Executive Chef of Blvd Bistro in a revived historical section of Harlem, NY.  His dynamic Southern-inspired menu features his personal family favorites:  jumbo shrimp and grits, pan-fried chicken, and his signature buttermilk biscuits known as the best biscuits in town.

During its inaugural year, Blvd Bistro was chosen by the New York Times as a “Critic’s Pick”.  The publication also complimented Chef Carlos by stating, “Chef Carlos simply makes everything taste better”.   Chef Carlos continues to utilize his exemplary talents and keen business attributes to revolutionize the future of Blvd Bistro and its growing brand.

Davie Simmons

Uptown Veg & Juice Bar

Uptown Veg Juice Bar has been Harlem's vegetarian mainstay for 20 years now. Founded by vegetarian Davie Simmons, the family-run business has a loyal following of customers for its vegan buffet and all-natural juices.