Derrell Smith
CHEF, TV PERSONALITY & CEO of 99eats, llc
What have you been working on? Gas yourself!
Season 2 of Mad Good Food is now airing every Thursday at 8p ET on Tastemade. I’m also fresh off the Today Show Halloween special where I did three segments. Also, hmu for the monthly dinner pop-up in DTLA.
How does your culture inform your creative work?
I represent the culture in the food-TV space because there is no one as authentic and relatable, that looks like me, on television. I grew up watching chef personalities on TV and always felt left out because I never saw myself. Now, I am the one changing that, and the culture finally can see themselves in me. I bring confidence, professionalism and spice to a traditionally “vanilla” space and I’m only getting started. Soon I will be a household name, and my people will be proud because my journey has been unconventional, transparent and inspiring to anyone who believes they can create their dreams. Because the culture is behind me, I feel empowered and unstoppable and I will keep rising because of the support of my people.
What is your greatest struggle/challenge these days?
It is odd to be at this point in the journey. To walk down the street and be recognized and to watch myself on television and to be so confident in myself and my path, but still worry about paying rent some months. I’m at the point that no one speaks about while they are in it — to see the light in the tunnel, and to see the rewards on their way, and to feel those rewards every so often — but still have to live in the reality of financial uncertainty (from time to time). My confidence and faith are unwavering through it all, but I will be doing myself and anyone reading this, a disservice if I said it was easy. You imagine yourself hitting certain milestones before you hit them, and imagine how your lifestyle and indulgences will level up at each checkpoint, but that’s not always the case. Entrepreneurship is like climbing steps in a tall building, and every so often an elevator appears, and takes you up a few flights, but most of your time is spent on the steps and you have to find comfort in dark, cramp spaces. To anyone reading this, through it all BELIEVE in yourself! Find your joy in the climb, and keep your knees high. You must KNOW you are “THAT NIG”, and climb in that confidence no matter your bank statement, or means of transportation, or sacrifices needed to advance yourself and your mission — the coins will come and they are coming, but NEVER base your success on the coins. Instead, base success on the impact of your work and the way it makes you feel to see your ideas personified in the world. Be relentless, power through and when that money starts rolling in, buy me drink :)
What does community mean for you as a creative?
Community is a football locker room to me. A space for us — to let down our guard and still feel protected and to share our unreserved selves. To understand the pains and struggles that come with a common goal and to be their to pick each other up when “reality” scores a goal. Then, to lift each other up and assist in each other’s successes and wins.
What inspires you in your creative process?
Self Love inspires me. It is impossible to survive the creative process unless you are immersed in It. Creativity as a profession is so uncertain and vulnerable, that in order to survive it you must truly Love not only your work, but also yourself because it is how we express ourselves. Whether through song, art, food, dance, etc, Love is the thread and thing that people feel when they consume our creativity. I know I’m doing it right when I rewatch myself or when I scoop a second helping of the food I make. I Love seeing myself and eating my food and being around myself, therefore others will too. That’s how I feel and what I exude — that feeling of Love in all the forms of my creativity and self expression.
Is there anything happening in your community that you'd like to shed some light on?
Watch my TV show, Mad Good Food on Tastemade. Follow me on social media @rellycrocker. Hmu for coffee if you think we can help each other, buy Amazeballs merch and be on the lookout for events I’m cooking at.
