AphroChic Magazine: Issue No. 4

Food
this work because it’s more than just the food and
the recipes. It’s really about inspiring another generation
to own your story.”
The young food star has certainly taken things
to the next level. A two-time champion of the series
Chopped, Lazarus is also host of the Food Network’s
digital series Comfort Nation. With several shows
under his arm, and now a successful cookbook,
Lazarus is diving deeper into another love — music.
After finishing up his cookbook, Lynch decided
it was time to get back to other forms of creativity,
and took some time off to refocus his energy. It
was during that time that he began writing music.
Dozens of songs poured out of him, and by the end
of 2019, just months after his book had launched, he
was working on his first album. “The themes [are]
around identity, self-expression, spirituality and
allowing your spirit and your body to be the home
for you.”
The centerpiece of his growing catalog is the
exploration of gay, Black male identity, I’m Gay.
Equal parts emotional ballad and defiant anthem,
the song is a conversation between Lazarus and
his younger self that ends in a joyous declaration
of self-acceptance, set against the backdrop of a
church organ. “I’m gay,” he says simply. “It is an
anthem. It is jubilant. It is a freedom song.”
While music might seem like an unexpected
turn in a burgeoning culinary career, it’s not at
all surprising. For Lazarus, it’s all about authentic
self-expression and creating work that helps him
speak his truth, whether in food, music or whatever
creative pursuit fits the moment and the emotion.
“I feel that ingredients are like clothes. It’s like you
go into a store, into a closet and it’s really about expressing
how you feel. It’s like notes in music. The
arrangement of those notes. The arrangement of
those flavors. That’s all a form of expression,” he
reflects. “Cooking techniques are the accessories
— the glasses, the frames, a round toe versus a
pointed toe. That’s how I think about food. What do
i feel like creating? What are the accessories? And
then ultimately how will it make me feel?” AC
I’ve Been Drinking Watermelon Cocktails
(inspired by Queen Bey)
Serves 2
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
INGREDIENTS:
2 teaspoons kosher salt
2 teaspoons sugar
2 teaspoons chili powder
Zest of 1 lime, plus lime wedges for serving
2 cups fresh watermelon juice
4 ounces of tequila
2 ounces fresh citrus juice (any combination of orange, lemon, and lime)
1/2 ounce agave nectar
1 bunch fresh basil leaves, plus more for garnish
1 bunch fresh mint leaves, plus more for garnish
1 small jalapeño, sliced and seeded, plus more for garnish
Ice
INSTRUCTIONS:
Mix together the salt, sugar, chili powder, and lime zest on a small, shallow
plate. Use lime wedges to wet the rims of two glasses, then gently press the
rims into the salt mixture to coat.
Fill a cocktail shaker with watermelon juice, tequila, citrus juice, agave, 3
leaves each of the basil and mint, and jalapeño. Add ice and shake well, until
the outside of the shaker is cold, about 30 seconds.
Strain cocktail through a strainer and fill the prepared glasses with the
watermelon cocktail. Garnish each with basil, int and jalapeño.
Recipe excerpt from Son of a Southern Chef: Cook With Soul published by
Penguin Random House (https://bit.ly/37UASDD). Listen to I’m Gay on Spotify
(spoti.fi/37Mhoke)
82 aphrochic issue four 83