Chef Wally, the owner of Wally’s Northwest Soul, opened the doors to his new storefront last month in Seattle’s Central District. After a decade and a half of serving the community through selling plates, catering, and pop-up spots, the chef described his new brick-and-mortar location as a return home, celebrating the monumental achievement with the community that has deeply influenced him.
The celebrated chef shared his deep connection to the Central District. For him, the neighborhood is more than just a location; it’s a place that shaped his existence as a chef and as a person. He sees Wally’s Northwest Soul as his way of “bringing culture back to the CD.”
The food at Wally’s is a reflection of the chef’s culinary journey, one that started in his grandmother’s kitchen absorbing her Southern traditions. Recalling how he started cooking with her from age 10, Wally credits his grandmother for initiating his intense passion for the kitchen, eventually leading him to monetizing his skill and pursuing business ownership…