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February 2023
Brunch Beyond Chef Celebrates El Paso on HBO Max | Words and photos by: CLAUDIA FLORES Additional photos provided by: ROMAN WILCOX AND JEREMY KOHM/HBO MAX |
G
rowing up, Roman Wilcox, 42,
this goal with its “pay-it-forward” program,
always knew he wanted to
where through tips and “pay-it-forward”
spend his time in the kitchen.
coins, meals can be provided for those who
Wilcox grew up watching PBS
can’t afford it.
cooking shows and recalls feeling
mesmerized by the way people
“We have a full restaurant that is available
cooked, and is now the co-
to anybody. If, for any reason, somebody
owner and chef of One Grub
doesn’t have the money to afford to pay for
Community and co-founder of
their meal at that time, we have a system in
Planty For the People.
place that the community contributes to,” Wilcox said. “Anyone in the community, if
“I started gardening when I was a teacher
they give tips or donations or they buy ‘pay-
and I learned more about food systems,
it-forward’ coins, all that money is set aside
the food agriculture bull, local food, local
for those that need a meal.”
agriculture, and all of that started becoming very important to me,” Wilcox said. “I felt
After cooking professionally for over 27 years
I had a responsibility as somebody who
and with experience in fine dining, a nonprofit
cooked as a professional that I could make a
and educational backgrounds, opening One
small difference in what I do in my business
Grub Community and its sister organizations
and my craft.”
is, Wilcox explains, the culmination of elements that led him to open a diner with
One Grub community is a full plant-
accessible and healthy food.
based business with the mission to
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provide healthy food to people in
Aside from running the One Grub diner,
the community, regardless of their
Wilcox, along with his wife Adriana Wilcox,
circumstances. One Grub achieves
run Planty For the People, a nonprofit
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