New Vendor: Meet Kaya Grill & Gyoza!
Ever wonder how a single bite can take you on a trip around the world? Meet Chef Royce Lowery and Danielle Mitchell, founders of Kaya Grill & Gyoza, one of our market’s new and exciting vendors!
Their story began with a desire to bring something different to their community.
When most people think of Black culinary traditions, they think of soul food—and rightfully so. Those dishes carry the resilience, ingenuity, and survival of Africans enduring one of history’s greatest injustices. But as chefs, artists, and cultural storytellers, they felt the story of Black food was much larger than what is commonly represented.
African influence exists across the globe, and African people helped shape the flavors, techniques, and food systems of countless cultures. From the rice fields of the American South to the vibrant street food of Latin America and the layered spices of Asia, African ingenuity has shaped flavors all over the planet.
Royce shared, “Kaya Grill is my way of kind of expanding people's perception of what black cuisine can be or what it is.”
Kaya Grill & Gyoza was born to celebrate this incredible Black food culture. Specializing in crispy gyoza skewers, hearty rice bowls, sandwiches, salads, and signature sauces, their menu is a delicious roadmap blending Caribbean, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Latin, and Macanese influences. Not as fusion for novelty’s sake, but as a reflection of cultural movement and shared history.
“We wanted to create a concept that honored tradition while showing how interconnected global cuisine truly is...and expand the conversation around Black food.”
The name "Kaya" translates to richness, abundance, and nourishment across multiple cultures. It’s the perfect description for dishes that do more than just fill your belly; they spark conversations and challenge how we think about identity and culture.
So, the next time you’re strolling through the market, follow your nose to Kaya Grill & Gyoza. Grab some food, expand your palate, and experience firsthand how deeply connected we all are through the universal language of delicious food!
