Finding the Right Hire by Chef & Founder of Kinfolk

Chef David Thomas was born in Philadelphia, but spent the majority of his life in Houston, Texas. It was there where he decided to be a chef, at 14 years of age. He fell in love with the kitchen by way of community service, as a means to stay out of trouble as a teen. He met his mentor, Joseph Hopkins, at a soup kitchen, and continued to work for him in the years to follow. He takes inspirations from his Mother, Grandmother, Chef Joseph, and circuses that he traveled with along the way. In his youth, David spent summers traveling the country with his aunt, who was a circus performer.

Southern Fusion is his favorite cuisine, and his favorite thing to cook is a Collard Green Soup, which has been passed down through his family for generations. While at Morehouse, David Majored in Sociology and was a Member of the "House of Funk" Marching Band and Jazz Band, SGA, and Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity.

David founded Kinfolk + Cousins in 2017. It is a boutique catering and live events company based in NYC. Their food is inspired by seasons and sourced from trusted local farmers and purveyors.

Alongside his Co-Head Chef, Fabian Ferrera, David and his team of experienced and knowledgeable staff offer a wide range of services. From photo shoots to full service catering, Hospitality Consulting, and even Menu Development.

Q: What is the biggest challenge you have met in your career?

David: The largest and most consistent challenge I have had in my career is being underestimated from a skills perspective, and being treated differently because of the color of my skin.

Q: How you would describe your company culture, and what are the superpowers of your team?

David: The culture of Kinfolk + Cousins is Love Meals: Real Food for Real People. We believe that food is the great common denominator in life, and the headwaters from which all culture flows. Our super power is our ability to create thoughtful and genuine food and culture spaces.

Q: How would you describe your leadership style?

David: I am an interactive relationship-builder. I believe in creating genuine relational space with my staff, to create a comfortable living space for us to work, innovate and be our best selves in. Treat people well and they will treat you well – this is the working mantra for my team.

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Q: Who inspires you and why?

David: Walter Massey, my college president. He inspired me as a leader because he was a walking example of the line "Speak the Kings’ Language, but Walks with the Common Touch" by Rudyard Kipling. He always made time to speak with students when on campus and we regularly had lunch with him. His wisdom and sage advice continues to me in my life.

Q: What are some challenges or trends you see in hiring today?

David: Finding the right people is always the greatest challenge. The trend I see in hiring today is companies taking their time, by extending the interview process to spend more time with potential candidates. This allows them to get to know them as people before making a hiring decision.

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Q: Have you ever had an hourly job? If yes, please share with us your experience

David: I started as a dishwasher and prep cook. I worked hard, and now know the value of hard work. I learned so much from what I did there, which still plays a part in guiding me through what I do everyday. Working hard cooperating with a team of people that trust one another will allow you to achieve anything.

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