Chef Deborah VanTrece Hosting MLK Day Brunch to Rebuild California Coffee Shop Destroyed By Fire
Chef Deborah VanTrece is raising money to help rebuild a coffee shop in Altadena, California, that was destroyed by the Eaton Fire. This Monday, on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours will host brunch from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“If you can’t make it to the brunch, please consider making a donation directly to a GoFundMe, which has been established to help raise funds for the rebuild.”
The Black and female-owned small business, which opened in 1955, has Georgia roots — the chef and owner Barbara Shay’s family is from Coweta County, Georgia. The coffee shop has been in Shay’s family for generations.
Altadena is a tight-knit community and Little Red Hen was a local favorite for coffee and breakfast. The fires have left the neighborhood unrecognizable, with many local restaurants impacted, including Side Pie, Cafe De Leche, Rancho Bar, Fox’s Restaurant, and Amara Kitchen.
“Been eating [at Little Red Hen] with my fam since I was a kid... we will rebuild!” says one patron of the cafe on Instagram. “Hands down, the best vibes and food in LA. Praying for all of you,” says another.
The brunch at Twisted Soul will include dishes influenced by Chef Shay, including the Twisted S.O.S. (braised pulled beef short rib gravy, creole crinkle fries, poached egg, and crumbled goat cheese) and the Twisted Hen Special (choice of chicken sausage, beef hot link, applewood smoked bacon, eggs, grits, and a side of fries, biscuit or an English muffin).
Also, expect Twisted Soul’s brunch favorites like Twisted Cajun Shrimp and Grits with a chive and cheddar biscuit and sweet potato pancakes, alongside special coffee cocktails.
More than $36,000 have been raised on the restaurant’s GoFundMe campaign, with a goal of $125,000 for the rebuild.