Written by Charlise Rookwood- Guest Author on May 1, 2026

Vegan chef Charlise Rookwood uses her imagination and creativity to prepare dishes with the flavors and inspiration from her Jamaican and Mauritian roots. She has developed vegan menus and catered special events for celebrities such as Donnell Rawlings, Dean Edwards, Incognito, i One (BET red carpet), and many more. Rookwood is also the host of The Black Vegan Cooking Show, where she chops it up with tastemakers, musicians, influencers, and the best vegan chefs in the country in search of the perfect plant-based meal. In 2026, Charlise opened her own restaurant, Nacha Foccacia, in Brooklyn, New York.