The Black Foodies Showcase “Signature Chicago”

Dino and Coretta Dean, known as the Black Foodies, are the creators behind a popular Food Vlog that started on YouTube in 2017. PHOTO PROVIDED BY FELICIA APPREY.
Dino and Coretta Dean, known as the Black Foodies, are the creators behind a popular Food Vlog that started on YouTube in 2017. PHOTO PROVIDED BY FELICIA APPREY.

The Black Foodies Showcase “Signature Chicago”

By Tia Carol Jones

The Black Foodies, Dino and Coretta Dean, have been Black Food Vloggers for seven years. In that time, they have created a following on YouTube and social media, showing people some of the best Black food establishments in Chicago and beyond. Now, they are visiting diverse restaurants in the city of Chicago and talking to restaurant owners about their signature dishes in a TV show called “Signature Chicago.” The show will air at 6 a.m. on Saturdays on WGN-TV.

Dino Dean said the show is the culmination of a lot of years of work. The show is done by The Black Foodies’ production company and Verz Productions. They approached WGN with the “Signature Chicago” show concept. The first episode of “Signature Chicago” will debut on Jan.

 20th, with Dream’s Pizza on the 9, in Markham; Storyville in River North and Surf’s Up in Oak Park. The Black Foodies have a lot of great relationships in the restaurant industry, so it wasn’t difficult for them to reach out to restaurant owners for them to feature for the show.

“We got access to their kitchen and they’ll be able to have their restaurant featured on WGN and showcased on a broader scale than just on social media,” Dino Dean said.

Corretta Dean said it was one of the Black Foodies’ goal to get a television show. The showcases on YouTube were done as a television show. It was always in the back of their minds to do a television show. She described what they do as a cross between the Neelys and Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. People who have seen the show already have given them positive feedback and they’ve received stellar reviews.

The Black Foodies also have a bus tour, which is Corretta Dean’s brainchild. The first bus tour was in November 2018, with 25 passengers. During the tour, they visited restaurants that were featured by The Black Foodies, as well as landmarks and historic sites. The bus tour started back up September 2023 and it sold out. There are plans to bring it back Spring 2024 as a monthly event, which they will announce on their social media platforms, with tickets available on Eventbrite.

Dino Dean said that with the advent of social media, it opened up a lane for people to express themselves to the general public to consume. He has noticed that there are a lot of people attempting to be an influencer and have their voice heard.

“It is a good thing, everyone has something valuable to say,” Dino Dean said.

The Black Foodies make sure they have content that engages their viewers and makes them want to keep interacting with the content. They know they have to grab people’s attention quickly, because people now want more instant gratification.

The Black Foodies began their food vlog in 2017. Avid travelers, wherever they went, they would look for Black-owned restaurants. They thought it would be nice if there was a resource of Black-owned businesses. Dino Dean said their content has gotten better since they first started and they have learned from watching others on social media. The Black Foodies have been able to engage with their audience on a personal level.

For more information about The Black Foodies, visit theblackfoodies.com. You can also follow them on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and X as The Black Foodies.

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