By: Nikia Wells

No one ever left the Dorsette’s household hungry or empty handed. 

Despite earning the nickname of “Showman” from his grandfather, and Chef Romero Dorsett’s impressive resume as a globe trotting private chef, he often shys away from talking about himself or his accomplishments. Instead, he enjoys being behind the scenes, amongst his Showman eBistro Team. 

“I like it to be less about me, more about people, more about community, more about service.”

While Chef Romero skims over the details of his far reaching culinary career – one that has inspired the wide range of Showman’s international weekly menus – he lights up when talking about others, especially his mother and grandparents. 

Leaning back in his office’s chair, he vividly describes men and women coming to his childhood home for guidance and relief, and his mother’s nurturing spirit and medical career meant that their doors were always open. 

“I grew up in a household that gives. We were a house of refuge. My grandmother was a psychiatric nurse, and often saw, firsthand, the social ills and injustices of the communities around her.” 

Chef Romero pauses for a moment, seemingly reminiscing to himself, before smiling. “If you told my mother that you were hungry, she would fix you a pot of food to eat, and then she is going to go into the pantry, pull out her stash of Super value shopping bags, and pack you a bag before you left. That’s just the way she was. My mother’s kitchen was how she showed that she cared and how she took care of people.” 

Because of his mother’s commitment to others before herself, Chef Romero always associated the art of cooking with a love of people. Even all these years later, after seeing the world, cooking for celebrities and billionaires, he still sees food as a way to build and strengthen his community. 

“Money, and power, and titles don’t mean a thing to me.” Instead, he sees individuals as simply human beings – all equal, and all entitled to be treated fairly and with kindness. Chef Romero’s  outlook has also inspired a warm, welcoming and family oriented working space for his team. (But, more about that later….)

Though Chef Romero isn’t keen to speak about the many ways that he has been helping to feed thousands of men and women impacted by COVID-19, that commitment to others is the overwhelming guiding force behind Showman eBistro.

“My mother never looked for any kind of recognition, and we don’t need to share everything that we do.”