Details coming soon.
Born in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, and raised in Norfolk, Connecticut, Chef Damien Brockway is a proud African American culinary talent whose journey into the world of food began in 1998 at the Yellow Victorian Restaurant in Riverton, CT. A graduate of the prestigious Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, with an A.O.S degree in 2003, Chef Brockway has since built an impressive career working in nationally recognized, award-winning, and Michelin-rated restaurants across Connecticut, Vermont, New York, Boston, San Francisco, and Austin.
Settling in Austin in 2012, Chef Brockway launched the concept for *Distant Relatives* in the fall of 2018. Initially a popup series starting in the summer of 2020, *Distant Relatives* officially became a company on August 24, 2020. The trailer opened its doors on February 22, 2021, at East 7th Street in Austin, Texas, becoming a beacon for modern interpretations of African American and African Diaspora cuisine.
Chef Brockway culinary excellence has earned numerous accolades:
- **StarChefs**: Rising Star Chef 2017
- **Texas Food & Wine Alliance**: Culinary Grant Recipient 2020
- **CultureMap**: Rising Star Chef 2021
- **Eater**: Best New Restaurants Award 2021
- **Texas Monthly BBQ**: Top 50 in 2021
- **James Beard Foundation**: Semi-Finalist for Best Chef Texas 2022-2023
- **Michelin Guide**: Bib Gourmand Award 2024
As the chef, pitmaster, and owner of *Distant Relatives*, Chef Brockway continues to push the boundaries of culinary innovation, blending heritage, history, and bold flavors to craft unforgettable dining experiences.
