We were lucky to catch up with Chrystina Casado recently and have shared our conversation below.

Chrystina, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Naming anything – including a business – is so hard. Right? What’s the story behind how you came up with the name of your brand?

The company is Named after my son Zion. While I was going through my battle with cancer. I used to envision Zion in high school coming home from a long day with his friends and them trying to decide what they were going to eat. Then his friends would say ” let’s go and eat Brunch at Zion’s his mama can really cook” it was my way of positively getting through the most scariest time in my life.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Chrystina Casado, I am a New York based Caribbean and Southern food chef, artist, Mom, and founder of Brunch at Zion’s. Brunch At Zion’s was founded in 2019 in the beginning of the pandemic. I left corporate America and decided that I wanted to be present 100% to watch Zion grow up and build him a legacy. Brunch at Zion’s a space that brings together the best of black culture. Combined with farm to table, organic, and clean soul food. We feed children under 5 for free and help single middle class parents with food when their paycheck isn’t sufficient through our dining with dignity program. We provide a space for black and brown artists of the Bronx to showcase their art in the restaurant and receive 100% of their profit if sold. Once a month we host a black market in the restaurant that allows local black and brown businesses to sell and make 100% of their profits without a table fee. Giving back to our community is a huge component of B.A.Z.
Brunch At Zion’s is not just a restaurant it is a space that BRINGS Black & Brown healing to life.

I am most proud that I get to live out my dreams with my son by my side. He gets to see true entrepreneurship and meaningful connections. I get to serve some of the most amazing clients that have become some of my closest friends.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

So during the pandemic I wasn’t sure how I was going to be able to take care of my newborn son. Especially after leaving an abusive relationship and having cancer. I had a culinary degree and I realized there were a lot of people in my apartment building that didn’t have access to food and didn’t cook and ordered out a lot. So, I had a mini mixer in our lobby where I presented cupcakes and introduce myself to my neighbors. So I got a couple of orders and then I started doing pop ups and that was a total flop. Traveling with food and not having 100% experience doing this was scary and I learned so much. I even got scammed by a women whonI booked 3 pop-ups with. I realized that pop-ups were not for me and markets were better suited for me. So after doing markets for a year I started doing 10 course tastings in different boroughs. The last borough I did a tasting in was the Bronx where I live. While I was looking for a venue I came across a spot where the property manager was super rude and had a nasty attitude, but I had already sold out of all the tickets and I needed a venue ASAP so I kept my composure. So, I told her what I did and the that I needed. She said I’m going to show you a space that we have downstairs and when she showed me the space, I had to take a seat! All I thought to myself is oh my God you’re going to open a restaurant and that’s how Brunch At Zions was born. There was something special about the space it looked horrible but I saw myself in there. I saw every wall painted and decorated. I saw a kid’s corner and everything that I ever envisioned coming into fruition .I remember after I left I thought to myself you could have easily given that lady the same energy she gave you but you kept your composure. I asked for meeting with the owner and next thing you know I’m signing a lease.

How’d you meet your business partner?

We met on 4/1/2019. I had no idea I was pregnant with Zion( cofounder/ business partner)and when I finally found out, I was already 4 months. I also found out that I had stage 2 cancer at the same time and the doctors wanted me to have surgery to get rid of the cancer, but that meant that Zion wouldn’t be here. So I decided to hold off until I had Zion. The cancer escalated to stage 3. When I first met Zion my heart had never felt such love I knew from this point on everything would be okay , because I had someone that looked at me like I was magic. I knew I had to make sure that he was set for life and that I would be here for as long as God allowed. I wanted to make sure that I planted seeds for him so that he would be set in life and that he would still remember me.

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.brunchatzions.com
• Instagram: Brunchatzions
• Facebook: Brunch At Zion’s
• Linkedin: Chrystina casado
• Youtube: @chrystinacasadobrunchatzions

Image Credits
Ana Silva Photography