Born, raised, and residing in Baltimore, Maryland, Krystal Mack describes herself as a culinary storyteller. As an artist, she focuses on foods from the African diaspora and more broadly on ingredients that provide both nourishment and healing.
As Mack explains, “Viewing food through the lens of healing allows me to juxtapose storytelling with systemic power and oppression and self-care with blind self-destruction.”
Though a “Jell-O and processed food vibe” was part of her food experience as a child, Mack also had a connection with her grandmother’s cooking and baking. This eventually led her to a deeper exploration into food starting when she was in her 20s.
For her RoundGlass Food course, Mack highlights beverages, tonics, and elixirs; anything that can be poured with mindfulness and intention. It’s important for her to engage with ingredients in a way that allows her to tell a story about each component of a recipe — not just a process, but also a journey.
NPR, The New York Times, and Food & Wine magazine are among the publications and media outlets that have highlighted Mack’s work. She has also been featured in the Baltimore Sun as a “Woman to Watch” and Cherry Bombe magazine included her in their “100 Women in Food” list as a “Change Agent” in the food industry.
