WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.  — Women are breaking barriers all across the country and one woman in Winston-Salem is changing the restaurant industry, becoming the first African-American executive chef in the city.

What You Need To Know

  • Ebony Warfield is the first Black woman executive chef in Winston-Salem

  • Warfield is a trained chef from the Art Institute of Austin

  • Warfield was inspired to start cooking by her grandmother

Ebony Warfield is the new executive chef of 6th and Vine Restaurant and Wine Bar. Warfield became inspired from cooking by her grandmother when she was younger.

“That was just a good time. Like, we will have all the family over, we will cook, we would hang out, we would talk, we would gossip and that kind of got me into cooking. Just sitting there and watching her wake up early in the morning and cook this big meal for the entire family just for us to gather around and you know have a good time. So, that really kind of got me into cooking and just seeing that kind of camaraderie just around food,” Warfield said.

Warfield is a trained chef from the Art Institue of Austin. She is taking on all new responsibilities and being in charge of the entire kitchen, making schedules and taking orders for the entire restaurant.

“I love it, kind of makes me very well rounded so I kind of know every aspect. I’m not depending on anyone else to do it or hopefully they get it right it’s kind of it’s all on you. There’s no one else to blame if somethings not here or somethings not done right because it’s your full and sole responsibility,” said Warfield.

She says her new title is humbling and puts her in a spotlight something she never expected to happen.

“Never thought anyone would look at me as a role model especially coming from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It’s not a lot of people that you consider role models that come from where I’m from.”