About Chef VanTrece

Chef Deborah VanTrece is one of the South’s most celebrated culinary figures. She is the creative director and owner of Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours and Oreatha’s at The Point in Atlanta, Georgia. In 2023, she was named a James Beard Award semifinalist, adding to an already impressive list of accolades that includes bestselling author, Executive Chef at the American Express Centurion Lounge at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, and host of the cooking show Global Soul Kitchen. The show premiered on FYI in September 2024 and is now in its second season, airing Monday nights at 10 PM.

Chef VanTrece’s talents and impact have earned her features on NBC’s TODAY Show, Good Morning America, The New York Times, Bon Appétit, Food & Wine, NPR, Food Network, Garden & Gun, Condé Nast Traveler, Heritage Radio Network, The Local Palate, and HuffPost, among others. She is also a winner of Food Network’s Guy’s Grocery Games.

Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours, located in West Midtown Atlanta, is where Chef VanTrece introduced her signature concept of “global soul food.” The restaurant seamlessly blends traditional Southern dishes with international flavors, reimagining comfort classics through a global lens. Twisted Soul has earned national acclaim for its innovative cuisine and commitment to cultural storytelling, becoming a culinary destination for locals and travelers alike.

Oreatha’s at The Point, named in honor of Chef VanTrece’s late mother, is a heartfelt tribute to the nurturing spirit of matriarchs around the world. Situated in the historic Cascade Heights neighborhood, Oreatha’s offers globally inspired comfort food with a special focus on meals traditionally prepared by mothers across cultures. The menu celebrates community, heritage, and the power of shared food experiences, positioning Oreatha’s as both a neighborhood gem and a cultural beacon.

Before launching her culinary career over two decades ago, VanTrece worked as a flight attendant for American Airlines. Her global travels across Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia deeply influenced her culinary perspective. Her style centers on the intersection of food and culture, offering inventive, globally inspired takes on traditional Southern fare. She coined the term “global soul food” to describe this unique culinary philosophy.

“Every culture has its own version of soul food,” explains Chef VanTrece. “A lot of people associate soul food with the rural South—and that’s definitely its root. But what I’ve learned traveling the world is that the foods we eat and share are what unite us. That spirit of fellowship has always been at the heart of soul food, and it’s exactly what our menus at Twisted Soul and Oreatha’s are all about.”

Through her exploration of global flavors and food traditions, VanTrece has become a leading voice in reimagining American cuisine. Her mission to honor and elevate her family’s culinary roots has helped spotlight the vital contributions of the African Diaspora and Black food heritage to the broader story of American food.

As an African American woman, successful restaurateur, and proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, VanTrece is also a fierce advocate for social justice and equity, especially on behalf of marginalized and underrepresented communities. She is a sought-after mentor for young chefs of color and an influential leader in the culinary world. Her deep commitment to service was recently recognized by Good Morning America, which awarded her and her team a $10,000 grant for their selfless efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.