'Charisse was that girl, period': Loved ones, community mourn loss of beloved Philly chef, entrepreneur

'charisse was that girl, period': loved ones, community mourn loss of beloved philly chef, entrepreneur

Charisse McGill

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Friends, family and community members gathered at the Chapel of Saint Joseph’s University Friday to memorialize a beloved local chef and entrepreneur who passed away unexpectedly last week.

Charisse McGill, 42, was a rising star in the Philadelphia food scene.

“Everybody knew her as the French toast BAE,” said McGill’s friend Francis Brown.

She died Monday, Jan. 15, of natural causes. But her impact on Philadelphia and the surrounding area will be remembered forever.

Known for her famous French toast bites, McGill was the first Black woman to own and operate a food truck at Spruce Street Harbor, and the first Black woman to create a beer in the state.

Her French toast bites were presented through Lokal Artisan Foods, which she founded.

“That girl with the French toast seasoning, that girl with the French toast bites, that girl with the bacon on a stick, that girl with the French toast coffee, that girl with the French toast beer. Charisse was that girl, period,” Brown said.

Friend and business partner Kenisha McGirt described McGill as a powerhouse of a businesswoman.

“What did she not do? She taught young people at Ben Franklin High School. Charisse has touched so many spaces,” McGirt said.

She says McGill’s sudden passing has been difficult to grasp.

“The family is grieving, the city is grieving, the company is grieving. We are all just in complete and utter shock in regards to this.”

McGill was also executive director of the Farmers Market Coalition. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Charisse McGill Legacy Empowerment Fund, organized by the coalition.

The fund aims to “carry forward her vision to level the playing field by providing financial support to cover essential expenses, including market vendor fees and booth equipment for BIPOC and/or LGBTQIA-led new farmers market vendors,” the donation page read.

News Related

OTHER NEWS

Lawsuit seeks $16 million against Maryland county over death of pet dog shot by police

A department investigator accused two of the officers of “conduct unbecoming an officer” for entering the apartment without a warrant, but the third officer was cleared of wrongdoing, the suit says. Read more »

Heidi Klum shares rare photo of all 4 of her and Seal's kids

Heidi Klum posted a rare picture with husband Tom Kaulitz and her four kids: Leni, 19, Henry, 18, Johan, 17, and Lou, 14, having some quality family time. Read more »

European stocks head for flat open as markets struggle to find momentum

This is CNBC’s live blog covering European markets. European markets are heading for a flat open Tuesday, continuing lackluster sentiment seen at the start of the week in the region ... Read more »

Linda C. Black Horoscopes: November 28

Nancy Black Today’s Birthday (11/28/23). This year energizes your work and health. Faithful domestic routines provide central support. Shift directions to balance your work and health, before adapting around team ... Read more »

Michigan Democrats poised to test ambitious environmental goals in the industrial Midwest

FILE – One of more than 4,000 solar panels constructed by DTE Energy lines a 9.37-acre swath of land in Ann Arbor Township, Mich., Sept. 15, 2015. Michigan will join ... Read more »

Gaza Is Falling Into ‘Absolute Chaos,’ Aid Groups Say

A shaky cease-fire between Israel and Hamas has allowed a surge of aid to reach Palestinians in Gaza, but humanitarian groups and civilians in the enclave say the convoys aren’t ... Read more »

Bereaved Israeli and Palestinian families to march together in anti-hate vigil

Demonstrators march against the rise of antisemitism in the UK on Sunday – SUSANNAH IRELAND/REUTERS Bereaved Israeli and Palestinian families will march together as part of an anti-hate vigil on ... Read more »
Top List in the World