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Ira Justin Barksdale

@chefirajay

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#1. I GIVE ALL THE PRAISE & GLORY 2 GOD/ JESUS CHRIST!
IM NOT A CELEBRITY CHEF, MY FOODS JUST FAMOUS! 🇵🇦 YES YOU CAN BOOK MY SERVICES!
@therouxkitchen

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Lobster lovers, we’re celebrating all weekend. 🦞

Join us September 25–27 for our National Lobster Day specials:

✨ Lobster & Grits — $25
✨ Lobster Roll — $20
✨ Lobster & Waffle — $25 (brunch only)

Come hungry, enjoy drink specials from 5–7 PM and live music from 7–10 PM. Specials are available while supplies last, so reservations are recommended. Walk-ins are welcome, too!

Book your table at www.therouxkitchen.com.
📍 537 Edgewood Ave SE, Atlanta, GA

#TheRouxKitchen #AtlantaEats #AtlantaBrunch #nationallobsterday #OldFourthWard by @chefirajay

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21 days ago

I know I haven’t posted in a while…

& that was intentional! Sometimes moving in silence shuts out the noise, keeps the negativity away, and allows you to completely lock in on what God has placed in front of you.

For me, that has been The Roux Kitchen.

I’ve been in Atlanta working alongside Mr. & Mrs. Singleton, pouring everything I have into bringing this restaurant and concept to life. After 22+ years in this industry, opening restaurants, developing concepts, consulting, creating menus and building teams, I can truly say this one feels different. The Roux Kitchen is a highlight of my culinary career.

This weekend we begin our SOFT OPENING. Soft opening means we learn. We listen. We meet. We adjust. We get better. Because our goal isn’t just to open another restaurant, it’s to build something Atlanta will remember. 
For me, this is my Michelin Star time. Not because anything has been handed to us, but because that is the level of excellence I’m chasing. I’m praying every bite represents the 22+ years I’ve dedicated to this craft.
And this is only the beginning. My next moves are about continuing to build and support Black-owned restaurants and pushing our concepts and experience toward the level of excellence and recognition WE deserve.

At The Roux Kitchen, we want to create dining experiences and memories that keep you coming back daily, weekly, but never monthly.

Our favorite words should become:
“I’ll see you tomorrow.”

To my family, closest friends and loved ones (JLB M ISLTDLR+) I know you can’t be here for another one of my openings, and I have truly missed you while being here in Atlanta. Some of you didn’t even know what I was working on. I finally get to apologize!

I only ask one thing: say a prayer for me, Mr. & Mrs. Singleton, our team, this restaurant, and everyone who walks through our doors.

Atlanta, we’re ready. 🙏🏾🔥

Soft Opening reservations are required. Please reserve seats for yourself and everyone in your party at: www.TheRouxKitchen.com

After moving in silence for a while…
it’s finally time to let the food make some noise.

Lastly, I want to give all the praise and all the glory to GOD. by @chefirajay

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a month ago

GOD THANK YOU FOR ANOTHER YEAR OF GAINED WISDOM!

DEAR DECEMBER 4th,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to a man that took the time to evaluate, learn, and GROW! This year was a year GOD did HIS most and best work on me. Took some L’s but turned them into Lessons Learned and I’m completely grateful..

For my bday all I want is for each and every one of you to better your relationship with GOD! That’s it! But while you’re here tho, DROP A HAPPY BIRTHDAY COMMENT

SHOUT OUT TO THIS PICTURES TAKER! taken in 38 by @chefirajay

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2 years ago

2 MY BROTHER!
I got my 1st kitchen job with you!
I opened my very first restaurant with you!
I secured my first 7fig with you!

Now here we are about to run it back and this time we have even more experience and a bigger support group! Let’s keep our success going!

Like the Jesus Pieces around our necks we will continue to give GOD all the Glory and all the Praise!

WHELP! Here we goooooo…. by @chefirajay

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2 years ago

this is what brunch looks like at @blaqhausnoho when you’re @chefirajay’s favorite 🤭 taken in Los Angeles, California by @chefirajay

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3 years ago

IM ALWAYS COOKING! NOT ALWAYS IN THE KITCHEN… taken in Church by @chefirajay

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4 years ago

HOME FOR A SHORT TIME, NOT A LONG TIME!!! LA IS MY CITY, THAT’S WHERE MY HEART AT ❤️ taken in Station1640 by @chefirajay

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4 years ago

YEAR #36 Happy Birthday 2 i! What a Best Seller Book type of Life I’ve had thus far. It has truly been a rollercoaster of a ride. But with 36 years came W’s and L’s… But for each L came an even bigger “LESSON”. I give all Glory and Praise to GOD for without HIM I am nothing. My skills, wisdom, attributes, voice, and career has been because of Him and I am truly thankful. With all that I am I have done my best to be a great leader and provider! Big shot out to my Father and Mother… Words can not express the amount of LOVE I have for each of them. To my sisters… Leti, T, Lisa, Z, Trice y’all have taught me how to be a BOSS. How to take a hit and get up and keep going. How to always value who I am more than what people want me to be. I appreciate you all. To my Inner Circle of Friends. You all know who you are! Thank you for lacing me up, gearing me down, charging up my scent, piercing my listeners, name branding my vibe, feeding my soul, advising my future, being a bed to rest, an ear for listening, FOOD TASTERS, prayer partners, hoop rivals, my personal stylist, my sugar for all the coffee I drink, my +5/ +3 Chicken Dinners and Dubz, my therapist.. I love y’all… To my Followers, Fans (weird to say), and colleagues. My drive is because of the unconditional support you all give! When I shoot it never feels like I miss because the love you all show is crazy amazing and appreciated. My drive and determination was built to be more and also be a better version of myself daily because of you all. THANK YOU.. To my CIJ TEAM. There’s no success without you all. There’s no way I am who I am without you and your hard work. Thank You! Last but not least I want to say thank you TO ME. IM HIM! Your Welcome Me! THE END.. shot out @bystokesla @nike @charm_of_neimans for the bday looks. I guess I can start my modeling career now! Go Follow each of them individually because they have nothing but HEAT! Thanks for all the bday wishes, texts, dms, and calls.. taken in Los Angeles, California by @chefirajay

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4 years ago

“IM HIM” in every category….
(Shirt and Hat by my guy/ bro @bystokesla ) I low key think I was saying Happy Birthday to you Stokes!
iCook in my White T 🥘🍝🍽💙🔥 taken in Los Angeles, California by @chefirajay

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4 years ago

“iAM FOOD”
I have been in the Culinary Game 15+ years and I am tremendously thankful for all that I have learned and accomplished within this awesome sauce industry. It has molded me into the MAN I am today and without the DOWNS there could have never been UPS and I have a lot of UPS!!! I thank GOD for this amazing talent He’s given me. I thank GOD for the amazing people I’ve met along this journey! No this isn’t a announcement post… This was just a “IM HAPPY TO SAY THAT IM IN LOVE WITH WHAT I DO 💙” post! #chef #yeschef #cheflife #blackchef #foodnetwork #foodie #losangeles by @chefirajay

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4 years ago

A “CHEF” is a LEADER, a COACH, a ARTIST, a HOST, a COUNSELOR, a CREATOR, ETC… I’m absolutely in love with what I do. It’s my passion to bring people together positively through #FOOD !!! I believe that GOOD FOOD = HAPPINESS and I’m here to give out smiles.. Book Me and My Team! (Classes, Catering, Consulting, Private, Business. ETC) taken in EARTH by @chefirajay

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5 years ago

Just because I don’t post as much doesn’t mean I’m not out here doing what I love each and every day! Whether it’s @joeyrestaurants or @experiencedase or Private Services for my Amazing Celebrity Clientele or Catering’s or Meal Preps or Consulting for Food Trucks and Restaurants or making Menus for other well known Chef’s... I will always be in love with the Culinary Game and there’s absolutely nothing I rather do! taken in San Diego, California by @chefirajay

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5 years ago