Instagram story viewer> @chef_black> Tagged

chef_black

@chef_black

undefined

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

Our owners Robert Black and Lori Dickinson-Black were honored to be a part of the City of Edmond’s new video celebrating the history, character, and community spirit of Downtown Edmond.

For generations, residents have gathered along its historic streets to shop, enjoy local entertainment, dine at longtime establishments, and create memories that continue to shape the city’s identity.

From restaurants and shops to public art and historic buildings, Downtown Edmond offers more than a place to do business. It is a place to pause, gather, and belong. The new video celebrates the area’s history while looking toward its continued evolution.

Through stories of longtime businesses, community leaders, and cherished local destinations, the video shows how Downtown Edmond’s past continues to influence its future. Visit @cityofedmondok to see the full video.

173

11

We stopped by the $2K Cookie Contest hosted by @twistedtreebakingcompany over the weekend, where @sugarcrumbz_by_zoemarwedel took home the grand prize for her Chocolate Snickerdoodle with chocolate ganache drizzle. 🍪🏆😋

Was it difficult to eat our way through a room full of cookies from some of the best bakers & chefs in town? Not particularly.

Would we do it again? Absolutely.

51

5

My heart is SO FULL!

Never in a million years did I think I’d be able to say I competed against 12 other remarkable bakers in the 4th Annual Twisted Tree Bakery Cookie Competition. Especially only 10 weeks after starting my baking journey. I didn’t place, and though I am extremely competitive, I am just honored to say I was in the room. Maybe they will have me back next year…

Major THANKS to @michaela.st.germaine for telling me I was talented enough to apply, and to my girls for showing up on game day.

Thank you endlessly to @chef_black and @twistedtreebakingcompany for allowing me to be a part of your event. It feels pretty awesome to have the support of an industry pro this early in my journey!

Thank you, thank you, to my family. My husband for letting me chase my dreams while holding it down for our boys. My parents for always being my biggest cheerleaders and helping me set up for this event. You raised me to be creative and it has always proven to be a useful skill.

End of the day, what an incredible experience!! It was so worth it to share my story and cookies with a room full of strangers. Kids who give me a thumbs up (they’re the real critics), and watching eyes roll in the back-or the nod of approval…all of it was so worth it!! I hope to see many familiar faces at my cookie cart moving forward. 🍪🩷

135

16

We know we can’t keep everyone forever. But we sure wish we could with Anna Beth.

AB has been with us almost as long as we’ve owned Evoke. When she applied right out of high school it was her goal to work at Evoke.

She worked full-time and went to school full-time. Somehow, whenever we needed help, AB said yes. She ALWAYS brings the comic relief and creativity, and her hospitality skills are second to none. If we were away, we knew Evoke was in her very capable hands.

In the early years, she was affectionately called “Little Lori,” but over time she managed to capture the best parts of both of our management styles, and add plenty of her own, to help us shape Evoke into what it is today in Downtown Edmond.

She became so much more than an employee. Last year, we had the honor of hosting her wedding reception at Evoke and being part of such a meaningful moment in her life.

This Saturday will be AB’s last day managing Evoke as she gets ready to begin the final year of her graduate studies in pottery and spread her artistic and entrepreneurial wings. We wanted to share the news so our customers, many of whom have known her for years, have the chance to stop in and wish her well.

And because it says everything about who she is: she gave us a YEAR’S notice. Who cares enough to do that anymore?

And somehow, we’re still not ready.

But we couldn’t be more thrilled for her and this next season. We know Evoke will always be part of her story, just as she’ll always be part of ours, even if now we get to see a little more of each other from the other side of the bar.

AB, “THANK YOU” doesn’t begin to capture how we feel. But we hope this post comes close.

We’re proud of you and we can’t wait to see what you create next!

Robert & Lori

158

13

Watching the @fifaworldcup Championship at @pikeplacepublicmarket on a gorgeous Sunday in Seattle with @chef_black

10

0

30

3

That’s a wrap on our soft opening weekend. What a dream it’s been getting here! ❤️

Thank you to friends and family for joining us to celebrate before we open. It was incredible to hear so many kind words confirming all the hard work that’s gone into creating Alchemy.

And we can’t begin to say how proud we are of this incredible crew that made it all look effortless.

👉 Opening day is Tuesday, June 16th. See you then!

#alchemyedmond #downtownedmond #edmondok #okcnightlife

138

6

Robert and Lori Black have helped shape Oklahoma's hospitality scene. Now, through SpringBoard, they're helping the next generation of restaurants and hospitality businesses succeed.

Read more in the Oklahoma Gazette: https://www.okgazette.com/food-drink/springboard-effect/

194

9

If you’d asked me years ago about owning a bookstore, it was never on my radar.

I was focused on my work in nonprofits and settled into a beautiful routine… until life as I knew it came to an abrupt halt. Everything I thought my future would look like changed.

Opening Bluebird Books in Oct. 2023 was something I never expected, but it has grown into such a special place of connection and community through a shared love of reading.

In April 2025, I received an ALC of The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett. I was hooked immediately (a tabby cat named Pancakes + a road trip? Say no more!).

By the end, I laughed, cried, gasped, and crowned it one of my all-time favorite books. I sent Annie a DM to thank her for her writing and shared how our own tabby, Ryder (who has thumbs and opens doors 😅), kept vigil with my late husband in his final weeks and became such a comfort to our family.

After several failed attempts, I mostly stopped chasing big author events at Bluebird and focused instead on creating meaningful Book Circles. We chose The Road to Tender Hearts for our May Book Circle because it was our top-selling title last year (and, if I’m honest, because I selfishly wanted to talk about it more).

Then Annie messaged and asked if she could come.

I was in the car and started silent screaming.

We increased the number of tickets and sold out almost immediately.

Sitting with Annie while she told stories and answered questions I looked out at a room full of smiling faces, hearing people share their own stories and connection to this book was one of those moments I’ll carry for a long time.

Thank you to everyone who helped set up and everyone who showed up to welcome Annie to Oklahoma for the first time. And THANK YOU to Annie for taking a chance on us and coming to the party.

One line from the book keeps staying with me:

“…a person needs three things to be happy: something to do; someone to love; and something to look forward to.”

That feels true.

And last night was pure joy. 💙

127

15

It’s probably proof that I’m weird because Austin was wonderful! Stood in line for 90 minutes for Michelin Star BBQ at Leroy and Lewis and ran into our friend and chef Kevin Lee and his family doing the same! The purpose of the trip was to visit Proud Mary Coffee Roasters at their Austin cafe location to meet with our rep, taste coffee and food. Wow! We put Evoke up there with any place in the country for the quality of our coffee and consider Proud Mary one of the best - and now we know what the best tastes like. We also realize how bad Edmond’s water is (sorry guys, Austin’s is too) and how much water filtering equipment is needed to get the best taste out of coffee.

We had one of our best meals EVER at Este - like ever! ALSO has a Michelin Star and is considered a Mexican seafood restaurant. Every dish was full of flavor and the Chocolata Clam (chiltepín-lime broth, black pepper, Serrano) was exquisite. Basically clam ceviche served in a shell. The bone-in turbot, shishito-anchovy butter, salsa verde, chickpea sesame purée served with house-made masa tortillas for tacos was a delicious experience too.

We visited First Light Book Shop whose window was my inspiration for designing the window display at Bluebird Books. Just an eclectic, great-feeling indie bookstore with a gorgeous sitting area out front for reading, working or catching up.

Loved South Congress District! That’s where we’ll stay whenever we go back. We love Jeni’s Ice Cream and enjoyed a great lunch at Perla’s in the district too (Lobster Roll was bomb).

And Willie is King and so is the street art/murals! So, we agree - Keep Austin Weird and maybe we can all agree that weird is good?

35

1

Had a beautiful morning at church then spent the day cooking and enjoying being with our kids, granddaughter and parents. Easter egg hunting gets a little competitive with eggs filled with jelly beans and money tickets. Just love our kids and these special days together!

33

3

Emma 🩷 Emma 🩷 Emma 🩷

14

0