Tia Raiford

Title: Contributing Writer

Location: Brunswick, Georgia

Education: A.O.S. in Culinary Arts, Culinary Institute of America

Expertise: Healthy eating, African American cooking
- Co-owner of Strong Roots 9
- Senior executive chef at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing

Experience

As a self-proclaimed "First-Generation Northerner," Tia Raiford's exploration of food began at a young age, as she cooked alongside her mother and grandmother. She was born in Albany, New York, raised in Connecticut, and disconnected from the heart of the 120-acre watermelon farm of her grandparents and ancestors. However, that culture, food and sense of community are reminiscent of the traditions of Wetumpka, Eclectic and Tuskegee, Alabama, and the deep connection to food and farming from Alabama her family carried north during the Great Migration has manifested in her passion and commitment to teaching the health benefits and importance of the connection between food and the human experience throughout her career.

Tia, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America (where she met her husband, Matthew), has cooked in some of the country's top kitchens, including New York City's Oceana and Gramercy Tavern, leading to a role as senior executive chef at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. In 2006, she moved to Philadelphia to serve as the campus executive chef at the University of Pennsylvania, where she lived and immersed herself in the Philadelphia community for over a decade. This move ultimately led her to a career-changing role, building culinary and educational programs and experiences under the guidance of the USDA's National School Lunch Program as culinary director for Vetri Community Partnership. During her time as culinary director for Elior North America's K-12 division, Tia was able to impact over 100,000 students across the country by creating culinary programs, changing the face of school lunch from within, bringing culturally authentic meals to school lunches, and working to ensure that all children, regardless of their backgrounds, have great meals.

Tia and Matthew married in 2021, relocated to Brunswick, Georgia, and together they started Strong Roots 9 at Gilliard Farms, located on a 50-acre farm in Centennial, Georgia, that has been in Matthew's family since 1874. Strong Roots 9 is the first wellness omni brand for black and brown people. Tia and Matthew grow, cultivate and curate products, services and experiences that nourish the body, mind and soul.

LinkedIn: Tia Raiford