Dear FareStart Community,
By now, I’m sure most of you have heard the devastating news that Chef Wayne Johnson passed away earlier this week after a brief illness.
His influence was profound, touching the lives of many people in and beyond FareStart and the culinary community.
Chef Wayne became a beloved part of the FareStart family shortly after he moved to Seattle about 25 years ago. During his time with us, he held a variety of roles, first as a volunteer and then as a staff member. In 2016, he became FareStart’s Executive Chef, then VP of Culinary Operations and finally Senior Advisor of Culinary & Community Engagement before he retired at the end of last year.
He believed wholeheartedly in FareStart’s mission and worked tirelessly to realize our work, supporting millions of meals to feed our community, helming at least 18 Guest Chef Nights and participating in countless fundraisers and community events.
Of course, Chef Wayne was so much more than a chef. He was a mentor to both staff and students, a community-builder and a generous and thoughtful colleague. He always found time to connect, listen and support people in their journey, allowing them to feel heard and respected. His legacy is one of compassion and love. He taught people not only how to cook but how to believe in themselves.
Chef Wayne was also a champion for our community. He used his voice, influence and network to advocate for social justice, saying “If we’re going to lift up a community, we have to do the hard work too.” He helped imagine and advance equity here at FareStart, starting a series of table talks for staff of color and eventually co-founding our staff equity council. He also expanded partnerships with chefs and farms of color that increased food security and opportunity. Chef Wayne will continue to inspire and inform our equity work moving forward.
He also gave much to the broader community, volunteering with Culinary Wonders USA to coordinate their first Minority Chefs Summit. Chef Wayne served on the King County Food Systems Advisory Council, working to support local farmers, and on the board of The Bronze Chapter, which facilitates families and youth of color in exploring the outdoors and nature.
Many of you have reached out about how FareStart will honor Chef Wayne and his legacy. We need time to plan and work with his family to determine what would be most meaningful to them.
In the meantime, his family suggests honoring Chef Wayne’s memory by donating to The Bronze Chapter and Black Seed Farm. Please join me in lending your generosity and support.
With gratitude,
Patrick D’Amelio
CEO
