Once I sat down at the dark wooden table, my eyes were drawn to the center of the table where spicy okra and handmade ravioli were artistically plated and placed with an edible purple orchid. Looking up at the warmly lit, open kitchen, my gaze met a smiley chef, the same one who catered for former President Bill Clinton, Steve Harvey, and Snoop Dogg.
Quentin Bennett, better known as Chef Q, is the well-renowned owner and executive chef of his restaurant, Q1227, named after his birthday, December 27th. Q1227 is located at the Roseville Galleria mall.
“I never really wanted to become a chef. But I fell in love with the camaraderie of the kitchen. It was chaotic, but it was so much order in that chaos,” Chef Q said. “It reminded me of the military.”
After leaving the Navy not sure of his direction, Chef Q started out as a dishwasher who found himself thirsty for knowledge. Now he is able to be the mentor he never had to his employees and indulge their culinary journeys by being a hands-on chef. Chef Q describes the relationship with his employees as working with him rather than for him.
“I earned everything that you see. So for me, if I can be the bridge that any of these culinaries want to cross over on, to come become better and greater, I’m proud to say I’ll be that guy.” Chef Q said.
As a part of his success, Chef Q won the Pepsi Dig in Challenge Contest which is a national movement to draw attention to US Black-owned restaurants. In 2024, Chef Q gained online buzz shortly after the contest for his creativity and innovations in culinary.
“ I don’t want to be known as an African American owned restaurant; what I want to be known as is a great restaurant that just so happens to be African-American owned,” Chef Q said.
Chef Q lives by and incorporates his philosophy, RICH, into his life, restaurant, employees, and customers, which he defines as a culture. The acronym stands for, Respect, Integrity, Commitment, and Hospitality.
“So the culture was to make everybody be on one page. I treat people the way I want to be treated when I go out to a restaurant and RICH is part of that,” Chef Q said.
In his long-term partnership with the Daughters of Zion Enterpryz, a nonprofit organization that clothes, feeds, and helps the disadvantaged people of the Sacramento region, he has volunteered and donated toward the hunger demand. Each year 10% of restaurant proceeds are donated to hungry families.
“Father figuring each aspect that he works in, whether it’s the nonprofit, whether it’s the job, whether it’s the church, just definitely looking out for everybody that is in his care.” Traci Bankston, the assistant general manager said.
In the future, Chef Q’s goals consist of promoting a line of spices, a cookbook, advances in the Q1227 catering department, and possibly a new location. Chef Q expressed that he doesn’t wish to be a “copy and paste” restaurant. While the locations will have a shared signature, undetermined at this time, each property will be uniquely different. These plans have inspired his employees as well.
“Stay humble. Trust the process. If you believe in it, you can achieve it. Just give it your all and just keep pushing forward,” the sous chef of Q1227, Shawn Jarriett, said.
Q1227’s menu celebrates modern comfort food by utilizing beloved family recipes with a twist. Chef Q, who obtains his ingredients within a 150-mile radius of his business, supports local farmers and ranchers. He relates to the experience of both being small-scale enterprises and constantly experimenting.
“People eat with their eyes… we’re artists. The plate’s our canvas, the food’s our paint.” Chef Q said. “Come listen to the journey. When I say listen to the journey, read the menu, follow the story, taste the food, and let that food hug you.”
