Meet Gingy / Chef Gee | Artist, Musician, Chef & Vocalist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Gingy / Chef Gee and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Gingy, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
I’d like to think, as a Black queer artist I help give a voice to some of the internal struggles that my people deal with. Hopefully while doing that I am able to lend some insight into how to deal with the aforementioned struggles or lift a veil off the eyes of those who aren’t aware of the persecution that Black people, queer people and/or Black queers are being subjected to. With the riots and protests of the recent years especially, not to mention the general sense of despair that can be found I think its important to offer a perspective that is more readily digestible than say a book on the subject. So as to keep the conversation flowing on how to fix said issues. I also believe my music and my food bring forth the positive, loving, encouraging and adventurous spirits that live within us all. Not forgetting that we are all amazing and beautiful creatures who deserve and are capable of love is one of my unspoken creeds as I’m crafting anything.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My music began as an outpouring of emotions and honestly that hasn’t changed I’ve just gotten better at cloaking it in metaphors. While poetry may have been the impetus behind my pen hitting paper, the people in my life (thank you Abi, thank you Ella, thank you Chelsea for my first notebook, than you to so many more) were the ones who told me I should be making original music. After being an open mic wanderer, I was introduced to my first guitar player, Dennis Baker, and the process for all intents was a whimsical project of cathartic healing that became more than me. I never set out to be the next anybody but myself. Someone who was hurting and hoped others could glean some sort of hope or help or understanding and benefit from it in a positive light. I only ever want to be a driving force for goodness whether that’s on a stage behind a mic or in the kitchen behind an apron. If I’m serving you food or serving you bars I want one to have to mull it over. Not swallow it down so quick. Digest it slowly and take what you can from it and hopefully it’s something that betters your life. Whether that’s on a small or a revolutionary scale.

There were definite times of doubt, of feeling overwhelmed, of feeling like “why would anyone care what I have to say, why keep going?” and I had to challenge myself to look those fears dead on and quash them. Not because I see myself as any great leader of the people but because I feel like if I can reach even one person. One person is all it takes to make the difference. And if my food, if my music, if my creative output can break through to them and mean anything more than a passing instance, then it’s worth the effort.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I love to support indigenous folks so Tocabe is my number one recommendation when it comes to restaurants. There’s a new place for vegans to dine late and enjoy drinks; Fellow Traveler. My good friend Sid has a delicious empanada venture beginning so if you’re near Larimer Street on the weekends and have a hankering for a tasty hand-pie, Crema Late Night is the way to go! Redeemer Pizza is right down the road and they have tasty pies. Realistically, Denver is a city with lots of restaurants but as a Chicagoan at heart, I root around to find the good bits and I’m not quite ready to give away all the hidden gems I’ve found thus far.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are many people who go through life feeling unsupported, cast aside, and simply forgotten. I am grateful to say I have never felt this way when it comes to pursuing my passions. Since a young age I’ve been prompted and urged to seek out that which inspires and drives me. My family in particular when it comes to my music and culinary pursuits, my mom, my Aunt Lisa, my Aunt Pam, my Aunt Kesha, my Aunt Karen; I could go on for hours listing all of the members of my family who regularly share my music and repost my culinary ventures. They listen to the old, the new, all the years past filled with my creative efforts, replaying and rewatching from afar.

In addition to my familial bonds, many of my teachers/professors til now have been a guiding light on my path towards becoming a professional vocalist and professional cannabis chef. My past is surely too littered with gracious folks who have only strived to provide me comfort, uplift me and foster my talents to list them all. From my elementary band director Mr. Coulter to my HS choir teacher Mrs. Johnston to my professional opera vocal coach Dr. D’ Agostino (who gifted me voice lessons sheerly from the power of believing in the strength of my voice) to my piano teacher Ms. Lu who took extra hours out of her busy schedule to practice with me… I am at no shortage of wonderful human beings who have launched my confidence and belief in myself, which furthered my career ultimately.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officiallygingy/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/geneva-riley-065a7b5a/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/YouGotGingy

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YouGotGingy

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfzNtxpQP9j99IZCWFuNhFA

Other: ReverbNation: https://www.reverbnation.com/yougotgingy?profile_view_source=header_icon_nav Bandcamp: https://officiallygingy.bandcamp.com/