BEDFORD-STUYVESANT — Head for Bed-Stuy and go get a taco.
Jarobi White, chef and member of hip-hop group A Tribe Called Quest, launched “Tribe Taco Tuesdays” at Bed-Vyne Cocktail this summer, serving up an eclectic mix of food and beats.
The rapper started the event as part of his movement “Eats, Rhymes and Life,” which blends his culinary skills and love of music at pop-ups around the country.
“I call it the total hip-hop approach. I’ll cook at a spot and remix their menus,” White said. “It’s like going on a food tour.”
White, who lives in Bed-Stuy, cooks a rotating variety of tacos every other week with favorites like carne asada, pork belly, chicken and cod.
Menu offerings range from $2-$10, which foodies can pair with a $7 punch bowl from Bed-Vyne Cocktail.
The Halsey Street bar recently opened its backyard space, where White grills as local DJs set the mood for the bi-weekly after-work party.
Bed-Vyne Cocktail will host a lineup of local chefs this summer with a selection of Togolese-inspired cuisine, jerk chicken and Tex-Mex.
“The crowd in Bed-Stuy is becoming pretty diverse,” White said of Tribe Taco Tuesdays. “They’re coming in droves and people have been loving it.”
The 43-year-old pursued a culinary career after leaving A Tribe Called Quest in the early '90s. Most recently, he worked as a chef at August NYC and has also kicked off a summer BBQ series.
In between grilling, White is working on a solo project and second album as a member of hip-hop duo EvitaN.
Bed-Vyne Cocktail at 305 Halsey St. is hosting Tribe Taco Tuesdays on June 23, July 7 and July 21 starting at 5 p.m. For more information, visit the Eats, Rhymes and Life website.
