At Secret Media Network, we are passionate about finding the best parts of our cities. Art exhibits, free events, and the perfect hole-in-the-wall restaurant are just some of the things we love to highlight. In honor of our mission, we want to showcase some of the incredible people behind the events and spaces we cover.
This leads us to the SMN100, a collection of people from across the United States who are innovating, creating, and redefining our cities. The SMN 100 list is divided into four categories: Arts and Culture, Experiential and Sports, Food and Drink, and Pioneers. Secret Media Network also wanted to hear from the public to nominate change-makers from their community for the list. The result is 100 incredible people from across the United States who are shaping how we enjoy our cities.
Keep reading to learn all about San Francisco’s representatives on the list, including James Beard winner Brandon Jew, and innovative vegan chefs Rheema Calloway and Ronnishia Johnson.
Brandon Jew, James Beard Award-winning Chef
The Secret Media Network 100 list includes some of the United States’ most influential chefs, so we had to include James Beard Award Winner and Michelin Star Chef Brandon Jew. Brandon Jew grew up in San Francisco’s Richmond District and eventually started working in restaurants in college before going to Italy for an apprenticeship in Piedmont. He’s worked at some of San Francisco’s most acclaimed restaurants, including Quince and Zuni Cafe, before opening Michelin-starred restaurant Mister Jui’s in 2016. Since then, Mr. Jui’s has become known as a must-visit restaurant in SF thanks to Jew’s modern Californian take on Chinese cuisine. The stylish restaurant expanded to include the Moongate Lounge, a beautiful bar serving craft cocktails above the main dining room. Brandon Jew’s excellence and innovation in San Francisco’s culinary industry make him valuable to the SMN100 list.
Rheema Calloway and Ronnishia Johnson (The Vegan Hood Chefs)
SMN100 also includes San Francisco chefs Rheema Calloway and Ronnishia Johnson, also known as The Vegan Hood Chefs, are whipping up delicious soul food—and the best part is it’s all plant-based. From Lakeview and Hunter’s Point, the chefs are passionate about building community and are using their culinary expertise to launch an initiative to help educate disenfranchised communities about healthy food. Calloway and Johnson launched The Vegan Hood Chefs in 2017 and have since gained recognition in San Francisco and the Bay Area not only for their delicious food but also for their work with community organizations, making them the perfect additions to the Secret Media Network 100.
SMN100 spans multiple cities in the United States, including New York, L.A., Chicago, and Miami. To see who else is influencing how we spend our free time, check out the rest of the list, packed with incredible people from across various industries.