Maya-Camille Broussard

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Maya-Camille Broussard on the set of Netflix Bake Squad in 2020.

Maya-Camille Broussard is an American chef, author, and restaurant owner. She is the owner of Justice of the Pies in Chicago, Illinois, and was a 2022 finalist for the James Beard Foundation Award for Outstanding Baker.[1] Broussard is a featured pastry chef on the Netflix series, Bake Squad.[2]

Early life[edit]

Broussard grew up in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago. Her father, Stephen, and her aunt, Patricia Broussard, grew up poor in the housing projects on the West Side of Chicago, and experienced food scarcity, in part due to the expense of their father's alcoholism.[3] Though Broussard's mother and father attempted to give Broussard a more stable upbringing, she inherited a generationally scarce and toxic relationship with food. Her hunger and health worsened after her parents divorced and Broussard chose to live with her father.[4] This adversity inspires Broussard's baking and her community work.[4]

Broussard is hard of hearing. She lost 75% of her hearing in a childhood accident. Broussard learned English primarily through reading and attended speech therapy for many years. Broussard relies on lip reading to communicate.[5][6]

Broussard graduated from Howard University in Washington, D.C., with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. She ran Congo Square Theatre's educational outreach program from 2003 to 2008, teaching workshops in lower-income schools.[7][8]

In 2004, Broussard graduated from Northwestern University, her father's alma mater, with her Master of Arts degree in theater.[9] A few years later, Broussard's father was diagnosed with a brain tumor. He died in February 2009—just days before the opening of Broussard's first business, Three Peas Art Lounge.[9][10] On Christmas Day in 2011, Three Peas was destroyed by a flood.[11][12]

Justice of the Pies[edit]

Broussard is a self-taught pastry chef.[4]

In 2014, Broussard founded Justice of the Pies in honor of her late father, Stephen J. Broussard, a criminal-defense lawyer who was passionate about baking pies.[2][13]

Maya-Camille Broussard with her father, Stephen J. Broussard.

Broussard operates Justice of the Pies out of the Hatchery, a food-and-beverage incubator with over 50 private professional kitchens, of which the highest-profile occupant is celebrity chef Rick Bayless.[4] Justice of the Pies has sold pies to local grocery stores and farmers' markets. It also operates as a catering service.[14]

Book[edit]

In October 2022, Broussard released her book, Justice of the Pies: Sweet and Savory Pies, Quiches, and Tarts plus Inspirational Stories from Exceptional People.[15][16] About the book Publishers Weekly stated, “This deliciously loaded collection is a baker’s dream.”[17]

Community work[edit]

Mentoring[edit]

Since 2017, Justice of the Pies has been hosting an I Knead Love workshop several times a year. The course teaches children and teenagers from lower-income communities basic cooking skills, essential nutritional info, and how to cultivate creativity and joy in the kitchen.[18][19]

Legal aid[edit]

Justice of the Pies hosts a yearly "Pie Drive" to support Cabrini Green Legal Aid (CGLA). CGLA serves the legal needs that arise from lack of opportunity, criminalization of poverty, and racial inequity experienced within Chicago's Cabrini Green community. Broussard's dad often advocated for second chances and equality.[3][6] While a student at Northwestern University in 1968, Broussard's father and several Black students stormed the bursar's office on May 3, 1968, to protest the inequities Black students experienced at Northwestern.[4] The 38-hour sit-in played a pivotal role in the creation of the Black House and the establishment of the African American Studies program.[9]

Black Women’s Blueprint[edit]

Since 2020, Justice Of The Pies has been partnering with Baileys by infusing their desserts with liqueur flavors. The brand donated $25,000 to Black Women's Blueprint on behalf of Justice of the Pies during the holidays in 2020.[20]

The Love Fridge[edit]

Broussard regularly gives food to The Love Fridge, a community hub that provides food for low-income neighborhoods that are located in food deserts.[20]

COVID-19 pandemic response[edit]

Broussard experienced a decrease in demand for Justice of the Pies' treats and services as a result of COVID-19.[14] At the beginning of the pandemic, as hospitals were overwhelmed with patients suffering from COVID-19, Justice of the Pies provided food to frontline workers at John H. Stroger Hospital, Roseland Hospital, Advocate Trinity Hospital, and Provident Hospital.[14][21] Broussard chose to serve Stroger Hospital because it is the largest hospital in Chicago that sees the most patients who do not have insurance and because it services a lot of patients who have endured trauma.[22] The food was paid for by actress, Kerry Washington.[23][24]

George Floyd protests response[edit]

In June 2020, during the George Floyd protests, Chef Mario Santiago and Justice of the Pies provided chicken and biscuit pot pies to African American and Latino residents, to promote healing and unity, as well as fight food insecurity.[25] Justice of the Pies also provided meals to minority business owners who experienced property damage in South Side neighborhoods due to unrest over George Floyd's murder.[26]

Cannabis justice[edit]

In 2022, Broussard created her Peaches + Herb Cobbler, infused with a low dose of cannabis butter, to honor the work of Black women dispensary owners, Kika Keith and Kika Jr. from Gorilla Rx Wellness.[27]

Awards and honors[edit]

In November 2018, Chicago Magazine, named Justice of the Pies' bleu cheese praline pear as one of their Five Very Adventurous Pies to Try This Thanksgiving.[28] In November 2020, The New Yorker named Justice of the Pies' bourbon pecan pie in their list of The Best Classic Pies to Order Online.[29] In 2021, Broussard was featured on Today with Al Roker, teaching him and viewers how to make sweet potato plantain pie.[30]

In November 2018, Broussard was featured in Food & Wine's list of Bakers Who Are Changing Their Communities for the Better.[31]

In September 2021, Justice of the Pies was featured at Chicago Gourmet.[32]

In 2022, Broussard was a finalist for the James Beard Foundation Award for Outstanding Baker.[1]

In February 2023, Broussard was inducted into the Department of State's American Culinary Corps.[33]

Netflix's Bake Squad[edit]

Broussard has participated in sixteen Bake Squad episodes and won three challenges.[34][35][36]

Every cast and crew member wears clear masks while interacting with Broussard on the show to provide her with communication accessibility.[2] During the challenges, Broussard is aided by her enhanced sense of taste, smell, and sight, which she has gained as an adaptation to hearing loss.[2]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Canavan, Hillary Dixler (2022-03-16). "Here Are the 2022 James Beard Awards Restaurant, Chef, and Media Finalists". Eater. Retrieved 2023-03-06.
  2. ^ a b c d Townsend, Audarshia (2021-07-27). "Christina Tosi's Netflix Series Recruits Chicago Pastry Chef Maya-Camille Broussard". Eater Chicago. Retrieved 2023-03-06.
  3. ^ a b "This Chicago Chef Pivoted From Selling Pies to Feeding Frontline Workers". EatingWell. 2020. Retrieved 2023-03-06.
  4. ^ a b c d e "The Pies Are Masterpieces. Behind Them Is Maya-Camille Broussard's Fight Against Food Insecurity". Esquire. 2020-09-11. Retrieved 2023-03-06.
  5. ^ "Maya-Camille Broussard on Instagram: "I am hard of hearing. I've lost a little over 75% of my hearing and I rely on lip reading to communicate."". Instagram. Retrieved 2023-03-06.
  6. ^ a b "Entrepreneur runs booming pie business from Garfield Park incubator space". ABC7 Chicago. Retrieved 2023-03-06.
  7. ^ "Maya-Camille Broussard - Penguin Random House Speakers Bureau". 24 September 2021. Retrieved 2023-03-06.
  8. ^ writer, Anne Spiselman, contributing (30 August 2021). "Local pie maker bakes up a storm on the small screen". Hyde Park Herald. Retrieved 2023-03-06.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  9. ^ a b c "Maya-Camille Broussard". www.alumni.northwestern.edu. Retrieved 2023-03-06.
  10. ^ "Three Peas Art Lounge - Celebrating the Art in Life | Featured Articles". www.glossmagazineonline.com. Retrieved 2023-03-06.
  11. ^ Abel, Bernadette (2019-02-28). "Inspiring Black Business Owners: Maya-Camille Broussard, Founder of Justice of the Pies". Kapitus. Retrieved 2023-03-06.
  12. ^ "'There aren't a lot of chateaus in Chicago' - North Shore". digitaledition.chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 2023-03-06.
  13. ^ "Finding Forgiveness Through Food and Community". Oprah Daily. 2022-07-11. Retrieved 2023-03-09.
  14. ^ a b c "BUSINESS OWNER PIVOTS TO PROVIDE COOKING CLASSES". citizennewspapergroup.com. Retrieved 2023-03-06.
  15. ^ Broussard, Maya-Camille (2022). Justice of the pies : sweet and savory pies, quiches, and tarts + inspirational stories from exceptional people. Dan Goldberg. New York. ISBN 978-0-593-23444-0. OCLC 1347229932.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  16. ^ "Avec to Host Private Dining Experience and Book Signing with Maya-Camille Broussard". Chicago Food Magazine. Retrieved 2023-03-06.
  17. ^ Makhijani, Pooja. "Life Is What You Bake It: Cookbooks 2022". PublishersWeekly.com. Retrieved 2023-03-06.
  18. ^ Dumais, Eliza (2022-09-26). "All Rise for the Justice of the Pies". TASTE. Retrieved 2023-03-06.
  19. ^ "Chicago pie shop cooks up fun in baking videos for kids". ABC7 Chicago. 2020-04-16. Retrieved 2023-03-06.
  20. ^ a b "Maya-Camille Broussard Started Her Baking Brand In Homage to Her Father—Now She's Aiming For Social Change One Pie At A Time". Essence. 18 July 2022. Retrieved 2023-03-06.
  21. ^ "Emergency restaurant grant winners in Chicago say the money couldn't come at a better time". Chicago Tribune. 10 April 2020. Retrieved 2023-03-06.
  22. ^ "Chicago Defender of the Week: Maya-Camille Mobilizes To Deliver Meals To Hospital Staff". Chicago Defender. 2020-04-23. Retrieved 2023-03-06.
  23. ^ "Kerry Washington and 'Scandal' colleagues sponsor meals for workers at Roseland Community Hospital". Chicago Tribune. 28 April 2020. Retrieved 2023-03-06.
  24. ^ "Local baker mobilizes to support hospital workers with meals". FOX 32 Chicago. 2020-04-03. Retrieved 2023-03-06.
  25. ^ "Pilsen, Garfield Park chefs team up for unity between African Americans, Latinos in Chicago". ABC7 Chicago. 2020-06-06. Retrieved 2023-03-06.
  26. ^ "As unrest jeopardizes some reopening plans, Chicago black chefs have mixed emotions but remain focused on pain behind protests". Chicago Tribune. 3 June 2020. Retrieved 2023-03-06.
  27. ^ "Maya-Camille Broussard on Creating a Recipe for Cannabis Justice". 19 October 2022.
  28. ^ "Five Very Adventurous Pies to Try This Thanksgiving". Chicago Magazine. Retrieved 2023-03-06.
  29. ^ Richardson, Nikita (2020-11-16). "The Best Pies to Buy Online, According to Experts". The Strategist. Retrieved 2023-03-06.
  30. ^ "The secret ingredient in this sweet potato pie is a Thanksgiving game changer". TODAY.com. 2 November 2021. Retrieved 2023-03-06.
  31. ^ "Meet the Bakers Who Are Changing Their Communities for the Better—One Slice at a Time". Food & Wine. Retrieved 2023-03-06.
  32. ^ Selvam, Ashok (2021-09-27). "Chicago Gourmet, the City's Premier Food Fest, Makes a Pandemic Era Return". Eater Chicago. Retrieved 2023-03-06.
  33. ^ "Diplomatic Culinary Partnership". American Culinary Corps Members.
  34. ^ "Bake Squad (TV Series 2021– )". IMDb. Retrieved August 15, 2021.
  35. ^ Raphael, Shannon (2021-08-12). "Maya Camille-Broussard Is the "Flavor Fanatic" Pie Expert on 'Bake Squad'". Distractify. Retrieved 2023-03-06.
  36. ^ Wong, Alice (2021-11-02). "Interview with Maya-Camille Broussard". Disability Visibility Project. Retrieved 2023-03-06.
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