Gus' Fried Chicken Chef DeWayne Gordon

On this episode of the ROCC Pod, presented by the Royal Oak Michigan Chamber of Commerce, we have a special guest, Chef Dewayne Gordon from Gus's Fried Chicken, located at the corner of 13 and Woodward. 

Chef Dewayne shares his inspiring journey from a career in IT to becoming a chef. His passion for serving people and cooking led him to work his way up from washing dishes to becoming a chef at Peas and Carrots Hospitality. When the restaurant he was at closed for remodeling, he transitioned to Gus's Fried Chicken, where he now serves as the catering and marketing director.

But what makes Gus's Fried Chicken truly special is its rich history. Chef Dewayne tells the heartwarming story of how the recipe for their famous fried chicken was developed by Napoleon Vanderbilt, affectionately known as Na, and his wife in the racially charged mid-1960s South. The community's love for Na's chicken led to the whole town donating building materials for him to open his first restaurant, which eventually became Gus's Fried Chicken.

The accolades for Gus's Fried Chicken are numerous, including a heartfelt love letter from GQ Magazine, naming it the best fried chicken in the world. They've also won prestigious awards at the National Fried Chicken Festival in New Orleans, a city known for its exceptional cuisine.

Chef Dewayne highlights the various locations of Gus's in Michigan and the extensive catering services they offer. Beyond the mouthwatering fried chicken, their sides, such as sweet collard greens, savory baked beans, and cheesy mac and cheese, add to the Southern dining experience. He also mentions other Southern classics like fried okra and fried green tomatoes, as well as their famous fried pickles.

Outside of work, Chef Dewayne enjoys an active lifestyle, including mountain biking, kayaking, and wake surfing. He also dedicates his time to a ministry that corresponds with incarcerated individuals, helping them overcome addiction.

Gus's Fried Chicken Website: https://gusfriedchicken.com/

Chef Dewayne can be reached via email at dgordon@peasandcarrotshospitality.com for catering inquiries.

You can also learn more about his ministry at https://www.ootmcministries.org/

Connect with our hosts:

Trish Carruth from The Personal Jeweler - https://www.thepersonaljeweler.com/

Jon Gay from JAG in Detroit Podcasts - http://www.jagindetroit.com/

Lisa Bibbee from Keller Williams - http://soldbylisab.com/

Learn more about the Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce: https://www.royaloakchamber.com/

Connect with our hosts:

Jon Gay from JAG in Detroit Podcasts - http://www.jagindetroit.com/

Lisa Bibbee from Keller Williams - http://soldbylisab.com/