4 minute read
Carl WATTS
Story By: Annissa Brockington
Not all men are destined to lead or serve. However, those that do have an unshakeable calling and make a lasting impression on the lives that they touch. Carl Watts, Founder, Owner, and Executive Chef of the Underground Kitchen, is one such man. As a high school student, Carl never imagined becoming a restaurateur and resuscitating urban cuisine within the same community where he was raised. Carl describes his high school years as a bit rough, and as a result, he limited himself to only two options post-graduation ― serve in the military or pursue entrance into the Police Academy.
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Needless to say, destiny would have its way. Carl attended and completed Sante Fe Community College’s Public Safety Program in 2010. Shortly thereafter, Watts was hired by the Gainesville Police Department (GPD) where he worked as a Gang Intervention Specialist for five consecutive years and assisted with the Reichert House Youth Academy (RHYA) Program.
RHYA, which provides services to assist at-risk youth with achieving a lifestyle free from drug abuse, violence, and incarceration, was a near and dear program to Watts. As a former graduate of the program, Carl had first-hand knowledge and experience in the program’s overall effectiveness and positive outcomes with troubled youth throughout the Gainesville community. Although this presented Carl with an opportunity to give back to the community that helped redirect his path, he recognized that his true passion and purpose in life had not yet been fulfilled. Carl dreamed of one day owning his own restaurant and highlighting Black and Brown culture and its colorful, heartfelt food. However, he knew that his dream of owning his own restaurant could not be accomplished without gaining experience within the restaurant industry. So in 2015, Watts decided to take a leap of faith (with his partner’s full support) and secured a dishwashing job with the Blue Gill Restaurant. Unimaginable to Watts, this leap of faith turned out to be one of the most pivotal milestones in his life.
No stranger to humble beginnings, Carl navigated his way through the food chain. Over the span of six years, he would master each role from dishwasher to line cook, and ultimately land the role of kitchen chef (responsible for a crew of 16 employees). However, as a young leader, Carl admits that his skillset placed him in environments that his mindset was not yet mature enough to manage. In spite of these challenges, Carl did not lose hope.
With years of experience under his belt, a supporting mentor, and savings intact, it wouldn’t be long before fate would come knocking once again. In 2019, COVID hit the U.S. with a vengeance. Within two days, Blue Gill was forced to close its doors and 85% of its staff was laid off. Holding true to the philosophy that “you don’t abandon what you believe,” Watts credits COVID for the opening of his restaurant and his expanded efforts throughout the community. “COVID forced me to break away from my comfort zone and allowed me to address not only an educational but also a cultural gap within our community.” Watts believed that soul food and its associated history were on the brink of extinction in Gainesville. His restaurant business model is centered around the idea of creating and offering high-quality, culturally-infused cuisine to the Gainesville consumer. Carl also believed that it was important to continue paying it forward by recruiting and hiring youth from the Reichert House Program and arming them with the knowledge and skills needed to support themselves and their future families.
Grounded on the principle of “food is freedom,” the Underground Kitchen opened its doors in 2019 and the Empowerment Chefs initiative was formed shortly thereafter. However, opening during a time of uncertainty came with its own set of challenges. While many may have thrown in the towel, Watts heeded the call (to serve and lead). The community that once saved Carl now needed saving. It was without hesitation that Carl made the decision to withdraw his remaining savings and use the funds to donate free meals to those in need throughout the Gainesville community. It wasn’t long before others moved by his efforts joined the initiative. By week seven, over 9,100 meals had been prepared and donated to families in need. “If you’ve ever been a recipient of a blessing, you should feel compelled to bless someone else. We’ve (my fellow chefs) been granted this gift from above without penalty. Our patrons have supported us for years. Here’s our opportunity to support them.”
Watts feels that a leader should train with the goal of having the trainee to one day fill their shoes. “A leader should capitalize on those teachable moments and relish in the fact that others will excel as a result of their influence.” Watts lives by the motto “a man’s word is his bond” and equates most of his success to the practice of doing what you say you’re going to do. Many can attest that Carl not only talks the talk, but also walks the walk. In fact, Watts was recently nominated and featured as one of Gainesville’s Hometown Heroes as a result of the community outreach efforts through his Chef Empowerment free meal program. Carl identifies his 12-year-old daughter as the person who has had the biggest impact on his journey to success. “She is a daily reminder of why I need to make a difference and build a generational pipeline. She is the future.”
“Each of us have purpose, we just have to commit to finding out what it is. I now know that I was called to make the world a better place, one morsel/ bite/meal at a time.”
