Shinola and Jocks&Nerds came together to create a unique project exploring the importance of craft in the 21st century and how it can help build and shape communities both locally and globally.
Brad McDonald is the head chef at The Lockhart, London.
Where are you from?
I was born and raised on the edge of the Mississippi Delta in a small town called Yazoo City. I studied Literature at university but I left Mississippi to discover bigger, faster places.
How did you end up working as a chef?
Through a university assignment I met a local chef who had a national award. He offered me a job and I fell in love with the culture of that world – a world of self-refinement and constant learning as much as one of late nights and general debauch.
What makes your job special to you?
I love the hospitality aspect. You have to be well prepared but also work fast in the moment. It’s a high-pressure job, but it’s also hugely rewarding creating something wonderful for others to enjoy.
Is there a community aspect to your profession?
As a head chef, I am a link between farmers and suppliers and our patrons. Recipes aren’t simply a list of raw ingredients. My job is to honour the cultures and stories that go into making great food. At my restaurant, we make food inspired by the place I’m from. I like it when restaurants and chefs spend their time and effort telling the story of their culture and heritage.
Why did you come to Britain to work?
I had a restaurant in Brooklyn, New York until it was destroyed by Hurricane Sandy in 2012. After that I was offered some consulting work in London.
How do the UK and USA differ?
The pace of life in Britain is more reasonable by a long shot – that adds to one’s quality of life on the whole. In London, where I work, I feel a pleasant and constant gentle pressure to be very good at what I do. That, and things close down in London a lot earlier than in New York!
Why do you think there is a resurgence in craft in the 21st century and why is that important?
I believe it stems from a curiosity to know more about how things work and how things are actually made. It sheds light on the question of how we can continue to thrive within our communities by having a unique skill. Traditional skills are part of the toolbox that define and distinguish cultures and keep us moving ahead.
And how do you think traditional skills can be kept alive?
They must be practiced daily, so there is a repetitive aspect that requires respect and humility. But also confidence. Once you have a craft it can’t only belong to you – it has to be shared and appreciated. You hope that you become good enough that eventually others will be influenced and want to learn too.
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