Food has always been more than just a meal for Rashe Malcolm—it’s been a tool for connection, empowerment, and change. As the owner of Rashe’s Cuisine and the founder of two local nonprofits—Farm to Neighborhood and The Culinary Kitchen of Athens—Rashe has used her culinary skills to nourish both people and the community.

Her journey began in high school, when she launched Rashe’s Cuisine as a home-based catering business. With no formal training but plenty of heart, she cooked for neighbors and parties, often charging only what people could afford. “People think I do that to discount myself,” she says. “But I do that because I get it. I understand.” That understanding would become the foundation of everything she built.

Rashe’s Cuisine operated for years as a catering business until a health scare in 2014 pushed her to open a full restaurant. She poured her savings into a brick-and-mortar location—first on Tallassee Road, then on Vine Street after a flood damaged the original site. With support from property owner Isaiah Ellison, the move to Vine Street became a turning point. Rashe not only continued serving meals through her restaurant and food truck—she also stepped into a larger role as a community leader.

When Ellison retired, he offered Rashe the chance to take over ownership of Triangle Plaza—a culturally rich but often overlooked corner of Athens. She said yes. Now, as its owner, she’s using the space to create opportunities for other entrepreneurs, many of whom simply need someone to believe in them.

With that same spirit, Rashe launched The Culinary Kitchen of Athens to support local farmers and food vendors—especially those who struggled during the winter months when farmers markets closed. What started as a seasonal pop-up has grown into a thriving platform for vendors to sell goods, raise funds, and build community. And she’s just getting started. Her long-term vision includes opening a permanent space where The Culinary Kitchen can operate year-round and expand its impact.

Through Farm to Neighborhood, Rashe is also tackling food insecurity head-on. The nonprofit distributes fresh food in underserved areas, educates families on healthy eating, and runs the HEALTHYouth Program, which introduces young people to careers in the food industry.

Rashe’s efforts have not gone unnoticed. She was awarded the Arts in Community Award, which she used to launch the Classic City Art Crawl, a series of community events celebrating the small businesses of Triangle Plaza. These events highlight not just what the vendors sell—but who they are and how they serve Athens.

In 2024, Rashe Malcolm expanded her community leadership by running for Athens-Clarke County Commission in District 6. Backed by Mayor Kelly Girtz and Farol NeSmith, Malcolm’s campaign focused on economic growth through small business development, infrastructure investment, and public safety rooted in community trust. Though it was her first time running for office, Malcolm brought years of experience as a local business owner, nonprofit founder, and civic leader—serving as chair of the ACC Industrial Development Authority, a board member of the Athens-Area Chamber of Commerce, and a member of the East Athens TAD Committee.

Her candidacy was a natural extension of the work she’s been doing for years: building pathways, uplifting voices, and fighting for a more equitable Athens—one plate, one project, one policy at a time.

Behind every initiative is Rashe’s relentless belief in people and possibility. Her work is deeply rooted in the community, fueled by lived experience, and guided by a mission to lift others as she climbs.

“There were some doors of opportunity that were presented to me,” she says, “but it was because I built my own table.”

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Want to support Rashe’s work?

• Donate to Farm to Neighborhood
• Visit Rashe’s Cuisine to eat at the restaurant
• Learn more about The Culinary Kitchen of Athens

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Tags: Rashe Malcolm, Athens GA, Rashe’s Cuisine, Farm to Neighborhood, Culinary Kitchen Athens, Food justice, Community food, Local nonprofit, Black-owned business, Food entrepreneur, Food truck Athens, Healthy food access, Classic City Art Crawl, Food insecurity, Local food leader