LaWanda and the Chow Hall
My Story
Originally from Chicago, LaWanda Hollister went to prison at the age of 17. During her 34 years inside, she received culinary arts training, and eventually used her creativity and passion for cooking to start what she called "Monthly Underground Cook Ups" selling lunches across the compound. And of course, she always sold out in hours! In July of 1996 she created, "DID YOU KNOW...? HOW TO COOK IT?", a cookbook made up of in-house prison recipes that taught the population how to use the food items available at the time to make delicious meals.
the Chow hall name
Once home in 2020, she turned her recipes into a catering business called "The Chow Hall". Inspired by the real chow hall inside prison, she chose this name for the sense of community and gathering that that place brought. It wasn't just a place to eat, it was a place to meet!
Now Home
Returning home in 2020, she is now the owner of “The Chow Hall”, a mobile live catering kitchen that serves institutionally inspired cuisine meant to bridge the gap and create conversation of understanding in criminal justice reform. She has cooked, eaten and served all of the recipes that were published in that original book, and continues to serve them to patrons of The Chow Hall!
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