Celebrity chef Tiffany Derry is set to open her third restaurant. This time, in DeSoto.
Per a release, the DeSoto City Council approved an economic incentive package from the DeSoto Development Corporation to bring Roots Chicken Shak to the city’s planned Hampton Road development project. Famous for Derry’s duck-fat fried chicken, Roots restaurants are operated by purpose-driven hospitality group T2D Concepts.
Founded by Derry and her business partner Tom Foley, T2D Concepts aims to bridge the gender and racial wealth gap in the hospitality industry through the power of good food and its social entrepreneurial business model.
The group’s partnership with the city of DeSoto is another actionable step toward achieving its vision of expanding the restaurant’s footprint to bring chef-quality food to underserved areas and ownership opportunities to historically marginalized community members.
“When a community serves as the host to a restaurant from T2D Concepts, they’re getting a company committed to nourishing the community and driving justice and opportunity for those who have been historically denied a seat at the table,” DeSoto Mayor Rachel L. Proctor said. “Aside from being a talented chef who has satisfied the food cravings of everyone from school children to President Barak Obama, we appreciate the fact that Tiffany together with her business partner, Tom, have tirelessly crusaded for social change and for creating opportunities for women and minorities.”
Roots Chicken Shak in DeSoto will be the third location and the first free-standing structure for the Roots brand, adding an option for drive-thru service. Guests can expect the same high culinary standards and service that are present at Roots Chicken Shak in Plano and Roots Southern Table in Farmers Branch.
The menu will be inspired by Derry’s Southern upbringing that utilizes locally sourced, fresh ingredients prepared with proprietary methods and spices. The star will be duck-fat fried chicken, of course, and be served in many forms – from wings and tenders to salads and sandwiches.
“We founded T2D Concepts to serve great food, deliver great service, spark meaningful conversation, and create community impact and we are thrilled that the City of DeSoto has embraced our mission,” Foley said in a statement. “We are honored to be part of DeSoto’s important redevelopment project and look forward to partnering with the Council to create great impact in the community.”
A native of Beaumont, Texas, Derry serves as a member of Les Dames d’Escoffier, and is a spokesperson for the James Beard Foundation’s sustainability efforts. Most recently, she was named a 2022 James Beard Award finalist for Best Chef: Texas and her Southern Table is a 2022 James Beard finalist for Best New Restaurant in the US.
Derry makes regular appearances as a judge and contestant on television shows including Chopped, Chopped Kids, Top Chef, The Great American Recipe, Beat Bobby Flay, Tournament of Champions, The Great American Soul Food Cook-off, Bar Rescue, Top Chef Junior, Top Chef Amateurs, and more.
