Chef Rhonda Russell is an Executive Chef of Wine Arts and Winemaker, owner of Taste Collection Cellars. As the only African-American female to carry this title in the U.S. she works tirelessly to not only teach and educate and demystify food and wine lovers on unique flavor pairings and combinations she is also passionate on educating children on the love of good food. 

Chef Rhonda volunteers often at the Houston Food Bank and also teach the youth in Houston, Texas how to cook their own food using fresh, healthy and local ingredients. 

Born and raised in the deep food culture of Louisiana, it didn’t take long for Chef Rhonda Russell to discover her passion for food. Many of her best childhood memories revolve around food and days spend absorbing every bit of knowledge from her grandmother’s kitchen- and dishes, lot of dishes.

Rhonda’s passion for food ignited, and pursued formal training at the Culinary Business Academy in Rio Rancho New Mexico, earning the title of a Certified Personal Chef. Rhonda then began a career as a personal Chef in her city of Houston, TX with a particular focus on Creole and Cajun cooking. Shortly after, she began training at the International Wine Guild, completing her studies in Old World and New World wine regions, earning the title, Executive Chef of Wine Arts.

 Chef’s advanced knowledge of food and wine, she enjoys finding ways to bring out the superb taste in a wide array of food through colorful food combinations and inspired wine pairings. Her keen sense of taste, brought her to become a winemaker and create her own wine collection- Taste Collection Cellars. Chef Rhonda’s passion now is to educate and demystify both wine and the food that first sparked her imagination- Creole and Cajun cooking. Chef Rhonda is a member of the world-renowned United States Personal Chefs Association, James Beard Foundation, and the International Wine Guild as a Certified Wine Sommelier and Executive Chef of Wine Arts. Food Network’s “Cooks vs Cons” – Contestant (Season 2, 2016)

Our Story

KARIBU by Wachira wine lounge, is the home of Wachira Wines. This extraordinary vision and effort of Dr. Chris Wachira, the first Kenyan-born, Californian winemaker is located at 1419 Park Street in the heart of Alameda, CA. As a young immigrant, Chris fell in-love with the science of winemaking and developed a deep appreciation for the sense of community built from sharing a bottle of wine with complete strangers. Her story is about equity and the ability to succeed through adversity.
KARIBU is a Swahili word that translates to mean “you are welcome”. We have curated a community-based tasting room where a diversity of great but underserved wineries are highlighted and celebrated. KARIBU by Wachira features an assortment of wines from makers of color, women, and locals. It is a place where all are welcome! 

The creation of P. Harrell Wines has emerged from my long standing passion and appreciation for wine, from the smell of freshly picked grapes after a successful harvest to sampling wines in barrel, and ultimately indulging in the enchanting wine culture with others. I love all things wine because it is one of those simple pleasures that seamlessly intertwine people from all walks of life, creating genuine friendships.