Anytime you hear about two rival gang members coming together, it’s met with some trepidation; but Malachi Jenkins, former crip, and Roberto Smith, former blood, came together to make something worth fighting for – TrapKitchen LA.
In 2013, a mutual friend introduced Jenkins to Smith and the rest was history. Despite their pasts and allegiances to competing gangs, they both agreed that they were tired of the “fast life” and desired to take their lives in a more positive direction.
The catering service provides a variety of cuisine options for prices that will not break the bank. They pride themselves on the motto, “Five star restaurant meals without the five-star prices.” Jenkins, also known as “Chef Scrappy,” attended renowned culinary school Le Cordon Blue and his love of cooking made him want to share his gift with his community. Jenkins began sharing his creations on Instgram and before they knew it, people were making orders and TrapKitchenLA was in business.
Smith said he is grateful to be able to have something substantial to focus on, which keeps him off the streets. And the duo hopes to be able to provide that sense of relief for more men within their community by hiring them to help deliver food orders.
“We want to give friends from the neighborhood…just to come and give them a positive outlook on life, to show them that ‘you can make the same amount of money selling drugs, selling food,” Jenkins said.
While being interviewed by Vice, Jenkins and Smith recalled a time an undercover cop pulled over one of their customers assuming an illegal transaction had just taken place. The police officer proceeded to search the customer and their car but the only signs of trapping he found was that TrapKitchenLA cuisine.
So what’s next for this booming catering business? They one day hope to open a restaurant location where their customers can walk-in, lounge in a welcoming atmosphere and of course dig into some amazing dishes.
