SUMMER SUBWAY SERIES

JUNE 18 | CHRISTOPHER MARTIN

CMARTY'S JERK CHICKEN

Chef Christopher Martin is the founder of CMarty’s Jerk, a Brooklyn-based pop-up known for its bold, modern take on Caribbean cuisine. A son of Jamaican immigrants and a former civil engineer, Chris turned his passion for cooking into a full-time venture in 2019. Operating out of King Tai Bar in Brooklyn several nights a week, he serves signature dishes like jerk chicken tacos and jerk chicken banh mi, all prepared over an open charcoal flame in homage to traditional Jamaican techniques.

JUNE 25 | CHEFS SHELLY & JATAUN FLASH 

2 GIRLS & A COOKSHOP

Chef Shelly Flash is the co-founder of 2 Girls & a Cookshop, a beloved Brooklyn-based "click & mortar" business she runs with her daughter, Jataun. As a first-generation Jamaican American, Chef Shelly is known for her bold Jamaican tacos and vibrant diasporic street food, which have earned her national attention of Forbes and the New York Times and appearances on MasterChef, The Great Food Truck Race, and Chopped. Her food blends Caribbean heritage with creative flair, making her a standout in NYC’s culinary scene.

JULY 2 | CHEF GLADYS SHATOU 

SAMBUXA NYC

Chef Gladys Shahtou is the founder of Sambuxa NYC, a beloved pop-up and catering concept that helped introduce Sudanese cuisine to New York’s street food scene. Born in Khartoum and raised in Queens, she draws from her multicultural background to create dishes like sambuxa, crispy, savory pastries, and traditional Sudanese stews and salads. Since launching in 2018, she’s become a regular at Smorgasburg and Queens Night Market.

JULY 9 | CHRISTIAN MARCANO

CHEF DE CUISINE AT METROPOLIS BY MARCUS SAMUELSSON

Chef Christian Marcano, a Bronx native of Puerto Rican descent, began his culinary journey at 14 as a busboy at a local bistro. Though he hadn’t planned to work in restaurants, covering a shift led to a free dinner for his family – a moment that sparked his passion for the industry. Over the years, he worked in a range of kitchens, from diners to Michelin-starred and vegan restaurants, gaining experience in both front and back of house. In 2020, during the height of the pandemic, Christian was diagnosed with Stage 2 cancer and faced serious challenges. Still, his resilience led him to start Empanada Eleven, selling to friends and neighbors to make ends meet. A batch made for his cousin’s restaurant staff impressed the owner, and Christian’s story was soon featured in Eater, celebrating his journey. Today, he is healthy, cancer-free, and working to make his dream of launching an empanada food truck a reality.

JULY 16 | MONIQUE CADAVONA 

MAMAGUAVA NYC

Chef Monique Cadavona, a Hawaii-born chef of Filipino descent, brings the vibrant flavors of Hawaii to New York City through her culinary ventures, Mama Guava NYC and Kalihi. Drawing inspiration from her upbringing in a large Filipino family and the diverse cultures of Honolulu, where food was a central element of connection, Monique developed a deep appreciation for cooking from a young age. Her culinary offerings include dishes like mussel poke tacos and black bean lobster pancit, reflecting her commitment to sharing the soul of Hawaii cuisine with a broader audience.

JULY 23 | NICK AND KAREN HARTANO

WAWAHS

Nick and Karen Hartano are the culinary team behind Wawahs, a Chino-Latino pop-up inspired by their shared heritage and extensive experience in Michelin-starred kitchens. Meeting as line cooks in New York, they combined their talents and cultural backgrounds to craft a menu that blends Chinese and Latin flavors with a modern twist. As regular vendors at Queens Night Market, Nick and Karen are passionate about celebrating their fusion cuisine and serving their community through vibrant, flavorful meals.