Chef Wic works to elevate healthy dining in Stone Mountain’s food scene
Chef Donnie Wicker, owner of Trend Urban Cafe, Guac Taco Studio and SmashD Burgers, has created a unique fast-casual restaurant in Stone Mountain, Georgia that focuses on clean eating, community and blending cultures, while pushing health consciousness. The post Chef Wic works to elevate healthy dining in Stone Mountain’s food scene appeared first on The Atlanta Voice.
Black News 
Chef Donnie Wicker, known as Chef Wic, fondly remembers the first time he fell in love with the art of cooking. Like many others, it began in his childhood kitchen, where he watched his grandfather whip up dish after dish in his North Carolina home. That awe of witnessing simple things like grease turn into a rich gravy sparked his interest and a desire to craft his own culinary journey.
Wicker now owns Trend Urban Cafe in Stone Mountain, Georgia, a fast-casual restaurant focused on clean eating, community, and cultural blending. He’s also the owner of Guac Taco Studio and SmashD Burgers, two concepts that sit alongside the Trend Urban brand. It’s an achievement 30 years in the making, a product of working his way up in the hustle and bustle of fine dining establishments and earning the title of restaurateur while in North Carolina.
When he moved to DeKalb County, he noticed the food scene, compared to Atlanta, was lacking. Just down the street, the area is popular with restaurant chains and fast-food spots, but Wicker knew he wanted to bring something different to the community.
“I thought the community would enjoy different concepts,” Wicker said. “The area didn’t have anything to correlate to eating healthier, so I put my own twist on fine dining and casual dining elements into fast casual, where we’re making things fresh and committed to providing a healthier choice around this area.”
Since 2019, Trend Urban Cafe has become a staple neighborhood spot where locals enjoy dishes that play on Southern classics, international cuisine, and vegan eats while pushing health consciousness. From southern catfish protein bowls and jerk salmon quesadillas to towering fried chicken sandwiches, and from cauliflower nuggets to soul chicken tacos with bourbon collards and creamy hot sauce, Wicker makes sure each dish is cooked as cleanly as possible and free of additives, while still boasting a creative flair.
“We take a lot of cultural foods, whether it’s Indian, Asian, Jamaican, and we bring them into one,” Wicker said. “Food is one of those things that never gets dull, and has so many elements to it, especially as a chef.”
With an open kitchen concept, it’s easy to spot Wicker moving through the kitchen as he helps his team prep orders. A sign that says ‘Watch me work’ sits above him as he plates a portobello patty melt. Plants that Wick tends surround the patio, and a TV encourages local businesses to display their advertisements. In the dining area, guests mingle and eat in seating designed to increase socialization. Above them, on the ceiling, the words ‘embrace culture’ are written.
“It’s humbling, and I’m just glad that I can be here and be an asset to the community, because that was the main focus… The community has received us well, and we certainly appreciate it by doing different things for them. We’re invested wholly. At the end of the day, we’re not just a restaurant, we’re an asset to the community.
“I’m grateful that I have a gift, and I just try to use it to better my community.”
The post Chef Wic works to elevate healthy dining in Stone Mountain’s food scene appeared first on The Atlanta Voice.
