Meet the Founders

In the heart of Baltimore, where family, food, and community run deep, Craig Curbean and Dante Davis found their passion not in boardrooms or business plans but in the kitchen. Long before Taste This became a neighborhood staple, it was just two friends doing what they loved most—cooking good food.

There was no grand strategy, no blueprint for success—just a deep, natural love for the kitchen. Craig and Dante found joy in the rhythm of preparing meals, experimenting with flavors, and serving dishes that reminded them of home. It wasn’t about trends or chasing accolades—it was about creating meals that made people feel something.

What started as casual cooking sessions and word-of-mouth catering quickly turned into something bigger than either of them expected. The food spoke for itself—bold, soulful, full of heart—and people kept coming back. Before they knew it, their passion had outgrown the home kitchen, and they took a leap of faith, opening their first restaurant in the Hamilton/Lauraville neighborhood in 2014.

With Taste This, they didn’t just open a restaurant—they built a home away from home. A place where the food is made with intention, the vibe is welcoming, and the community comes first. Every plate is an expression of love for the craft, for the culture, and for the people who made their success possible.

Today, Taste This Restaurant & Catering stands as a testament to what can happen when you follow your passion. Craig and Dante never set out to create an empire—they just wanted to cook. But in doing so, they built something bigger than themselves: a brand that feeds the soul of Baltimore, one dish at a time.