After working at several restaurants across New York City, Chef Wenford Simpson opened his own restaurant “The Simpson” down the block from the Barclays Center.

He’s cooked for stars like Chris Rock and Robin Thicke, but Simpson finally got the chance to open the “The Simpson Restaurant & Bar” in November of 2020. After struggling with homelessness and growing up in poverty, he says he never imagined this kind of success.

"Just keep doing what I'm doing, but coming from being homeless and to see that I opened such a wonderful restaurant” Simpson said. “Giving back to the community and providing jobs for a lot of people."

Simpson has employed 50 people at the Atlantic Avenue location, and reservations are recommended on weekends. He is in the process of opening a second location in Miami.