In almost every kitchen Chef Omar Thornton has been in, there’s been drug use, heavy alcohol use, and addiction. But there’s also been joy.

Chef Thornton has been sober for over nine years. Before sobriety, Thornton’s state of mind was riddled with trouble and chaos, he says, and eventually manifested into outward commotion.

“If this is my rock bottom, I have to do something about it,” said Thornton. “My wife told me about a counselor in Face It TOGETHER and I called him. We made an appointment, and an hour after I got out of jail I was already at Face It TOGETHER.”

Face It TOGETHER is a nonprofit in Sioux Falls providing confidential, nonjudgemental peer coaching for those impacted by addiction, including loved ones.

Thornton says he felt safe to open up with his coach, and was then routinely held accountable for getting sober while finding and maintaining stability.

He has since come to see many successes, like being visited by Guy Fieri from Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives at his former restaurant O So Good in Garretson. Although recovery has many ups and downs, he articulated he still has faith in God, family, and himself.

Leading cooking classes at Cooks & Bakers Kitchen, Thornton has been able to share his cooking abilities with others.

On November 6, his cooking skills will be put to the test at Face It TOGETHER’s second annual Face It in the Fire culinary event where he’ll face off with another chef, Ryan Tracy, in a live, ingredient-specific battle. The event is not only an important fundraiser for the nonprofit’s mission, but also a celebration of local culinary talent.

Read more about the chef and his journey.

Creativity, and being able to take things from the farmers’ market and create a whole meal. I love reading and studying other people’s way of cooking. I’m a decent sauté cook, even though that was part of when I had my restaurant. Many flavors come from the sauté-type of way of cooking. I’m also a believer in layers of flavors—I build the plate up.

What’s your inspiration?

Bringing people together. I’m a man of faith, man of God, even Jesus himself. Just make some fish. Let’s get some bread. I think it breaks through a lot of cultural lines. The inspiration is really the experience, what I grew up with, bringing people together through different flavors and different tastes.

What’s your number-one piece of advice for someone needing addiction guidance?

You have to be ready. If you are not ready, no matter what, you’re fooling yourself. No matter what you do, it is not going to work. It might work a little bit, and all of a sudden, you’re right back to the same thing. Be ready.

Do you have any favorite places in Sioux Falls?

Tarquin Argentinian Restaurant is a really nice place. I love Crawford’s, Parkers Bistro… I love going to Swamp Daddy’s Cajun Kitchen. Sanaa’s (Gourmet Mediterranean) is also an excellent place to go.

For more information, visit WEFACEITTOGETHER.ORG+
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