Nov 23, 2016 09:10 AM EST By Audri Taylors, UniversityHerald Reporter

Two black men who were former gang members Malachi "Chef Spank" Jenkins and Roberto "News" Smith have made a decision to invest in the food industry with the use of their cooking and networking skills, which led to the creation of Trap Kitchen.

Jenkins attended culinary school in Le Cordon Bleu in Las Vegas while he was 22 and met Smith from a rival gang when he returned home to Compton. Their unlikely tandem is so unique because one is a Blood and another one is a Crip, but they did not let that get in the way of being able to successfully work together.

"We went from hanging in the clubs and messing with them girls to hanging in the kitchen and messing with food," Smith said in an interview in January with Munchies, the food section for Vice.

The Trap Kitchen started when they shared a picture of their very first meal in the social media. It was an enchilada pie that they posted on Instagram and was sold out. It was because of Smith's skills in monetization and Jenkin's vast social media network. It was the first major earnings of their business where they got $300 and led to the opening of their business Trap Kitchen. The name of the business actually stands for "take risks and prosper."

Manager Nisa Ahmad says, "The team wants to continue empowering themselves and their community by using b-street logic and economics while promoting a positive message."

Their business continues to grow after three years with now four members in the team: Jenkins, now 29, Smith, now 31, friend and delivery coordinator Kevin "DJ Kevvy Kev" Burton, 27, and Manager Nisa Ahmad. Their business is not just limited to Compton but has now gained the attention of celebrities like Tyga, The Game, Kendrick Lamar and more.

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