Fueled by an intrinsic sense of curiosity and a passion for learning, Douglass Williams dreamed of becoming a history teacher as a child. A native of Atlantic City, New Jersey, his path shifted dramatically when he was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease—a challenge that led him to explore healing through food. Now in remission, Douglass has built an impressive culinary career, working and staging at some of the finest restaurants across the U.S. and around the globe, from Thailand to Paris to New York City.

At the age of 24, he launched Culinary Breakdown, a private chef and cooking class company. Today, he is the Owner and Chef of MIDA restaurants in Boston’s South End, Newton, and East Boston, as well as APIZZA and DW French in the city’s bustling Fenway neighborhood. As the owner of Boston’s only Black chef-owned restaurant, Douglass continues to merge his passion for storytelling and teaching by fostering community through food and meaningful conversation.

He lives in Newton, Massachusetts, with his wife, Debra, and their twin boys, Raffa and Lev.