Hi everyone, welcome to Here We Are: Brattleboro’s community talk show. I’m Wendy O’Connell and folks from the community come on the show to talk about who they are and what they do. And today, with “two skillets and a dream,” Marcel Maxwell created 802 Soul Kitchen, a catering business offering big-flavor comfort food. Imbued with his generous spirit and unique recipes, Marcel spent this summer on a local Pop-Up Tour—from Gallery Walk to Old Home Days to the Guilford Fair. Today, he’s here to share how he came to the area, fell in love with food, and why giving back to the community is at the heart of it all.
Wendy: Hi, Marcel.
Marcel: How’s it going, Wendy? Thanks for having me.
Wendy: Thanks for coming on the show, because I know you’ve had a busy summer and you’re in the middle of a lot of catering things.
Marcel: Yeah, pretty busy. Pretty busy.
Marcel talked about carrying his kitchen with him—cooking at home or at St. Bridget’s kitchen, loading equipment, and setting up on-site for events. His team includes Kerianne, Jasmine, Kennedy, and Wendy (who’s helping him explore vegan options). Together, they’re expanding the menu and even dreaming up a new podcast idea: Soul & Vegan.
Food, for Marcel, goes back to his childhood in Jamaica Plain. He grew up watching his grandmother and mother cook, and soon was flipping pancakes and making patties for his friends. He first tried running a business called Wings and Things in 2017 before refining his vision. After losing his job and his mother, he turned fully toward building 802 Soul Kitchen as both a business and a way to heal.
His approach is all about flavor and soul:
“It’s not about race or color. Soul food is cooking from the heart.”
Marcel described himself as a picky eater—which means if he likes a dish, it’s got to be good. That emphasis on flavor is why people rave about his collards, yams, and ribs. He cooks many of his signature dishes without a recipe, seasoning “from the soul.”
Beyond cooking, Marcel has built a reputation for smart, grassroots marketing. He designs his own flyers, manages his social media, and engages directly with the community. He even started a Vendors Network, linking small businesses locally and across states to support one another.
Community support has been key. Marcel collaborates with local partners like Mocha Joe’s, The Root Social Justice Center, Suzu’s Farm, and Lilac Ridge Farm (where his collards are now sourced). His pop-up at Lilac Ridge, Creamies for Community Media, was a highlight of the summer—combining food, music, and fundraising for BCTV.
“It doesn’t take money to contribute. Just sharing a post can help someone find a meal.”
The interview ended on a sweet note when Marcel’s son, also named Marcel, joined the conversation. Young Marcel helps in the kitchen—putting cheese on the mac and cheese, taste-testing honey bun cake (a big seller at Mocha Joe’s), and enjoying time with his dad at events.
Wendy: Marcel, thank you so much for being with us today—for sharing about 802 Soul Kitchen, your life, and your role in the Brattleboro community. And thank you, Marcel, for joining us too—it was such a pleasure to have you here.
Marcel: Thank you.
Young Marcel: Thank you.
Wendy: Thanks to all of you for being with us today. It was a pleasure to have not just one but two Marcels here on Here We Are. Tune in again next week—and thanks for joining us.
