Rising Stars: Meet Anthony Head of Dayton Riverdale Neighborhood

Today we’d like to introduce you to Anthony Head.

Hi Anthony, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Chef, Entrepreneur, Educator | Founder of Chicken Heads | “The Peoples Chef”

Widely known as The Peoples Chef is a nationally recognized culinary
entrepreneur, educator, and innovator based in Dayton, Ohio. He is the founder and CEO of Chicken Heads, a fast-casual fried chicken and bottled beverage brand known for bold Southern flavors with a modern, health-conscious twist. Through food, education, and entrepreneurship,
Anthonys mission is to feed his community body and soul while elevating Black culinary excellence and redefining fast-casual dining with authenticity, innovation, and impact.

Early Life and Education
Born and raised in Dayton, Ohio, Anthony overcame significant adversity in his youth, including the tragic loss of his biological and foster parents. A graduate of Colonel White High School for the Arts, he earned a football scholarship to Ball State University, where he graduated cum laude from the
Miller School of Business. He later took graduate courses in Workforce Development at The Ohio State University.

Business and Healthcare Career
Anthony began his professional journey in the corporate and healthcare sectors, working as a business analyst and consultant for over a decade. Passionate about improving community health,
he initially planned to pursue medicine, taking pre-medical courses and preparing for the MCAT while balancing career and family.

Culinary Evolution
Anthony’s passion for food rooted in childhood necessity and creative expression eventually led him
to enroll in formal culinary training through Sinclair Community Colleges ACF-certified program. He
quickly rose through the culinary ranks to become Executive Chef at DeLish Cafe in downtown Dayton, where he became known for his innovative takes on Southern and Creole cuisine. He
earned several accolades including Best Restaurant, Best Appetizer, and Best Overall Taste at the Taste of Miami Valley.

Teaching and Mentorship
Anthony has built a distinguished career as a culinary educator. He has served as an instructor at Miami Valley Career Technology Center, where he led the “Cooks Fast Track to Employment”
program, and later became Senior Instructor at David H. Ponitz Career Technology Center. His
job-ready training model shaped by his background in business, science, and culinary arts has helped train and mentor hundreds of students. He integrates food safety, nutrition, and entrepreneurial skills
into his teaching, often citing culinary arts as a form of public health advocacy.

Chicken Heads and Entrepreneurship
In 2019, Anthony launched Chicken Heads, initially as a carryout only and ghost kitchen concept before expanding to
current brick-and-mortar location located just north of downtown Dayton. The brand quickly gained a loyal following for its soul food-inspired fried
chicken sandwiches and commitment to quality. Head describes the restaurant as a love letter to Dayton and a symbol of reinvestment in underserved neighborhoods. Under his leadership, Chicken Heads has won:
– 2023 Best Chef & Best Fried Chicken Dayton Magazine
– 2024 Best Chef & Best Fast Casual Restaurant Midwestern Travelers Magazine
– 2024 Best Fried Chicken Sandwich Dayton Daily News
– 2024 Best Restaurant for Lunch Best in Ohio Business Awards
– 2024 Best Caterer & Best Fried Chicken Dayton Magazine

Media and Recognition
Anthony has been a fixture in local media for over a decade. He hosted the monthly cooking segment “Something For The People” on WDTNs Living Dayton, and has been featured in numerous print, podcast, and video interviews. His culinary contributions and community service were inspired by his participation in Michelle Obamas “Chefs Move to Schools” initiative.

Community Leadership and Personal Life
Known for his civic-minded approach, Anthony has used his platform to support initiatives that address food insecurity, youth empowerment, and neighborhood revitalization. He has supported
the Gem City Market co-op, after-school programs like West Dayton Strong, and numerous workforce development initiatives. A devoted father, Anthony balances his many roles with a
commitment to family and community.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
“The only ship that won’t sail is a partnership” After weathering the storms of a founding partner who sabotaged the first iteration of my company to surviving a contentious divorce from his cousin, the entrepreneurial journey has been rife with challenges. Our biggest challenge to date to working to get enough capital to renovate our headquarters.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I think I sum this one up in my opening answer.

I’m most proud of growing my business while prioritizing my fatherhood. While we’re just getting started as a company, I’m looking forward to growing my restaurant and it’s bottling service into a regional staple while investing in our communities by way of our “Egg Head” Early Learning Center and our non profit “In Their Best Interest” an organization whose intent is to provide resources for fathers who want to play an active role in their children’s lives.

What are your plans for the future?
We are currently working on renovating our regional headquarters in the city of our founding (Dayton,OH). An ambitious project, it will eventually allow us to compete on a regional level with some of the larger competitors in our space. As each iteration of our company thus far has proven that our menu and model works, this project will determine how big we ultimately become!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.chickenheadsdayton.com
• Instagram: chickenheadsdayton, chickenheadsdytn
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chickenheadsdayton
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/chickenheads
• Twitter: https://x.com/ChickenHeads16
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChickenHeadsDayton
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/chicken-heads-dayton-2
• Other: https://g.co/kgs/oK9bRjB