Help Us Open Rare Essence Carryout

Aim

Help Rare Essence Gourmet secure equipment and resources needed to open a community-focused carryout in Baltimore.

Rare Essence Gourmet LLC is a family-owned catering business based in Baltimore, Maryland, founded by cousins Joseph Shabazz and Tony Overbey What started as a passion for bringing people together through food has grown into a business focused on quality meals, community events, festivals, private catering, and memorable customer experiences.

Chef Joe brings decades of culinary experience and creativity to the kitchen, while Tony focuses on business operations, communications, and long-term growth strategy. Together, we’ve worked hard to build a business centered around flavor, professionalism, consistency, and community.

Over the past few years, Rare Essence Gourmet has catered private events, family celebrations, corporate functions, and community gatherings throughout the Baltimore area. We’ve also hosted curated dining experiences designed to bring people together through food and atmosphere.

The support and feedback we’ve received continues to motivate us to grow. Guests from our recent “The Rare Experience – Volume I” shared feedback such as:

“Overall everything was amazing and a great experience.”

“It was a nice event. I’d support again. Great job Tony and hats off to the chef.”

“The experience was really great and the food was really tasty.”

“The atmosphere was perfect. The hosts were great. I enjoyed myself.”

As demand continues to grow, we are now ready to take the next major step: opening a Rare Essence Gourmet carryout location.

Our vision is to create a welcoming food destination that serves flavorful meals while building something lasting for our community. We want to create opportunities for growth, future jobs, and continued community engagement throughout Baltimore and surrounding areas.

The funds raised through this campaign will help us secure the equipment, supplies, and startup resources needed to successfully open and operate our carryout. This includes:

• Commercial kitchen equipment
• Refrigeration and prep stations
• Cooking equipment and supplies
• Licensing and permit costs
• Point-of-sale systems
• Initial inventory
• Signage and branding
• Buildout and operational expenses

Every contribution helps move us closer to opening our doors and continuing to grow Rare Essence Gourmet into something bigger for our community.

We truly appreciate your support and belief in our vision.

This project closed unsuccessfully on 2nd August 2026