Dr. Maya Harris Johnstone and Dr. Kala Harris Johnstone, founders and CEOs of Foodchasers’ Kitchen, are twin sisters who are proud Philadelphia natives. They embarked on fulfilling careers in the Philadelphia public school system, where they served as passionate educators and administrators. After retiring as school principals, decided to turn their lifelong dream of owning a restaurant and their love for culinary adventures into a career.
They began by showcasing diverse dishes from restaurants around the world on their Instagram platform, FoodChasers. Their engaging content featured not just food itself but also suggestions on where to eat, which resonated with their audience. Through their animated storytelling and culinary recommendations, they became influential food chasers, inspiring others to discover new flavors and dining experiences. 
Growing up in Philadelphia, they were inspired by the rich culinary culture of their community and the power of food to bring people together. Despite facing challenges securing conventional financing from banks, Maya and Kala turned to crowdfunding, rallying support from family, friends, and their dedicated social media following. Their first restaurant, which was located in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania, quickly gained attention and popularity, thanks in part to their vibrant social media presence. Within just six months of opening, the restaurant attracted notable guests, including NFL quarterback Jalen Hurts, who filmed a Pepsi commercial on-site, marking a significant milestone for the sisters. As well as a visit from Salt and Pepa, their childhood heroes.
Beyond their role as restaurant owners, they are passionate advocates for children and community engagement. Since 2021, they have provided gourmet lunches to hundreds of Philadelphia school students with guests such as Jalen Hurts; First Lady of PA, Lori Shapiro; a local bank president; wealth advisor Lamont Brown; local chefs; and associates from Morgan Lewis Law Firm. They have also provided four scholarships to graduating seniors, paid senior class dues, and purchased prom tickets for students.  Maya and Kala have partnered with local Philadelphia basketball camps, The Chosen league and Rasheed Wallace and provided lunches for participants. Additionally, they have provided cooking classes to students.  Lastly, they hosted a girls' mentoring event where their mission was to ignite confidence and leadership potential among middle school girls.
Moving forward, they intend to create an apprenticeship at all of their Philadelphia locations to provide hands-on opportunities for local students to minimize potential systemic barriers they may face.  With a vision to expand their impact, Maya and Kala look forward to launching more community projects and opening restaurants in various venues such as stadiums, arenas, and airports. Their story is a testament to resilience, creativity, and the power of pursuing one's dreams while uplifting others along the way.