I remember when we called it “soul food” and it was quite acceptable to cook it, like it, eat it. If I had a Chef (fat chance) I think it would be perfectly acceptable to ask for soul food, just as it would be acceptable to ask for Mexican food, Chinese food, Italian food, etc. Leslie Uggams put out a heck of a cookbook years back, and to my great regret I lost it during one of my moves. The macaroni and cheese recipe she had in there was out of this world. That black Chef is just looking to make a fast buck instead of soul food.
He was probably offended by a suggestion that he prepare instant grits, rather than regular grits. No self-respecting . . . .
He was a sauce chef who was promoted. I don’t know how capable he was for the other duties.
I wouldn’t put a pastry chef in charge of the soups.
“Leslie Uggams put out a heck of a cookbook years back, and to my great regret I lost it during one of my moves.”
Google the title. You can probably find a copy from an out-of-print bookseller.