Brian Wallace shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Brian, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
I lose track of time and find myself again when I’m surrounded by family. Whether it’s my brothers, my wife Paige, or my son—Lil Chef B, Bryson—they bring me joy and ground me in who I am. I grew up family-oriented, and I have my mother and my late grandmother Sheila to thank for that. They instilled in me the value of love, connection, and togetherness, and that’s where I truly feel at peace.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
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My name is Brian Wallace, but most people know me as Chef B, the face behind Pull-Ups Mobile Eatery. I built my brand around bringing bold, Southern-inspired flavors with a creative twist to the streets of Durham and beyond. From lamb chops and jerk chicken tacos to crab fries and steak bites, my menu is about more than food—it’s about culture, family, and creating an experience people won’t forget.
What makes Pull-Ups unique is the story behind it. I came up from humble beginnings, raised in Portsmouth and Richmond, where food and family were the glue that kept us together. Those roots, along with the influence of my mother and late grandmother Sheila, shaped me into the chef and community-driven business owner I am today.
Right now, I’m working on expanding Pull-Ups into catering, meal prep, and seasoning blends, while continuing to show up at local food truck rodeos and community events. For me, it’s not just about serving food—it’s about serving the people, giving back, and inspiring the next generation, especially my son, “Lil Chef B” Bryson.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
A moment that really shaped how I see the world was when I befriended a homeless man named E, short for Earnest, back in Richmond in 2009. He had lost everything chasing his dream, yet he still managed to smile through what I thought was turmoil. At that point in my life, I was trying to figure out my own next move, and I’d often bring him meals I cooked for dinner. E became a good friend—he even made sure I got back to my spot safely on nights I worked doubles.
What E taught me was life-changing: you can’t judge a book by its cover. Some books lose their color, some become damaged, but that doesn’t take away from their story or their value. That perspective stuck with me and shaped how I approach people, my business, and my purpose.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The fear that’s held me back the most is the fear of failing. Where I come from, you didn’t really have the option to fail—you had to make it, or you’d become another statistic of the system, either locked up or killed. It’s no joke where I was raised. My father did everything in his power to make sure we made it out, even if it meant risking his own freedom. Don’t let that go over your head. That kind of pressure shaped how I move, and it’s why I go so hard for my family, my business, and my purpose today.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
Absolutely. The public version of me is the real me. I might be quiet at times, but I’m a people person at heart. I love to laugh, and my love language is serving people. For me, serving good food at an affordable cost is like dancing with Whitney Houston while she’s singing “I’ll Always Love You”—perfect harmony. Me in the kitchen, and customers leaving full and smiling—that’s the sweet spot.
Every time someone tastes my food, it sparks a conversation about how I learned to cook the way I do. I always give those flowers to the ones who deserve them—my grandmother Sheila and my mother. They’re the foundation of everything I bring to the table.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
The story I hope people tell about me when I’m gone is that Chef B was the real deal—not just when the spotlight came, but even back when it was just me grinding and staying true to my path. My peers always said I’d be something, because I gave with the intention of the greater good.
I remember cooking for my boys—Justin, Peter, Mike, and Donnie—letting them critique my meals. Those moments shaped me. They kept me sharp, kept me loyal to the vision I had for myself. No amount of money could’ve persuaded me to take a different route. That foundation of honesty, loyalty, and craft built who I am today.
I want to be remembered as someone who stood on the true foundations of love, life, and freedom. Someone passionate about his people, unshakable in his beliefs, and relentless in his purpose. We could debate, we could disagree, but know this—I loved with every fiber in me.
At the end of it all, I want people to say, “Chef B was a different breed. A one of one. Upper echelon.”
Contact Info:
- Website: https://pullupsnc.square.site/
- Instagram: @Pullups__ME
- Twitter: @Pullups__me
- Facebook: Pull-ups Mobile Eatery
