Fernay McPherson

Chef-Owner Fernay McPherson founded Minnie Bell's Soul Movement in 2010, bringing authentic home-style Southern flavors to the San Francisco Bay Area. Born and raised in San Francisco's historic Fillmore district—a neighborhood shaped by families who migrated from the Deep South—McPherson draws deep inspiration from her roots.

Before her culinary career, McPherson served the City of San Francisco as a paraprofessional for the SFUSD and a Transit Operator for the SFMTA. Her commitment to her community continues through her service on the Fillmore Action Plan Steering Committee and her past role on the board of the nonprofit kitchen incubator, La Cocina.

The Minnie Bell's story began at the Ella Hill Hutch community center with youth cooking classes and local catering. After receiving a food truck through the Fillmore Mobile Food Program and operating a kiosk in Emeryville for seven years, the brand returned to its roots on Fillmore Street in 2024.