Chef Shonya “Chef Royce” Williams, the Chicago restaurateur behind Soul Prime, has died, according to reports and tributes emerging Monday. Her passing has prompted an outpouring of grief from people who knew her as a chef, entrepreneur, mentor and beloved presence in Chicago’s food community.
Williams became widely known as Chef Royce through her work building Soul Prime and championing elevated soul food. The restaurant’s own website describes her cooking as a blend of tradition and innovation, rooted in heritage, love and community.
Her journey as a restaurateur was marked by perseverance. Before Soul Prime, Williams had operated other food businesses and was forced to step back after serious health challenges, including a stroke. She eventually returned to the restaurant industry, opening Soul Prime in Lincoln Park in 2023 after years of working toward another opportunity to share her cooking with Chicago.
Chef Royce became even more widely recognized after food personality Keith Lee visited Soul Prime in 2023. His positive review brought tremendous attention to the restaurant, while his personal conversation with Williams and support for her business became one of the most memorable moments in the restaurant’s story. Chicago Sun-Times reporting described how the attention helped transform the restaurant’s fortunes and brought new customers through its doors.
Beyond the food itself, Williams was remembered for the passion and determination she brought to her work. She spoke openly about the challenges of rebuilding her career and remained committed to creating a place where people could experience soul food with creativity and pride. Her story resonated with many people who followed her journey and celebrated her persistence.
Her death represents a significant loss for Chicago’s culinary community and for the people who knew Chef Royce personally. The legacy she leaves behind extends beyond the dishes she prepared to the people she encouraged, the family and colleagues who supported her, and the customers who connected with her story.
As tributes continue to emerge, Shonya “Chef Royce” Williams will be remembered for the love she poured into her cooking and the determination that carried her through difficult chapters of her life. Her presence in Chicago’s food scene made an impression that will remain with those who knew her and experienced the food and hospitality she worked so hard to create.
