Today we’d like to introduce you to Alanna Dennis

Hi Alanna, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?

Originally from Montgomery, AL, our Executive Chef Alanna M. Dennis is a 2004 Cum Laude graduate of the International Le Cordon Bleu program and a 1998 graduate of Alabama A&M University, where she joined Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Alanna has honed her skills in professional kitchens across Central Florida, including the UCF Radisson and Gaylord Palms Resort, and has worked with various catering companies at major events like the Disney Golf Classic.

Growing up, Alanna spent her time baking and cooking with her mother and grandmothers, using fresh produce from her grandfather’s garden. Her family’s dedication to community nourishment deeply inspired her. Her mother was known as “the cake lady,” her grandmother cooked for their church, and her grandfather shared his garden’s bounty with neighbors. These experiences instilled in her a love for good food and a sense of community.

Alanna’s Gourmet is committed to producing high-quality products using locally sourced ingredients whenever possible. Alanna employs various cooking methods to layer flavors, creating delicious gourmet foods. Our handcrafted products reflect our dedication to excellence and professional standards. Inspired by her roots, Alanna brings traditional “southern hospitality” to every dish, served with fresh, nutritious ingredients.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?

The journey has been quite bumpy, with many lessons learned as I navigated entrepreneurship and the culinary/hospitality industry in my city. When I first started my company, I focused on offering treats like cakes, cookies, and candies. At the time, we didn’t have a cottage food law, which came into effect early in my business journey. Gradually, I pivoted to offering private chef services, refining my business model and operations along the way. As a private chef, we specialize in private events rather than weekly in-home meal prep. This quickly expanded into catering larger events, necessitating a commercial kitchen. Existing kitchen spaces were expensive, so I initially sought to share a space, but this didn’t work out due to issues like employees eating my food and breaking equipment. Eventually, I moved into a small commercial kitchen space of my own.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?

As a private chef, I provide high-end restaurant-quality dining experiences to individuals and groups in the comfort of their homes or short-term stay locations. On the retail side, I am known for selling Bama Bred Puddin’ ™, along with a variety of soups, quiches, casseroles, pound cakes, and more from our gourmet to-go menu. Our dedication to utilizing local ingredients, producing the highest quality products, and embodying Southern hospitality sets us apart.

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?

I have an amazing support system. My mom, Janice Dennis, is my biggest cheerleader and first taste tester—my personal QA team! Beyond my mom, I’ve been mentored by many local entrepreneurs and startup incubators. I’ve benefited from several programs in partnership with the City of Montgomery, such as Builders + Backers, the SBA, and the SBDC. One such local entrepreneur, Boyd Stephens, periodically mentors a cohort of startups, guiding us through problem-centric solutions and the “fail fast” methodology using a one-sheet planner that addresses problems, solutions, customers, key metrics, minimal viable product, unique value proposition, and more. Builders + Backers provided valuable insights on product/service experimentation and included non-dilutive seed funds to test assumptions, helping me scale new products and services.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://alannasgourmet.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/alannasgourmetllc
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/alannasgourmetllc
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@alannasgourmetllc
• Other: https://contact.alannasgourmet.com