Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jay Evans. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Jay , appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to go back in time and hear the story of how you came up with the name of your brand?
When I came up with “Chef Jay Presents: The Exclusive Experience” I thought about the type of services that I provide. I want to ensure that all of my clients receive the best experience that is tailored exclusively to them. Whether it be a wedding for 200 people or a cake for 20, each experience is there to make my clients feel like they are heard and that we are a team in bringing their vision to life.
Jay , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I’ve been in the catering/cake industry for about 15 years. I started underneath my mother who owns Evans Catering when I was still in high school. I attended Herndon Career Center and competed in culinary competitions while also building a customer base. Shortly after high school, I decided to take a huge risk by joining the United States Army. I served over 9 years active duty prior to moving back to Kansas City in November of 2023. While serving, I continued to manage my business, traveling across the world to let new people experience what I have to offer and learn from other cultures and apply that to my business.
The one thing I am most proud of is how much my business has grown over the last 10 months since moving back. When I transitioned out of the military, it was scary. I knew that I wanted to focus on my business but I also knew that I had responsibilities and needed to work in order to mange those responsibilities. Working full time and running a business full time is definitely not for the weak. It takes dedication, passion, and patience to reach your goals and I’m living proof that with hard work you can make it happen.
To any future client out there, I want you to know that I will always give you 100% of me! No matter how small or big the job is, I want you to feel heard. I want to be able to bring your vision to life and provide you with the best quality work I can.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
One lesson I had to unlearn is that not everyone is going to support you and your business and that is OKAY. When I first started, I would get frustrated when I would see people close to me using somebody else to cater their event or provide their cake but in time I realized what is meant for me, will come to me. There is so much genuine support out there that you cant let a few people deter you from pursing your goals. You may not know who it is, but there is always someone watching and supporting your from the sidelines. Just keep pushing and stay focused and you’ll be successful.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
CUSTOMER SERVICE and PASSION.
At the end of the day, my clients are what are important to me. Without them, I would have no business so I make sure to provide an experience like no other. Everyone may not know who I am but those who do, know that I take care of my clients and that I choose quality over quantity.
Passion. I always say that if you are not passionate about what you do, don’t do it. I don’t look at my business as a job. I love being in the kitchen and I love seeing clients faces after they’ve tasted something I created. That feeling means more to me than any amount of money or popularity. I take pride in what I do and I hope my clients see that.
Contact Info:
- Website: evanscateringllc.com
- Instagram: king_of_kooks
- Facebook: Chef Jay Presents
- Other: TikTok: Chef Jay Presents
Image Credits
Esau Maldonado