We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Patria Webster. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Patria below.

Patria , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

The biggest risk I’ve ever taken was to keep going.

Being an entrepreneur for over five years has given me some incredible moments big wins, happy clients, and exciting opportunities. But the truth? The hardest moments almost took me out. There was a point where sales were booming, and I was getting back-to-back orders. On the surface, it looked like success. But behind the scenes, it was chaos, burnout was creeping in, my business operations weren’t keeping up, and things like accounting and client response times started slipping through the cracks.

I had two choices: walk away and find stability in a traditional job or double down and build something that could actually sustain long-term success. I chose the latter. But it wasn’t just about fixing business processes, it was about fixing me. I had to commit to my health and wellness, get disciplined in all areas of my life, and most importantly, trust God through the process.

The risk? Betting on myself. The reward? I’ve created the systems to streamline my business, I’m hiring interns and employees to scale, and I’m stepping into a space where I feel truly welcomed. Entrepreneurship isn’t just about making sales- it’s about building something that lasts.

I learned that real success isn’t just about talent or hard work, it’s about adaptability and the courage to keep going, even when things get tough. That’s what separates entrepreneurs who thrive from those who burn out.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

If there’s one thing you should know about me, it’s this: I love food, and I love creating experiences that bring people together.

I’m the founder of Scratch by Patria LLC, a culinary brand that’s all about making bold, flavorful, and memorable food experiences. Under this umbrella, I run three distinct but deeply connected brands:

Patria’s Kitchen – My catering business, where I create custom, high-quality meals for events of all sizes.
Goodies – My all-natural baby food brand, introducing little ones to diverse flavors from an early age.
Messy Belle – My ghost kitchen concept, serving up Southern-inspired sandwiches and over-the-top, indulgent milkshakes.
Each of these brands represents a different side of me—Patria’s Kitchen is my roots, Goodies is my mission, and Messy Belle is my playful, creative side.

How I Got Started & Why I Do What I Do-
Food has been my world for as long as I can remember. I spent over a decade in fine dining, learning firsthand what it takes to create exceptional meals and unforgettable hospitality experiences. But I knew I wanted more—I wanted to build something of my own.

That’s when Scratch by Patria was born. It started with catering, creating intimate, customized dining experiences for private clients and over time, it evolved into a multi-brand culinary business that allows me to bring food to people in different ways.

I’ve built my business from the ground up, and trust me, it hasn’t been easy. There were moments where I thought about quitting, but instead, I bet on myself, refined my processes, built a team, and kept pushing forward. Now, I’m creating not just food, but an empire, one that is focused on quality, community, and creative expression through food.

What I Offer & The Problems I Solve-
No matter which of my brands you interact with, the goal is always the same: to make food that connects, inspires, and satisfies.

Patria’s Kitchen (Catering): Solves the problem of boring, impersonal event food by offering fully customized, high-quality catering that brings a restaurant-level experience to any occasion. Whether it’s a corporate event, private dinner, or wedding, my team and I deliver meals that are thoughtfully designed, made from scratch, and tailored to each client’s vision.

Goodies (Baby Food): Solves the problem of bland, repetitive baby food by offering nutrient-rich, culturally diverse flavors that help parents raise adventurous eaters from the start.

Messy Belle (Ghost Kitchen): Solves the problem of flavorless, uninspired fast food by delivering bold, indulgent Southern-style sandwiches and shakes that are pure comfort, pure fun, and pure messy deliciousness.

What Sets Me Apart-
What makes me different? I don’t do generic. I don’t do “good enough.” Every meal, every dish, every concept I create is intentional, full of flavor, and designed to leave an impact.

But beyond just food, I think what really sets me apart is my understanding of the experience. I’ve worked on the service side, I’ve worked in the kitchen, and I know that great food is only part of the equation, the energy, the presentation, the way it makes people feel, THAT is what creates real magic.

I also bring a strong business mindset to the culinary world. I’ve built this company from scratch, I’ve created systems that work, and I’m constantly evolving because food trends change, client needs shift, and I believe in staying ahead of the game.

What I’m Most Proud Of-
I’m proud that I didn’t quit. I’m proud that I took a risk on myself and built something that not only feeds people—but also inspires and connects them.

I’m proud that I’m growing, expanding, hiring a team, and building a brand that’s bigger than just me. And most of all, I’m proud that every bite of food that comes out of my kitchen carries flavor, passion, and a story.

What I Want People to Know-
If you’ve made it this far, here’s what I want you to take away:

✔ If you need catering that actually WOWs your guests, I’ve got you covered with Patria’s Kitchen.
✔ If you’re a parent who wants better, healthier, and more flavorful food for your baby, Goodies is here for you.
✔ If you love big, bold, messy, delicious food, Messy Belle will be your new obsession.
✔ If you’re a fellow entrepreneur, food lover, or creative, let’s connect—I love sharing my journey, learning from others, and collaborating with people who are passionate about what they do.

I’m just getting started, and I can’t wait to keep growing and sharing this journey with the world.

Follow along, grab a plate, and let’s make some magic together.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

For the longest time, I was really bad at asking for help. Not just reluctant but like, full-on I’ll-break-my-back-before-I-admit-I-need-assistance bad.

The Backstory: Why I Struggled to Ask for Help-
Growing up, I heard the word “no” way too often. So much so that I started internalizing the idea that if I asked for something, I’d probably be shut down. Over time, that turned into a deep-seated habit of figuring things out on my own, at all costs.

At first, it seemed like a strength. Being independent, resourceful, and self-sufficient got me far. But when I became an entrepreneur? Whew. That mindset started working against me real fast.

Running a business, especially a growing one, means there’s no way you can do everything on your own. But I tried. And in the process, I burned myself out, slowed down my own progress, and created stress that could have been avoided if I had just asked for help and properly delegated tasks.

The Hard Lesson & Ongoing Growth-
I had to learn that asking for help isn’t a weakness, it’s a strategy. Not only do I have to ask, but I also have to delegate the right way, clearly, intentionally, and without micromanaging.

Oweee, let me tell you – it has NOT been easy and I’m still learning. But I’ve come a long way. Now, I’m building a team, hiring interns and employees, and putting real systems in place so that my business can grow without me trying to do it all alone.

The biggest takeaway? If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.

That’s the mindset I’m stepping into, and honestly? It’s making all the difference.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

If I had to pinpoint my biggest source of clients, it’s without a doubt word of mouth. Easily 80% of my past clients have come from referrals, repeat customers, or people who heard about my food from someone else.

And honestly, that means everything to me. There’s no better compliment than someone loving my food and experience so much that they tell their friends, family, or colleagues, “You have to book with Patria.”

Why Word of Mouth Works So Well for Me?
Food is personal. When someone recommends a caterer, it’s because they trust them to deliver. That kind of trust spreads like wildfire when the experience is memorable.
I prioritize relationships. I don’t just serve food, I connect with my clients, listen to what they really want, and make sure their experience is top-tier.
Every event is a chance to market. If I wow guests at one event, chances are, a few of them will become future clients. My food speaks for itself!

While word of mouth has been my bread and butter (pun intended 😂), I know I can’t rely on it alone. That’s why I’m being more intentional about marketing and expanding my social media presence, refining my brand messaging, and actively reaching out to corporate clients.

The goal? To make sure that even people who haven’t had my food yet can still find me, see what I offer, and book with confidence.

But no matter how much I grow, the heart of my business will always be built on relationships, trust, and delivering an experience worth talking about.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.patriaskitchen.com
• Instagram: @patriaskitchenGR
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patriaskitchen
• Youtube: @TrueToThePlate

Image Credits

Charla Jacobs