We recently connected with Quianna Howell and have shared our conversation below.
Quianna, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?
It was the summer of 2020 when Covid shut down the world, and I had recently joined a Facebook group where all the members were from Cleveland, OH, but we were now residents of Columbus, OH. I was asked if I’d be willing to make our Cleveland style polish boys and Shrimp Po boys for our upcoming group picnic. The way they embraced my cooking as well as expressing how it was definitely a taste of home with the biggest smiles, felt absolutely amazing. I’ve always had a deep passion for cooking as I grew up watching my mom make magic in ours. She’d give me little projects to do so I’d feel like I was helping. My father’s mother was also the head cook and an all boys school in Cleveland and my brother’s would take me there whenever they didn’t feel like watching their little sister as I was the baby if us four, and she’d do the same thing as my mom even if I was over her house along with two of my aunts. So, cooking with love is embedded in my DNA. With the picnic and what I was taught growing up it just felt unbelievably good to make my own way inside the world of cooking. I couldn’t think about anything else that brought me the pure enjoyment of cooking and watching people enjoy it. I call it love on a plate because I try my best to allow the love I have for this to transfer into the meal I’m cooking each and every time. The minute I’m called to help with an event I’m excited because what’s more amazing than being apart of someone event that they’ll get to look back on for the rest of their lives.
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?
I never went to school for cooking/culinary, but it has always been a huge part of my existence. I started small but quickly realized that catering is what makes my heart happy. To be apart of an important event that will be remembered from years to come is such an honor to me. I allow my clients to let go of a certain part of their event, to focus on other things that need more attention and care. Each and every one of my clients knows that I will provide them with food for the soul no matter what the menu looks like, it will be made with love. That’s why I call it love on a plate. I cook as if I’m cooking for my own family. I need them to know and understand that this particular part of their event is in good hands.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
I was doing a wedding and a person didn’t show up to help as promised. They to are a cook, well no call no show and I was definitely depending on this person. This wedding was a little different than those I’ve done in the past, so it was a big deal for me. Instead of panicking, or shall I say go into full panic mode I was able to pull it off with those who were there. The bride was absolutely amazing, happy, and appreciative that me and my team made her vision. So much so that she got on the mic and asked her guests to pour into my business with a monetary donation, and they did. By the end of the night I was in tears and overwhelmed by all the love that came my way.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
My clients…my clients have been amazing and extremely supportive of me. I’ll get calls and texts letting me know that they’ve recommended my services to anyone that would ask them about catering. Take care of your clients and your clients will take care of you!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://fatskitchenllc.godaddysites.com/
- Instagram: Fatskitchenllc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fatscatering38?mibextid=LQQJ4d