We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tiffany Lane a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Tiffany thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

I was fighting a federal case where I was about to be sentenced and a pastor spoke to me and said you will be Off Da Hook and I didn’t think much of it but because of my indictment I was so focused on trying to stay strong for everyone around me and then I had to go full throttle with a business venture while I was on the streets fighting for my life so I began to listen closely to dreams then God spoke it you will be well known around the world OFF DA HOOK! this is where I got it from and I have been Off Da Hook ever since. While doing my time I obtained my entrepreneurial business certificate from Blind College and worked on bettering my business ideas as i returned because he had already given me the vision. So all I had to do is execute :I came home and obtained my culinary degree from Culinary Institute LENOTRE Which is a FRENCH culinary school and I was SUMA CUMA LADE another notable award and I then began to work in the field to obtain more knowledge. I worked at Hyatt Regency downtown Houston and Reliant Stadium Compass and Aramark GE oil and field and went ahead to become the Sous Chef at PRAIRE View University. I walked away and pursued OffDa Hook full time and been successful ever since.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I opened a restaurant in NewOrleans in 2017 and because of a bad business deal was hustled out of the building where I lost a lot is what I thought but then I purchased a food truck which was shortly stolen off a year or so later but that didn’t stop anything I still began to set up at pop ups in Houston and Nola and work Festivals I am in the process of relocating back to houston to open a Brunch spot what sets me apart is the passion I can do this for hours and not get tired knowing that everything will be a masterpiece. My motto I won’t sell it if I can’t or won’t eat it. I assure my customers and clients it’s a TASTE like no other I have my first cookbook entitled De Hustle A La passion which means from hustle to passion I have always had a gift I can make anything taste and look good without even trying but when I am FOCUSED it’s up! I also have spices and in the process of working on some sauces which will be out mid July. When you experience as OFF Da Hook I stamp that! The name speaks for itself! What separates me from my competition is I am not interested in other and what they offering I set the tone and they become replicas I am always trying to improve whatever it is!

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Whew this one I can go on and on every obstacle I have faced I took it chin up I had to realize that it’s not personal but business and everyone is on your team when they think you have something to give them but every lesson has built character and I am so blessed to still be in the game with so many people hating back stabbing and so forth but what is for you is for you and I am Never folding! It may take a lil longer but I am not looking for short cuts or handouts! I have lost it all but my FAITH! I am still going!

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

I had to learn that as long as you are worrying what others think you would try to please them but when you are focused on your purpose you are going to please God and whomever s on your team they will back you! I have done enough for the ungrateful sometimes gave when I didn’t even have it but they still wasn’t appreciative so I began to ask God to show me what is my purpose and get back on track and I am on it his mission my purpose.

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.offdahookeats.com
• Instagram: Offdahookcreolecatering
• Facebook: Offdahookcreolecatering
• Youtube: Ihot21374

Image Credits
Recipient of The JazzFest Catapult Program The best Chef Of Louisiana ACF 2020 The Best Black Chef Award 2022 The Creole Cajun Champ 2022