Today we’d like to introduce you to Raquel Brown.
Hi Raquel, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Hello my name is Raquel Brown, I am a 24 year vet in the restaurant industry. I started serving at the age of 15. When I went to college I had no clue what I wanted to do for a living so I decided to enroll in the college of Business. I started classes and they were so broad it became overwhelming. I went to my advisor and she asked me what was my passion. I couldn’t tell her what I enjoyed but I knew I enjoyed serving people. She said they had a college of Hotel, Restaurant, Tourism that I could focus on a specific area and go from there. I had restaurant experience so I chose that particular area. It was history from there. I went from serving as a 15 year old to running a restaurant as a Co Owner at the age of 32. I love a challenge and I wasn’t being challenged enough as a bar manager, assistant manager, or a general manager. Owning a restaurant causes you to think outside the box. You have to stay on top of everything from new recipes to new customers that become framily. In the last seven years we made through the death of my mother the first 6 months of being open, a pandemic and new restaurants making their home by us. The major Key to our business and secret recipe is “LOVE”, That is what separate us from most.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
This has not been a smooth seven years. My mother passed away 6 months after we opened, two years later covid-19 slowed sales down, and multiple businesses have move by us. I think all of these obstacles happening back to back allowed my faith in God to get stronger. The one thing that helped stay open is putting God first. When God is the head of your business nothing can affect it.
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?
Coming from 5 different chains of restaurants in my 24 years I learned a lot from each experience. My undergraduate degree allowed me to get the experience of the industry, all while my Masters in Human Resource Management allowed me to get the fundamentals of the business. My restaurant specializes in Soul food and catering. Our food will make you feel like you are sitting at your grandmother’s table having an amazing meal with your family. We are known for multiple dishes; Neckbones, Spare Ribs (Wednesdays only), Ej’s Seafood Sensation, Peach Cobbler and I could go on and on since everything on the menu is amazing. What brings me joy is that I personally added two entrees that my mother loves which are the dishes I named after her: Ej’s Seafood Sensation and the Ej’s Pasta. I love when guest come in and order them because I know it’s dishes she would appreciate. One thing about my food is we make everything with love. You will enjoy each entree from beginning to end.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I don’t believe in luck playing a role in my life or business. It is all of God’s doing. My mother favorite scripture is Romans 8:28 And we know that ALL things work together for the good of those who Love the Lord. That’s why Love is apart of our recipes.
Pricing:
- Regular Plate *$15.00
- Lunch Plate *$8.00-$10.00
- Desserts *$5.00
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mealsforyoucatering.com
- Instagram: Mealsforyou105
- Facebook: Mealsforyou105
- Yelp: Meals For You
