Today we’d like to introduce you to Jay Adams.
Hi Jay, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Early in my childhood, I didn’t eat a lot. My mother sometimes had to take extreme measures to make me eat. So when we moved back to NOLA at the age of 10, my appetite started to pick up. My favorite spot to hang out was in the kitchen – not only because of the food, but also because it seemed to be the heart of the house. In my grandmother’s kitchen is where I fell in love with food and saw how much pride my grandmother took in nourishing the family. It made me feel special. I started this business with an old aluminum pot and a propane burner. The learning curve was steep and sometimes painful. But with the help of my family and friends, I climbed those mountains and have now grown into a small food trailer. My family are my life. They motivate me to be a better person and an example that they can be proud of. I love cooking because of my family roots and I am now able to pass along these recipes so the public can enjoy them as much as our family has for generations.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Getting off the ground was difficult, but encouraging because we knew we had a great product worth sharing. The public reassured us with positive feedback and critiques. Funding has been an issue because we’re so small and new. I didn’t have much when I started this business, using tools and pots from home to get going.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I provide authentic New Orleans cuisine, utilizing my grandmother’s recipes. I specialize in traditional Creole flavors. When native Louisianians visit my trailer or, at the farmer’s market on Sundays, they are often pleasantly surprised by the authenticity of the flavors. They can tell that I’m truly from NOLA. Often times, I am quizzed on where, within the city, I am actually from. The truth is, I’m from all over. The passion and care I pour into my grandmother’s recipes sets me apart from others. Everything I make is homemade from scratch from the stocks I use to the roux and fresh cut veggies. The first dish I learned to prepare from my grandmother was seafood gumbo, and this is the one I take the most pride in. I don’t make commercial food, I make meals for families. I think this not only sets me apart from others, but this is also my greatest source of pride in my business. I want people to know and feel that when they get a meal from my trailer, they’re also getting a seat at my family table. You can always expect home made food, a smile and a warm greeting when you see us. it is our pleasure to bring a little of our home to you.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
In my youth, I was a rambunctious young man. I spent my days hanging out with friends by the lake and nights partying on the quarter. I was and am still a fun-loving, joke-cracking guy. My wife always tells me that I am a social butterfly – I think most people from NOLA are that way.
Pricing:
- Seafood Gumbo $15
- Chicken Sausage Gumbo $10
- Boudin Balls 3/$10 / hand pies 2/$10
- Red Beans w/ Rice $10
- Jambalaya $13/Shrimp Etouffee $13
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bigdaddyjaycreolekitchen.square.site
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/bigdaddyjayscreolekitchen
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/bigdaddyjayscreolekitchen
- Other: https://tiktok.com/big.daddy.jays.cr
Image Credits
These are all personal photos
