Today we’d like to introduce you to Shannon Christopher.
Hi Shannon, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was in the Army for 21 years as a trauma nurse. I had been playing around with what I would do after retirement, and food truck was at the top of the list. During my last deployment, I got injured and eventually had to be medically retired. The medical board’s recommendation was that I shouldn’t do nursing anymore due to my injuries. Because of that, I was given the opportunity to go back to school to get a job that I could do with my disabilities. I asked to go to culinary school, and with that, the food truck suddenly became a reality. I have a joke where I tell people that if I forget the tomato on your sandwich, you’re not going to die. The food truck itself – Leola’s Kitchen – is a love letter to my grandmother, Leola. She was one of the best women and cooks I have ever known, and her house always smelled like good food, whether she was cooking or not. She taught me what I knew initially about cooking, and Auguste Escoffier taught me the rest. I am a scratch kitchen that uses recyclable materials and am farm to table with local farms as much as I can be. My concept is that I take my grandmother’s recipes and mix them with other world cuisines that I had during my time in the Army.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It’s been one of the bumpiest roads I’ve ever navigated. The first year taught me a lot, and it was mostly trial by error. Funding was hard to find. I eventually got a business loan, but it was with a bank that I don’t like very much. At almost 2 years old, I feel like I really know how to run my business now – equipment, food cost, pricing, supplies, etc. We are also starting to pick up momentum with invitations/events, catering opportunities, and a retail business. The problem is that there is no more buffer money. I’m trying to find a job where I can still do the food truck and make a little extra money to keep the business going until we can be self sustaining – which I estimate will be in year 5.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Leola’s Kitchen?
Leola’s Kitchen. The name comes from my Grandma —one of the greatest Soul Food Cooks in the world. Nothing was better than the smell of her kitchen. As a little girl, I used to sit in a chair next to the oven and watch her create magic. In Southern Families, it was her food that brought us together. Now, that cherished heritage comes to life at Leola’s Kitchen, a food truck startup. The menu reflects our Southern roots infused with influences from around the world during my 21 years in the Army. Our daily spot closed down late October, so we are doing weekends, catering, and by request events while putting more effort into our retail business. We also are working on an online store. Some of our signature dishes include: honey bacon Brussel sprouts, chicken and waffle lasagna, curried catfish, sweet potato and jalapeno tater tots with a green tomato ketchup, brisket Philly, Southern gyro, and BBQ chicken tacos. Because we are a scratch kitchen, we have vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options. We also use compostable containers and local farmers for our ingredients.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Hmm, that’s a tough one. Maybe that I’m a classical pianist and do graphic crochet. My brand is Leola. I try to deliver the kind of food she would be proud of. I need to make money to stay in business, but money isn’t what I care about. I just love to cook for people who enjoy food. When someone tells me that they loved my food, that means the world.
Pricing:
- $6-$15
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.leolaskitchen.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leolaskitchen68/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leolaskitchen68
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@shannonchristopher9203
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@leolas.kitchen
Image Credits
I took all the pictures myself.
