The Story of PassionEats Soul Food & Catering

 

My Beginning/My Passion

 

I am a woman of humble beginnings, and my love for cooking was first realized at the young age of ten. As the eldest of five siblings, I took on the responsibility of helping my parents prepare meals for our large family. While some might have seen this as a chore, for me, it was the opposite. Cooking became the one thing that brought my family together.

I can still recall the little cooking tips my parents shared with me—my father's smooth homemade caramel and my mother's perfectly lump-free gravy. It was in these moments that the cook in me was born. I learned to pay attention to detail and to appreciate not only the taste of food but its presentation as well.

My passion for cooking was nurtured by my grandmother, Mrs. Bobbie Wilson, from Dora, Alabama. When I expressed a desire to cook more than just fried chicken and spaghetti, she took the time to teach me the art of meal planning. She stayed on the phone while I grocery shopped and coached me through the process of preparing countless successful meals. With her guidance, I quickly grew more confident in the kitchen.

Soon, I found myself cooking for family gatherings, and before I knew it, my home became the “go-to” place for family and friends. Traditional potlucks evolved into well-planned events, with everyone requesting me to prepare entire meals. What some might see as a chore, I came to view as therapy. There was a deep sense of joy in seeing people come together to enjoy the food I prepared, and the appreciation they showed for my labor of love was truly fulfilling.

My Business

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After spending 15 years in the cosmetology industry as a hairstylist and the owner/operator of my own salon, I felt the pull to expand my horizons. It was then that I decided to nurture my passion for cooking, which ultimately led me to my new venture. It all started with a dish that would later become one of PassionEats' signature offerings—White Chicken Chili. While I always enjoyed cooking for others, the entrepreneur in me refused to let this new passion lie dormant.

I made my first pot of chili, and it was delicious! I took the leftovers and began selling them in my salon. The response was incredible. From there, I started preparing different dishes and selling them on weekends. The demand quickly grew, and before long, we were taking orders from schools, churches, local businesses, and beyond. It was clear that this was more than just a hobby—it was a business in the making.

As my house became cluttered with supplies, products, and food that had outgrown its domestic purpose, I realized it was time to find a dedicated space for my new venture. In March of 2017, PassionEats was born and opened its doors at 915 W. 87th Street.

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Since its inception, PassionEats has focused on providing high-quality service with every meal we prepare. Our brand is committed to nourishing the body, mind, spirit, soul, and taste buds of every customer we serve. We take immense pride in excellence—whether it's in taste, presentation, service, or consistency. Our goal is for every person to speak positively about their experience with our brand. I personally oversee every aspect of the operation to ensure we deliver the highest quality possible. Additionally, I take great care in training and developing my staff to ensure that PassionEats provides an excellent experience, whether it’s for a small gathering or a large extravaganza.

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PassionEats aims to be a company admired for its values, standards, and commitment to excellence. Our ultimate goal is to become Chicagoland’s premier one-stop caterer. Looking to the future, we aspire to acquire our own banquet facility—one that will allow us to continue serving superb, home-cooked meals for churches, businesses, non-profit organizations, weddings, reunions, anniversary parties, and all other special occasions.

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Another core part of our mission is giving back to the community. We plan to offer educational programs that cultivate the passion and skills of young people between the ages of 5-25, teaching them proper food handling and cooking techniques. By doing so, we aim to spread the PassionEats experience far and wide, empowering the next generation of chefs and food enthusiasts.

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While I’ve been fortunate enough to travel and cook for celebrities, my pride and joy has always been corporate catering. There’s something deeply satisfying about bringing people together through food, whether it’s for a small business gathering or a large corporate event.

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