Archive of ‘Business’ category

Toasted Yolk brings a new breakfast vibe to Birmingham

Colette Lewis and her brother, Charles, recently held the grand opening for The Toasted Yolk Cafe, a breakfast, brunch and lunch spot in downtown Birmingham on 20th Street South. (Photo by Chanda Temple)

By Chanda Temple 

Colette Lewis remembers how excited she was to get her first Easy-Bake Oven.

It was Christmas morning, and she was about 7 years old. She pulled out packets of cake mix as her father plugged in the toy oven. After the first layer was done, Colette’s brother, Charles, who was about 3 years old, couldn’t wait to try it.

“That was our first time cooking,’’ Charles recalled. “It was good.’’

Now, decades later, the siblings, who grew up in Flint, Michigan, are excited to be cooking up something together again, but on a much larger scale. On Monday July 14, they hosted the grand opening for The Toasted Yolk Cafe, a breakfast, brunch and lunch spot in downtown Birmingham on 20th Street South, between Synovus Bank and Panda Express. Their franchise is part of the Houston-based Toasted Yolk brand. Birmingham is the company’s 51st store.

“We are offering good food, good portions and a good vibe,’’ said Charles. “It’s what Birmingham needs.’’

(more…)

For Fatimah Jackson, Healing Was Just the First Course

By Chanda Temple

One month after deciding to leave her banking job of 16 years to start a new career in information technology (IT), Fatimah Jackson was diagnosed with breast cancer.

In denial, thinking the doctors had gotten it wrong, she sought second, third, and fourth opinions. Six months later, she was in treatment. It was the summer of 2020.

For the next year and a half, Jackson underwent chemotherapy and radiation and later had a mastectomy. During treatment, she looked for things to keep her busy. Because she was vegan — a lifestyle that excludes the use and/or consumption of animal products — she started doing vegan meal prep for others to make money. As she posted photos of vegan lasagna, curry bowls, and salads to Facebook, she gained a following.

“People said the [food] looked good but they wanted to know where the meat was,” Jackson said of her meals. “I told them, ‘You don’t need meat.’”

A few friends decided to take Jackson up on her “no meat” comment and started using her meal prep plans, too. Then, those friends posted their own pictures of Jackson’s food. Her following continued to grow, and people booked her for pop-up events which led to her selling vegan food through her new company, Solcial Veg, in August 2022.

(more…)

A Slice of Determination: How Takeeka Goshay Grew Adored Sweets Against All Odds

By Chanda Temple

When Takeeka Goshay started Adored Sweets a decade ago, her cheesecake menu had one flavor: classic vanilla with two topping options. Fast forward to today, and that simple menu has exploded into 12 flavors, including banana pudding and the holiday-inspired sweet potato. 

And now, she’s adding three more flavors to the lineup: caramel, pure decadence with a hint of nostalgia; Samoa, the chocolate, caramel and coconut magic of a Girl Scout classic; and red velvet, a Southern charmer with a kiss of cocoa. 

Takeeka Goshay's popular strawberry crunch cheesecake was released in 2024 to rave reviews. (Photo by Chanda Temple)
Takeeka Goshay’s popular strawberry crunch cheesecake was released in 2024 to rave reviews. (Photo by Chanda Temple)

“It’s about keeping things fresh and giving people more to love,” Takeeka said. “You do better when you offer what you love, and I love these flavors.”

(more…)

Popping Past Fear: How Naughty But Nice Kettle Corn Co. Keeps Thriving

In December 2024, Party City, announced it was closing after being in business for nearly 40 years. The news hit hard for not only consumers, but also entrepreneurs such as Tanesha Sims-Summers.

As the co-owner of Naughty But Nice Kettle Corn Co., a Birmingham-based business she built from scratch, Tanesha couldn’t help but take the news personally. Watching a giant fall after decades of success made her pause and reflect. What went wrong for them? And, more importantly, could her own business face the same fate?

Tanesha Sims-Summers started Naughty But Nice Kettle Corn Co. in 2014 with three flavors. Today, she has eight flavors, a storefront and a processing space. She runs the business with her husband, Clem Summers. (Photo Source: Tanesha Sims-Summers
Tanesha Sims-Summers started Naughty But Nice Kettle Corn Co. in 2014 with three flavors. Today, she has eight flavors, a storefront and a processing space. She runs the business with her husband, Clem Summers. (Photo Source: Tanesha Sims-Summers)

Then, she asked herself the hard questions: Was she running her own business based on her feelings or based on the numbers.

But the faith, drive and passion within her told her she was on the right path and to keep going.

“I’m just not at that point where I’m ready to throw in the towel, even at the roughest moment because it’s a burning desire within me to live out the purpose for this business,” she said. “That’s why we say, ‘Poppin’ with a purpose. Sweeter together.’ ”

(more…)

Encore Rouge brings a new brunch to Birmingham

By Chanda Temple

When Antoinne Davis woke up this morning, he checked social media and his heart sank.

Post after post talked about the rainy forecast for Saturday, Jan. 18, the same day he plans to launch his new brunch menu at Encore Rouge, bursting with bold bites such as New York Cheesecake French Toast with a strawberry compote, peach cobbler egg rolls with a vanilla drizzle, cinnamon French toast, collard green rolls stuffed with dirty rice and pieces of turkey, chitterling eggrolls, and much more.

Antoinne Davis owns Encore Rouge Gourmet Street Food Restaurant in downtown Birmingham. (Photo provided by Antoinne Davis)
Antoinne Davis owns Encore Rouge Gourmet Street Food Restaurant in downtown Birmingham. (Photo provided by Antoinne Davis)

But Antoinne, 41, didn’t let a wet forecast wash away his determination. He got up and headed to his restaurant.

“If you think negative, negative things will happen,” he said, after chopping vegetables and marinating meats for Saturday. “Encore Rouge is going to bring the sunshine, rain, sleet or snow.”

(more…)

Faith, Fearlessness & Frosting: The Rise of K&J’s Elegant Pastries in Birmingham, AL

By Chanda Temple 

For six years, Kristal Bryant was overlooked for promotions at a chain restaurant, where she worked as a five-star line cook.

She was skilled in handling all of the food stations and even worked double shifts to cover for others. When the company asked her to help open locations in other cities, she answered the call. But every time she inquired about a promotion, she was told, “We’ll get you in,” when the next door opens.

But that “next door” never came.

Kristal’s husband, Jonathan, saw how hard Kristal worked without advancement. So, he pushed her toward her passion: Step out on faith and do your side cake business, full time.

K&J's Elegant Pastries in Birmingham's City Walk area has 120 different cupcake flavors, but has a select set of flavors on the menu every day. (Photo source: Kristal Bryant)
K&J’s Elegant Pastries in Birmingham’s City Walk area has 120 different cupcake flavors, but has a select set of flavors on the menu every day. (Photo source: Kristal Bryant)

Those words stopped Kristal cold. The year was 2010, and she was a 27-year-old mother of two small girls. Even though Jonathan had a good job with the railroad, she wondered if she’d be able to make a living out of baking cakes and contribute to the household. 

Still, with faith and determination, Kristal took the leap. It wasn’t easy. There were challenges, doubts and even tears. But over time, her fears gave way to confidence.

Today, Kristal’s leap of faith has paid off in ways she never imagined. Her downtown Birmingham business, K&J’s Elegant Pastries & Creamery, is a place where repeat customers, high-profile corporations, celebrities and professional athletes make orders. She’s baked cakes for Nicki Minaj, Chris Brown, Da Brat, and Slutty Vegan CEO Pinky Cole, appeared on Good Morning America and the Food Network, and does monthly cooking segments on Birmingham’s WBRC.

Through it all, one of her guiding principles has been the Bible verse: “Faith without works is dead.’’ 

“I have the faith, and as long as I put in the work, this will be successful,” Kristal said. “And that’s one of the things that’s always kept me, sane, even running the business now.” 

(more…)

Slutty Vegan Reopens in Birmingham with Homegrown Hustle

By Chanda Temple

For years, Reatta Myers-Hall worked to help other companies thrive.

Whenever she saw areas that needed improvements, she offered suggestions. But she and her ideas were ignored. A lot.

Although Reatta was brokenhearted, she was never broken over what happened, for she knew that one day someone would listen.

The popular Fussy Hussy plant-based burger from Slutty Vegan comes with pickles, onions, tomatoes lettuce, a special sauce, an an Impossible burger patty on a Hawaiian bun. (Photo source: Slutty Vegan)
Slutty Vegan offers four different types of plant-based burgers. The Fussy Hussy burger, pictured, comes with pickles, onions, tomatoes lettuce, a special sauce, an Impossible burger patty on a Hawaiian bun. In 2023, Yelp rated Slutty Vegan as No. 3 on its list of  “Top 100 Burgers in America.’’ (Photo source: Slutty Vegan)

That day finally came in the fall of 2024 when Pinky Cole, the founder of the multi-million dollar Slutty Vegan brand, asked Reatta if she would like to own and operate Alabama’s only Slutty Vegan store as a franchise. Since Reatta already had a history of running the store as its manager when it first opened in the Woodlawn neighborhood of Birmingham in August 2022, she jumped at the chance. And Pinky gave her the store, which is located at 7 – 55th Place South.

“What happened at those other businesses never made me want to quit,’’ Reatta said. “I just tucked (the ideas) in my back pocket, and now I’m pulling them out.”

Today, Reatta is rolling out new value meals and products for Birmingham Slutty Vegan consumers, along with the long-cherished plant-based burgers on vegan Hawaiian buns, vegan desserts and fries that Pinky first started selling when she launched the Slutty Vegan burger stands in 2018 in Atlanta. There are now 12 Slutty Vegan locations in Georgia, New York ,Texas, Alabama and Maryland. Birmingham still has the only Alabama location.

“A lot of people don’t like to accept the nos that they get, and they get discouraged. But that should be fuel for you to keep going on and pressing to get to that yes,’’ Reatta said. “You have all the keys. You just have to create your own door.’’ 

(more…)

A Recipe for Resilience: The Love Story Behind Sweet Daddy’s Sweet Potato Pies

By Chanda Temple

In July 2023, Justin Jones received the call no one really wants to get: Your job has ended.

Saddened over losing his good-paying job in the steel industry, Justin nervously broke the news to his wife. But Charity Jones saw the loss as more of a gain.

“I said, ‘Well, congratulations! You always wanted to work for yourself, and this is your opportunity,’ ” Charity recalled.

Stunned by Charity’s response at first, Justin knew she had a point. So, he followed his heart and started making the sweet potato pies that so many of their relatives had already come to love. Meanwhile, Charity started scheduling Justin to sell pies at as many farmers markets and events as possible. By August 2023, Sweet Daddy’s Sweet Potato Pies was selling out every weekend.

Sweet Daddy's Sweet Potato Pies is offering a holiday bake sale Dec. 19 - 22, 2024. Orders can be picked up on Dec. 23, 2024 at noon at Red Cat Coffee House. See details at the end of this story for ordering. (By Chanda Temple)
Sweet Daddy’s Sweet Potato Pies is offering a holiday bake sale Dec. 19 – 22, 2024. Orders can be picked up on Dec. 23, 2024 at noon at Red Cat Coffee House. See details at the end of this story for ordering. (By Chanda Temple)

“Immediately, I felt in my soul that that was the best thing for my husband,” Charity said of Justin making pies full time. “I believed in him. I believed in our product.”

The two are co-owners of Sweet Daddy’s Sweet Potato Pies, which are made in a commissary kitchen in Hoover, AL and sold across metro-Birmingham. Their menu includes sweet potato pie, apple pie, peach cobbler, pecan pie and a gluten-free sweet potato pie.

They also sell mini pies, which is their top seller. They recently delivered 400 mini pies to an organization looking to distribute them for the holidays.

Charity and Justin Jones started Sweet Daddy's Sweet Potato Pies in fall 2023. (Photo by Chanda Temple)
Charity and Justin Jones started Sweet Daddy’s Sweet Potato Pies in fall 2023. They call him, “Sweet Daddy” and call her, “Sweet Mama.” (Photo by Chanda Temple)

“Just to see this grow, it lets me know that my belief in what we are doing is right. I can only imagine next year,” Charity said.

(more…)

Meet Aniyah Brown and how she makes every bite bright, bold and balanced

By Chanda Temple

People’s postures shifted and their eyes widened every time a dish by Aniyah Brown hit the table. 

Perhaps it was the plump shrimp bathed in warm tones of coconut curry sauce. Or maybe it was the roasted chickpeas nestled against butternut squash and peppers in a satisfying sauce. Then again, it could have been the twice-fried chicken, accented with chopped mango and green sprigs.

(Photo source: REV Birmingham)

Each entree was bright and bold, making you feel as though you’d found gold at the end of the rainbow.

But in reality, it was Aniyah’s vision of what a supper club dinner should be: a treasure you didn’t know you needed but one you were lucky you found.

(more…)

Food Network Star Martie Duncan releases fifth cookbook with recipes and more from popular Alabama restaurants

By Chanda Temple

Alabama chef and TV personality Martie Duncan has some pretty dedicated friends and followers.

Three and a half hours before kick off of the Nov. 30, 2024 Iron Bowl, which is the biggest SEC football showdown in Alabama, several of Martie’s fans lined up inside of a historic store in downtown Huntsville, AL to get her newly-released cookbook, “The Alabama 100: Best Recipes, Restaurants & Road Trips.” The book highlights noteworthy dishes and restaurants from across the state.

Martie Duncan haș released her fifth cookbook, and it's the perfect guide to finding good food across Alabama. It comes with recipes from homegrown restaurants and suggestions of what to eat in various cities in the state. (Image provided by Martie Duncan)
Martie Duncan took time to select just the right images to go on the cover of her new cookbook. Everything from fried chicken and gumbo to orange rolls and brioche can be found in her book, which is available via various retailers across Alabama. (Image provided by Martie Duncan.)

In her fifth cookbook, Martie shares recipes for the Pimento Cheese Tomato Pie from Helen in Birmingham; Lucy Buffett’s Famous Seafood Gumbo from LuLu’s in Gulf Shores; and Crab Cakes from the 360 Grille at the Marriott Shoals Hotel, just to name a few. She also gives cooking tips.

“I love the simplicity of all the recipes that Martie features. And when I see her on TV, everything that she cooks is easy to follow,” said Misty Robinson of Hazel Green. Misty and her family drove to Huntsville on a bone-chilling Saturday morning to get the book, which features 100 recipes and 253 restaurants, coffee shops, bakeries, bars and a few dives.

And Charity McLin drove in from Athens, AL to pick up a book for her mother and one for herself. Like Misty, she has other books written by Martie, and she said she is drawn to the books to try recipes for the foods she loves.

“She writes great books and the recipes are always easy to follow,” Charity said. “I can’t wait to get home and look through it.”

A Food Network Star finalist and award-winning cookbook author, Martie drove more than 5,000 miles across Alabama, worked with 3,972 images shot for the book and tried 1,012 dishes to produce content for the 239-page book. And if people don’t want to cook, they can just use the book as a reference on where to go to try some the most delicious food in Alabama.

“This book is more of a travel guide and incorporates so many more restaurants than I’ve ever been able to do in any book ,” said Martie. “Even though we focus on 12 main cities, there are other towns and cities mentioned in the book.”

Birmingham’s Martie Duncan will have several book signings in December 2024. (Photo provided by Martie Duncan)

(more…)

1 2 3 4 … 7