From Pain to Pastry: How Kenya Pickens Baked Her Way to a Better Life

By Chanda Temple

Kenya Pickens graduated from culinary school in 2007 with dreams of dishing out delicious dinners.

But after working at a country club for only a few months, she lost her job. Devastated, she thumbed through the Yellow Pages, calling businesses and asking, “Are you hiring?”

More than a week later, those calls led to two job offers: being a server at a steakhouse and working at a bakery. She took both. Although Kenya had not studied baking, she settled in to learn a new skill.

Eventually, she became so good at baking, that she stepped out on faith and left the bakery in 2008 to sell her own desserts. She made five cakes a week and sold slices at barber shops, beauty shops and a discount meat market. In 2015, she started selling at Birmingham-area farmers markets while she still worked full-time jobs in various industries. Her days were long and her weekends were longer. But she knew that one day, her dedication would pay off.

Kenya Pickens opened Velvet Kake bakery in 2021 in Clay, AL, selling cakes, cookies and more. She’s grown her following to include fans of traditional and vegan desserts. (Photo Source: Kenya Pickens)

On Dec. 1, 2021, she moved into her own storefront, Velvet Kake, in Clay, Ala. and became a full-time baker. (She got the name because she sells so many red velvet cakes. Her mother, Evelyn Sherard, works in the bakery with her.)

Today, Kenya sells about 30 cakes a week.

“I should have given up a long time ago, but I kept going because I had something to prove,” said Kenya, 38.

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These Birmingham, AL pound cakes are so good, you’ll give thanks twice

 

By Chanda Temple 

Imagine sinking your teeth into a slice of buttery heaven.

The moistness. The golden glow. The home-baked happiness. They are all there in the five-flavor poundcake from Herban Soul Cafe in Woodlawn, AL.

When people try a slice, they swear a seasoned senior made it. But the young person behind it is Herban Soul Cafe tea house founder and self-taught baker Alexis Kimbrough, who makes the poundcake from a cherished family recipe. 

“People don’t believe I made it,” said Alexis, 30. “But they like it. They say it takes them back to their childhood.”

Alexis Kimbrough uses a family recipe to make her five-flavor poundcake. She is now taking orders for her poundcakes for Thanksgiving 2024. The deadline to order is Nov. 20. (Photo source: Chanda Temple)

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Emily Hall: How One Woman Turned a Breakup into a Cookie Sensation

By Chanda Temple

There’s something about biting into a chocolate chip cookie that just soothes the soul.

It’s ooey. It’s gooey. And just oh, so good.

And if you are Emily Hall, a chocolate chip cookie is not only comfort food but also a recipe for new beginnings.

The Breakup Cookie is made with three types of chocolate, which gives it its decadent flavor. (Photo courtesy of The Breakup Cookie company.)

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City of Birmingham’s “Food Truck Friday’’ Turns Pink on Oct. 4 in Honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month

By Chanda Temple

All summer, the City of Birmingham has hosted Food Truck Friday in front of City Hall for consumers to experience the area’s growing food truck scene. On Oct. 4, Food Truck Friday will be held but with a twist of “pink” as organizers raise awareness about breast cancer.

The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be food trucks, music, and local organizations sharing information about breast cancer.

A “Pink Parade’’ will start at 12:05 p.m. with breast cancer survivors and supporters of those who’ve been impacted by breast cancer. Those who’ve lost a loved one to breast cancer are also invited to walk. Walkers are encouraged to arrive by 11:40 a.m. to pick up pink pom poms and ribbons and start assembling for the walk.

This parade will not be in the street but will be in Linn Park. The address for Birmingham City Hall is 710 – 20th Street North. Participation is free.

This event is being presented by the city’s StrongHer campaign, which highlights “unsung’’ sheroes in the community. Every March, a new class of StrongHer honorees are highlighted during Women’s History Month. Organizers decided to take StrongHer beyond March this year in an effort to honor breast cancer survivors, their caregivers and anyone impacted by the disease. Several StrongHer honorees will be present on Oct. 4 as a way to give back. Other walkers will include members of the Army Reserve, the fire departement and more.

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Where To Eat in Metro-Birmingham

By Chanda Temple

When people visit Birmingham and its surrounding areas, they come hungry for two things: bold history and even bolder flavor. The good news? Locals know exactly where to find both. We’ve rounded up some of their favorite spots, organized by location, so you can eat your way through metro-birmingham, one yummy bite at a time.

I’m working on adding links for each restaurant soon. Until then, dig into the list and get ready to enjoy what the Magic City has to offer. **This list was last updated on April 22, 2026**

Hungry for more? Follow me on Instagram for delicious foodie pics.

Burgers, biscuits, brisket and so much more can be found in Birmingham restaurants. (Photo by Chanda Temple)
Burgers, biscuits, barbecue, boba tea, beer and so much more can be found in Birmingham restaurants, which have received national recognition. (Photo by Chanda Temple)

AVONDALE 

Ampersandwich Avondale

Avondale Brewing Company

Big Spoon Creamery

Black Market Bar + Grill  

Elysian Gardens

Joyland  

Miracle Pizza Co.

Munchie’s On 5th

Saw’s Soul Kitchen 

Son’s Donuts

The Electric

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Birmingham, AL recipe tester wins praise for unique dishes

By Chanda Temple 

For several years, Jasmine Smith worked in the background to help her chef friends on big food events. She did so in her spare time because, well, that’s just the kind of friend she is.

Then, in 2023, a friend aware of Smith’s culinary skills, wanted to put Jasmine out front and suggested she be one of the presenting cooks during the inaugural Birmingham Food Plus Heritage dinner at Pepper Place in Birmingham, AL.

Jasmine accepted the invitation and served up dishes that impressed the crowd.

Jasmine Smith at Birmingham Food Plus 2023 at Birmingham’s Pepper Place (Photo credit: Chanda Temple)

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Magic City Art Connection offers art that heals the artist and the art buyer

By Chanda Temple 

When things got tough, Atlanta artist Lauren Lane turned to painting. 

Through strokes of vibrant oranges, greens and blues, she painted through the worries and pains of family health challenges, a difficult workload and the self doubt of “Is my art good enough.” 

Never one to break, she placed her trust in God. And He delivered. 

Atlanta artist Lauren Lane said this piece was inspired by Joseph from the Bible and his multi-colored coat. She’s at Magic City Art Connection 2024 at Sloss Furnaces. (Photo by Chanda Temple)

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City of Birmingham’s StrongHer campaign has stories of rebirth and reinvention that inspire

StrongHer honoree Candace Chandler during the unveiling of the StrongHer art exhibit at Birmingham City Hall on March 8, 2024. (Amarr Croskey, For The Birmingham Times)

By Chanda Temple

Losing her husband to a massive heart attack was gut-wrenching for Candace Chandler. Then, one month later, she miscarried the couple’s first baby.

Another gut-wrenching moment.

Experiencing the back-to-back losses in 2017 left Chandler lost, confused and severely depressed.

“I said, ‘Lord, I can’t do this anymore.’ I wanted to give up,’’ she said. “I went from being at the mountaintop to the valley.”

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Vegan Tabitha Brown brings national book tour to Birmingham, AL

Jessica S. Smith, left, and founder of “Jess Ask” the podcast and Emmy winner and social media star Tabitha Brown, right, took the stage at the Lyric Theatre on Feb. 3, 2024. (Desiree Greenwood Photos)

By Chanda Temple

When Birmingham native Jessica S. Smith, founder of “Jess Ask,” the podcast  and Emmy winner and social media star Tabitha Brown took the stage at the Lyric Theatre on Feb. 3 in Birmingham, AL, they enriched the evening by dropping pearls of inspiration, wisdom and empowerment. Near the end, Brown commended Smith on a job well done.

“I’m so grateful you said, ‘yes,’’’ Brown told Smith, recalling how she first asked her to be a part of the event. “You have been amazing. ‘Honey, (doesn’t) it look like she belongs in this space?’ She’s doing what God has called her to do.’’

“So, I pray that whatever it is that you dream, whatever it is that you imagine, that God makes it 10 times even bigger than it is, honey.’’

“I appreciate you. I see you. And God sees you. He hears you. So, don’t ever forget, and don’t ever doubt it. It’s all over you, honey,’’ Brown told Smith.

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Eugene’s Hot Chicken is named best fried chicken in Alabama

By Chanda Temple

FabCrunch.com has named Eugene’s Hot Chicken in Birmingham, AL as having the best fried chicken in Alabama.

Eugene's Hot Chicken offers fried chicken and tenders in a variety of heat levels. They also have chicken sandwiches, shrimp and fried turkey on the menu. Sides include fries and fried okra. Their ranch dressing, which is a perfect complement to the fried chicken, is homemade. (Photo source: Eugene's Hot Chicken)
Eugene’s Hot Chicken offers fried chicken and tenders in a variety of heat levels. They also have chicken sandwiches, shrimp and fried turkey on the menu. Sides include fries and fried okra. Their ranch dressing, which is a perfect complement to the fried chicken, is homemade. (Photo source: Eugene’s Hot Chicken)

In its 2023 story, FabCrunch said it scoured the nation “to uncover the best fried chicken spots that will have your taste buds dancing with joy. From coast to coast, we’ve left no stone unturned in our pursuit of the ultimate fried chicken perfection.’’ In reviewing restaurants in every state, FabCrunch.com said that Eugene’s “perfect balance of heat and flavor will leave you craving for more.’’

Eugene’s Hot Chicken CEO and founder Zebbie Carney said he’s humbled by the recognition, citing how cool it is for someone outside Alabama to recognize the restaurant’s hard work. “It’s a blessing,’’ he said.

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