Today we’d like to introduce you to Joy Gant.
Hi Joy, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I am Queen Chef (also known as Joy); a cook, writer and owner of both Joy’s Home Cooking, a catering company, and Queen Chef seasonings, a gourmet seasoning line. I spent the bulk of my working years in the food and beverage industry; always leading companies to the next level and running companies with the same drive that I now have for my own. I started out as a teen working in fast food and working my way up into management positions at some of America’s favorite restaurants. I started “Joy’s Home Cooking” in my college apartment while attending FAMU in Tallahassee, FL. After graduating I returned to Orlando, FL where I was raised (born in Fort Myers, FL).
In 2019 I was fired from my job and launched Joy’s Home Cooking again, this time from a convenience store. That only lasted briefly due to the environment and I went through a series of changes before establishing Joy’s Home Cooking as a full service catering company. Through Joy’s home cooking, I have serviced weddings, corporate and private events, hosted in home cooking classes and I have even been a private chef. There is almost no part of the food and beverage industry that I have not not operated in on some level! I am the self-proclaimed recipe master and flavor queen with a particular skill set that allows me to pair flavors really well. Also, a passion for inspiring others and gathering to provide them with amazing food. I love cooking, gathering and writing, and my current businesses are a product of that.
I just launched Queen Chef Seasoning, a gourmet seasoning collection. Currently there are 4 seasonings: Majestic Meat, Kingdom Come, Herb Armor and Seafood Palace with so much more to come by way of spices and sauces. In Spring 2021, I will also be releasing my first cookbook entitled “Home Cooked Conversations”; a cookbook based on inspiring life lessons and amazing recipes to go with them. Some of the southern classics and creations of mine will even have vegan alternatives! I currently still live in Florida with my son and family. Queen Chef is on Instagram (personal: QueenChef__, business: QueenChefSeasoning) TikTok (QueenChef__) YouTube: Queen Chef Twitter: QueenChef__ www.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road has definitely been a little bumpy. One of the primary struggles was always learning how to navigate the changes of life and keep the business afloat. When I relaunched Joys Home Cooking in 2019 as a “restaurant” in the convenience store, that was some of the toughest months in the business. The conditions of the building were not what they appeared to be from when I “inspected” it for rent and the owner turned out to be a typical slumlord and hungry for cash. Running into people like that while trying to build something that you are so passionate about is disheartening. I have had to change up my business structure so many times to make it suitable for whatever resources I had at the time. Not having the financial or business background to establish business or even personal credit while in college was also a struggle. Because those are things that could have helped me once I decided to chase my dream again. It may be peanuts to some, but I took my first real losses during this journey, I did an event in 2019 and lost a total of 13, 000 because I did not profit the way I wanted to. I cried for days! Those types of things are the struggles nobody could ever prepare you for. But we live and we learn, we never lose.
We’ve been impressed with Queen Chef Seasoning, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
You should know that QCS is truly a brand that is cultivated from the heart. My brand has my purpose all throughout, even from the mission statement being on the front of every seasoning bottle. I specialize in creating flavors, mixtures in a way that tastes amazing and makes people feel good. One of my favorite compliments is “you cook like an old lady”! Over the years I have had people come and tell me how their food reminds them of a deceased loved one and I love that can give people that small feeling of goodness through something I took my time and made. In the cities I have done business I am known for amazing southern comfort food. Joy’s home cooking slogan is “southern comfort with a twist”. What sets me apart from others is the passion you can see and feel in what I do. I take my time, I love what I do and enjoy showing others how to do it as well. What sets Queen chef seasoning apart is that this is a gourmet collection of COMPLETE seasoning blends. By complete I mean that I have already put the time into curating the perfect mix of spices and herbs so that you do not have to use 4/5 different things in one dish. I have done the leg work with these seasonings and that is what makes them gourmet; I have taken the finest ingredients and skillfully paired them for you.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I am always looking others who love to cook to share the seasonings with so that they can use them and potentially share them with their audiences. I am also looking to start a cooking segment on YouTube so I intend to travel and meet more people who love to cook… and eat. I am always open to cooking with others to create entertainment but most importantly teach those who want to learn. Also with Home Cooked Conversations coming soon I would love to have the support of everyone who believes in the power of conversations. I have some amazing conversations in that book and it will truly be life changing for those who want to see and understand the power of good conversations firsthand. And of course, buy some seasonings, you won’t regret it.
Contact Info:
- Email: queenchefseasonings@gmail.com
- Website: www.queenchef.info
- Instagram: queenchefseasoning
- Facebook: Queen Chef Seasoning
- Twitter: QueenChef__
- Youtube: Queen Chef
