Check Out Courtney Rutledge’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Courtney ‘ Catering Court’ Rutledge.

Hi Courtney, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I started doing hair as a child with six sisters my mom couldn’t do hair so it was up to me to do it for them. As the years went on I began to like it but I wouldn’t say I loved it. But I kept it up. In 2009 I got married to my husband we eventually had four children, two daughters Kirsten, Aubri and Twins, sons. By this time, I knew I couldn’t get a job with daycare fees being so expensive so I opened a Salon. I kept it open for a year after realizing it was something I liked but it wasn’t my heart.

Over the years, I lost so many jobs because me and family were young, trying to make ends meet off one paycheck. I had to stay home and raise our children while my husband provides. Eventually, after my husband got into his 3rd year as a Long Shoreman in Savannah, we could breathe finally. Our children started public school and I realized I had to do something I love. In 2015 I decided to launch my Catering Service (Catering Court). I knew I loved food and I enjoyed watching people enjoy it as well. I went from selling dinners to catering 300 plus weddings, baby showers, parties. I felt like I was the It Girl of food, lol. My heart had found love again. Over the years, I’ve pushed my business with the help of my husband, my mom, my sisters, my children, friends, aunts, my bff’s and close family members. Not to mention my grandma Joann talking about cooking?

My grandma can make anything taste good. My family comes from a long line of cooking. My great-granddad was a kosher chef. My great uncle, Chef Vero , is also a top chef. I get excited talking about my family. Back to me, after building my business, I felt I wasn’t done yet. That isn’t it for me. I knew I wanted to help people. I knew I want my children to know what it means to give back. So for the past few years, I have cooked dinners for displaced families, Multiple Organization’s , and we also donate bikes for children during Christmas along the side of Kings and Queens Carwash in Savannah. I get a joy out of helping others. I feel so proud of the example me and my husband are setting for our children. Sometimes when we’re riding home and we see the homeless before I can reach in my pocket, my 7-year-old twin sons ‘Ali &Eli’ have already dug in their pockets to give. We have to always realize we have to give back. Especially when you haven’t always had it.

My husband and children are my everything. Sometimes You need that push to keep going and for me being a Chef isn’t enough. Recently I finished my classes to be a Nutritionist. Along with that, I started healthy meal prep, which is doing pretty well. My husband recently started a Religious Clothing Line called Religion Graffiti, which I enjoy being a model for as well. Lol, Right now today, my focus is to focus more on giving. My faith, my family and building an empire for my children and my children’s children if that makes sense. Sometimes when I sit and think, I wonder, “How do I do it all? “ Without the man upstairs and the one that has been beside me ten plus years, I wouldn’t have been able to do it.But because of them both, I’m a caterer, chef, giver, model, mom, wife, sister, nutritionist, therapist,friend, etc. Just call me Wonder Woman! Lol

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Having children and trying to build without help when you’re trying to work only to provide. There had been times when we haven’t always had we had to live with my parents just to get back up. But we made it as a family. I cried many nights, asking God to lead me and guide our family to financial stability. It was so hard seeing my husband get up go to work and I had to stay home watching our children to make ends meet. But when they got old enough to start free school. I took off like I was hustling for my family’s last meal. I was hungry not physically but for financial stability.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a Caterer and Nutritionist. I specialize in Southern Cuisine. Aka soul food and healthy food prep. I’m proud of my family and business. What sets me apart from the rest is I won’t stop. I can’t stop helping others. I can’t just stop at catering and being a nutritionist. I have to keep going to help mothers that were like me, thinking they were never going to do anything or succeed in life because they have children. As a mother and wife, first, family is all the motivation you need. I keep going. My next step is to open up a shelter for the displaced family, especially For mothers with children. I want to be the help and motivation they need to keep going.

We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
That I would give my last to anyone stranger or not, I love to help others I wanna be that help and push they have been praying for.

Contact Info:

• Email: courtcancook@yahoo.com
• Instagram: courtcancook
• Facebook: Courtney Rutledge

Image Credits
Infinity Photos