Today we’d like to introduce you to Dayna Reid.
Hi Dayna, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I love food. Like literally. Both my parents have worked in the food industry at some point in their lives and they can cook! There was a time I was just interested in eating and not knowing how to cook. My mom called me out on that in the most embarrass Jamaican parent way. Queue all the emojis. After that, I started taking an interest in learning how to cook. It wasn’t the best then, but it was a start. I migrated to the States almost ten years ago. When I moved here, I was living with my dad, and he would do almost all the cooking. Talked about a spoiled young adult. LOL. In those early years, Food Network was my life. Morning, noon, and night. It made me wanted to create, experiment with food and flavors. Mixing my Jamaican heritage with the American’s. Fast forward, my mom was murdered, and I was left with a lot of unanswered questions and needed an outlet to cope. Cooking became that outlet for me. Not just cooking but cook her recipe and experiment with flavors just has she did. Not going with the status quo. I have said this a lot and it is a part of who I am now. “Cooking Is An Outlet. So, I started cooking more and not for self but for others. Which is a joy see others enjoying my food and my flavors. Which is not the norm, I like to take the most opposite of foods and bringing them together to be deliciousness. In 2019, I took the bold step and YaadiGurl Flava was born. I starting to share my food on social media and taking on clients. So far working on the food truck and doing a meet and greet with Slick Greedy was the best experiences so far and here we are three years later
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not been an easy road. Some of the struggles I have faced along the way is not focusing on culture but to be kingdom-minded. Getting started fund-wise and building up continuous recurring client/customer list. Also getting my name out there since I am not originally from the state of Georgia.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I would be glad to share more about myself. Hey Everyone! I am Dayna; YaadiGurl Flava. I am a National Certified Medical Assistant but cooking is where my heart and purpose is. Well both because I love to help and service others and I get to do both with each path.
YaadiGurl Flava™ specializes in Classic Authentic Jamaican Cuisine with a Twist.
We are best known for our Flava Wings; the flavas are endless but our Jerk Wings are #FlavaBomb. We are also known for our cooking classes, “Cooking With Flava”. Where I teach you how to make Classic Authentic Jamaican Dishes and the fun part you get to cook along with me and learn about the Jamaican culture and I drop a few Jamaican Patois (Patwah). Fun times!
I am most proud of my Valiant Victorious Spirit because giving up is not an option, also the dishes I have created over the years.
What sets me apart is, I love what I do because I get to be authentic creative unique me and express myself with my own flavas without limits.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
One thing I have learnt due to the Covid-19 Crisis is learning to pivot. I am learning to make changes as situation arise and if something doesn’t work; evaluate, process and keep moving. Because stuck is not an option.
Transition can be hard but with God’s grace and mercy; you can be stretched to the max but rebound with grace.
Pricing:
- Cooking Classes; Public or Private $25.00
- Green Seasoning & Escovitch Sauce $35.00
- Small Catering; Start at $1000.00
- Dinner In The Home: Start at $750.00
Contact Info:
- Email: food@yaadigurlflava.com
- Website: http://www.yaadigurlflava.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yaadigurl_flava/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yaadigurlfava
- Youtube: youtube.com/channel/UCV8ryORokKY_B-BrEKquhdA
Image Credits
Image credit goes to Fabian G Reid and YaadiGurl Flava™ LLC
