Today we’d like to introduce you to Kirbee Miller.
Kirbee, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My heart is in the kitchen. I started cooking and baking at a very young age. I have always loved the creative process of making delicious food. Growing up in Michigan in a cooking family and surrounded by neighbors with various cooking styles, I had a diverse training ground. Whether it was assisting my mother as she made her famous peach cobbler or watching my neighbor as she roasted peppers for her delicious stuffed peppers known around the neighborhood or taking in every detail as my aunt made her legendary seafood gumbo, each session in the kitchen was invigorating! I recall sitting for hours looking through cookbooks with fascination! I would select a variety from my mother’s backer’s rack, find a quiet place often behind the couch with a blanket, and just get lost in my own culinary world of imagination and possibilities.
After high school, I moved to Nashville Tennessee. That is where I got my degree in Biology and Chemistry, my Masters in Healthcare informatics, found the love of my life and created a home. Nashville has a rich culinary history and living in the epicenter and burgeoning city of Nashville, there is a beautiful mixture of traditional southern food, international cuisine and foods from all of the ‘transplant’ residents that have also made Nashville their home.
I introduced KiNiMi Kitchen in 2017. People need people. However, we often rush past or dismiss people if we don’t “see” them. Food is a powerful equalizer that can start beautiful conversation and connection. KiNiMi Kitchen’s mission is to cultivate immersive culinary experiences that promote inclusion and connection. I launched this multidimensional brand to share my love for food and people via an online cooking show, cooking classes, as well TV appearances in the Nashville and Chattanooga markets, Pop-Up shops at locations such as Williams Sonoma and Pottery Barn. Most recently, I launched an artisan popcorn line, “KiNiMi Pop.”
KiNiMi Kitchen is my opportunity to share my passion with all of you while spending time in the kitchen with friends and family learning, exploring and most importantly, creating memories. Thank you for taking the time to stop by. I hope you find a little piece of inspiration and some great recipes to share with those you love!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No! it has not been a smooth road. However, one of my favorite quotes by Haruki Murakami says “And once the storm is over, you won’t remember how you made it through, how you managed to survive. You won’t even be sure, whether the storm is really over. But one thing is certain. When you come out of the storm, you won’t be the same person who walked in. That’s what this storm’s all about.”
Being an entrepreneur and maintaining a full-time career is challenging on its own. However, my whole world was rocked on New Years’ Eve 2018, when my parents were in a terrible car accident and critically injured. I spent the next 5.5 months sleeping in the hospital, navigating being their bedside advocate, working and running my company in the late hour hours. I ended up moving from my home to care for them. My mom is now paralyzed and unable to even sit up on her own and has a significant brain injury that has limited her ability to communicate. My step-father’s mobility was significantly impacted and he remains on a feeding tube. Just like that, everything changes. The day to day experience of a caregiver is extremely complex and demanding. This has been the hardest chapter of my life as I have continued to work full time, now remotely for a major medical center in Nashville, and keep life if in my brand KiNiMi Kitchen. Adversity truly introduces you to yourself. Through the tears, the fear, stress, and uncertainty, I know this pain is not without purpose. Seeing how drastically life can change in seconds has fueled my desire to pursue my passion and encourage others to do the same while living life to the fullest.
We’d love to hear more about KiNiMi Kitchen.
KiNiMi Kitchen specializes in creating connections and inspiring through food via cooking classes, as well as TV appearances, Pop-Up shops at locations such as Williams Sonoma and Pottery Barn. Most recently, I launched an artisan popcorn line, “KiNiMi Pop,” with delicious flavors such as Cajun, Cinnamon Twist and Rosemary Garlic! I am known for creating an environment where others feel seen and included while making cooking fun and accessible. As far as food goes, my Shrimp & Grits and Cajun popcorn are at the top of the list!
What sets me and KiNiMi Kitchen apart is the intention. My aim is not just to make money and gain popularity, but it is to invite people into an immersive experience, wow their tastebuds and create lasting memories.
Here are a few quotes from clients: “My favorite memory is walking over to the spread at the @careerthrivers launch and seeing how you’d branded the decor with my logo. Made my heart swell! It was so thoughtful and beyond expectation, and of course, everything on the spread was DELICIOUS!! I still want to know how to have pancakes that are sweet and delicious with 0 syrup lol! My favorite food memory is the last Mother’s day meal I had with my mom. It was just us two, ” – Brittany Cole, owner of Career Thrivers
“The first time I booked Kirbee Miller on Talk of the Town, I knew I had found a star! She’s comfortable on-the-air, lively and she exudes personality! I can always count on Kirbee to be on time and to put together a beautiful, mouth-watering food vignette. Kirbee is a foodie with a knack for cooking recipes that are easy and delicious, which is just what our viewers love!” – Tuwanda Coleman, Producer Talk of the Town WTVF Nashville
“The flavors are so thoughtful just like the experience she creates. The world is a more beautiful place because you are here!” – Mignon Francois, owner of The Cupcake Collection
“My favorite KiNiMi Kitchen/Kirbee story has to be when you hosted a special gratitude gathering at your house to thank all of the people who made a difference in your life/business and showed support over the previous year. That spoke so much to what Kirbee stands for and who you are as a person. The high caliber and diversity of people represented in that room was incredible!” – Jasmine Dary, owner of Twisted Corks
“My wedding cakes! Which was by far my favorite part of my wedding. Not only did we have a cake we had cake cups with different flavors and when we left that night after the wedding, we took like 25 of them with us and ate them in our hotel room quietly. We were so tired but so excited to eat them one by one recapping the night. 2. We went to an event celebrating KiNiMi kitchen and on our way home, we took a peach cobbler dessert home. Food shouldn’t be that dang good. We recorded the moment and it’s one of my favorite foodgasm experiences. 3. KiNiMi kitchen hosted a Mother’s Day brunch and I got to take both my mom and mother in law. They really enjoyed themselves and it felt so special to honor them that day.” – Chyna Jones
“My favorite story is when Kirbee and I met to discuss my birthday party and I gave you 2,835 ideas for Trinidadian food and you created that into a delicious meal.” – Joseph Riley Land, owner of Riley Land Collection
“Every experience has been absolutely awesome! I’ve had the good fortune to have KiNiMi Kitchen catering for several events, attend the Mother’s Day Brunch, a kitchen demonstration, and experience my ultimate favorite KiNiMi Pop on many occasions! Absolutely a 5-star experience in every way!”– Thallen Brassell, Attorney & founder of Lady Lunch Club.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
One of the most proud moments of my career so far would having India Arie share my KiNiMi Pop popcorn campaign on her IG! I had the opportunity to share KiNiMi Pop with her while she was in Nashville, then later on she encouraged her following to try it out too. It was magic! She is my favorite artist. I respect her creativity and craft. To have her share my product made me so proud that I took a chance on myself and put my piece of culinary creativity out in the world!
Pricing:
- KiNiMi in YOUR Kitchen – Virtual Culinary Companion – ingredient raid & recipe instruction 45 minutes @ $64.00
- KiNiMi in YOUR Kitchen – Private Virtual Culinary Group Cooking Class (2-10 people) 2 hours @ $111.00
- KiNiMi in YOUR Kitchen – Private Virtual Culinary Large Group Cooking Class (11 – 25 people) 2 hours @ $143.00
Contact Info:
- Website: www.KiNiMiKitchen.com
- Email: Kirbee@KiNiMiKitchen.com
- Instagram: @KiNiMiKitchen
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KiNiMiKitchen
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/kinimikitchen
- Other: https://linktr.ee/kinimikitchen?fbclid=IwAR3AE-qIqX8PSKHpIh7YtRmUoC7DwJLFtsJW1usrDegipgAprH5YcfdiTfk
Image Credit:
@klumsy.a | GenCon Media
@ porcheb | Porché B Photography
@authenticphotosanddesigns | Christy Hunter
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