Today we’d like to introduce you to Calvin Buford.
Calvin, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Growing up in a single parent household with two other siblings, my mother depended on me for a number of tasks around the house; One of those tasks was preparing meals for the family. I remember vividly around the age of twelve she would say: “Calvin, if you don’t have any food ready when I arrive home, then there will be consequences for everyone!” That was all the motivation I needed to be introduced to cooking. I found a cookbook in the bottom kitchen drawer that caught my attention due to its pictures and detailed recipes. Tired of consequences, I then attempted to cook dinner for my family utilizing the cookbook. Surprisingly, it was actually tasteful. From that point forward, my mother requested me to cook more meals for the family. The older I became, the more I began to experiment with different recipes and ingredients. Cooking then became second nature. A number of my friends and family members urged me to take this talent seriously. So I began taking pictures of my meals and posting on Instagram to showcase my hobby. While using my social media platform, I coined the hashtag “Kooking With Calvin” and began to name and tag my cooking videos as so. Slowly but surely, more of my followers began to take interest in my hashtag. After I noticed the influx of attention my posts were receiving, I decided to take “Kooking With Calvin” to the next level by making it a LLC. I am still learning the ins and outs of running a business such as networking and marketing all while still delivering plates, catering, meal prepping, facilitating party events, and perfecting my craft. This is only the beginning for KOOKING WITH CALVIN!
Has it been a smooth road?
No true road to success is ever smooth; well, maybe only in the movies. There will always be trials and tribulations you must overcome in order to reach your goals. And on my journey, I have endured many personal struggles; too many to discuss. But I am a firm believer in the saying that “God makes no mistakes.” Instead, he places roadblocks in your life to see how you can push through or go around them. One of the struggles I am currently facing is keeping a steady balance of being a full-time mental health therapist, while also following my culinary dreams. Although this a daunting task, I am confident that I will find a way to make both of my passions work.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Kooking With Calvin story. Tell us more about the business.
Kooking With Calvin is an independent cooking business (for now). It started off as a simple idea which has transformed into many different branches of the food category. As of now, I serve as a private chef/meal prep and food caterer. I have also gained a great support base by delivering food plates at Morehouse and Clark Atlanta University. I have networked with some of the biggest club/party promoters in Atlanta while catering at their events. I am currently proud to see how supporting my mother and family has matriculated into a possible full-time career. As a chef, my personality is like no other. I’m not the “average chef” who comes, cooks, then leave without building rapport. I enjoy entertaining my guest in order for them to have a great experience all around.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
FOOD TRUCK! FOOD TRUCK! FOOD TRUCK! With my cooking skill and personality, I want to be able to travel while cooking. If possible, I would love to go on a statewide tour; documenting a fun cooking journey!
Contact Info:
- Phone: 661-236-2564
- Email: KookingWithCalvin@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kookingwithcalvin/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/kooking-with-calvin-atlanta
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