Exploring Life & Business with Tyrone Banks of JoLinda’s Catering

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tyrone Banks.

Tyrone, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Originally, I started cooking as a means to survive. When my mother was struggling with addiction, I helped out at a local deli in Harlem making sandwiches. When I was about 15, I was living in Georgia with my sister and I became acquainted with a chef named Paul Anthony. He was the executive chef at Recess and I credit him for training me and really helping develop my love of cooking. In high school, I was in the Georgia apprenticeship program and helped in my school’s cafeteria. During my early cooking journey, I met Robert Owens. He had his own catering business and this is where I really felt “at home” in the cooking world.

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?
Having a difficult childhood is always a rocky foundation. Being raised by my sister and having to figure out a lot of things on my own sometimes lead me down the wrong path. While in high school, I learned a lot that got me to where I am. However, I didn’t graduate. When I was a senior my girlfriend at the time gave birth to my first child. To provide for Mckenzy, I dropped out to work full time. Thankfully the culinary industry has so many opportunities. I didn’t have to leave my passion to support my family. However, later in life after having other children, money became an issue, and I got mixed in with the wrong people and made some choices that took me away from them. Going away gave me time to think about the path I was on and it was then that JoLinda’s really started to form.

We’ve been impressed with JoLinda’s Catering LLC, 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?
JoLinda’s is my life’s work. It’s a legacy I’m building for my kids and it is the product of all that I have been through. I named the business JoLinda’s to honor my mother and I strive to always be a family-oriented, “people-first” caterer. My menu is inspired by the foods I grew up with and my own take on things I’m learning along the way. I specialize in comfort food with a twist. My menu is great for brunch and I get creative with the classics. One of my most popular options is the Chicken and Waffles, which can come with Hennesy Glazed Chicken and Peach Cobbler Waffles or the more adventurous Sweet Potato Collard Green Waffle and Jerk Chicken. While I thrive when being creative, I can also do classics like Smothered Chicken and sophisticated dishes like Braised Lamb.

What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Where you have been does not determine where you’re going. Being negative gets you nowhere. And the little ones are watching so show them the right way.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: jolindas.net
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jo_lindas/?hl=en
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@jolindas_catering

Image Credits
Taylor Washington