Today we’d like to introduce you to Tameka King.
Tameka , we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
CJ’s Food Fantasy Too LLC is more than a business, it’s a legacy. Born from the vision of my aunt, Cynthia Henderson, CJ’s Food Fantasy began in the late 1990s as a small food concessions venture in Cobb County, Georgia. The name “CJ” stood for Cynthia and her son, Johnathan, a tribute to the family roots that nourished the business from the start.
My aunt was a fearless entrepreneur, always chasing opportunity with boldness and heart. She had a gift for spotting a niche and diving in headfirst. What started as a modest operation at local shows soon blossomed into a thriving commercial food concessions company. In those early years, she was joined by my grandfather and her sisters, building a team that grew alongside the business.
But Cynthia was more than a businesswoman. She was one of my favorite people in the world. Our bond was deep, indescribable, and only grew stronger as I matured. During college, she often asked me to help with her shows. I needed the money, so I said yes, but what I gained was far more than a paycheck. I gained experience, wisdom, and a front-row seat to her resilience.
Diagnosed with lymphoma in 1995, during my senior year of high school, Cynthia didn’t let cancer define her. For over two decades, she continued to grow her business, defying the odds with grace and grit. In her final ten years, she leaned on me more and more and more entrusting me with responsibilities that ranged from managing inventory and making food purchases to traveling for shows and building vendor relationships.
We talked often about the future of the business. She asked if I wanted to take it over, and I always said, “Nah, I’m not interested in being a businesswoman.” The work was demanding, physically and mentally, and I didn’t think I was up to the task. She considered selling but never felt right about letting it go to someone else. She held on.
Cynthia was one of the few African American women running a major food concessions company in Atlanta. Her legacy mattered—not just to her, but to me. And as fate would have it, the business would eventually become mine.
In March of 2017, her health began to decline rapidly. By April, she was gone. But even in the ICU, she was giving me instructions, telling me what needed to be done for the upcoming festival. So, I did it. I bought the food, hired the crew, supervised operations, and kept her business running while she fought for her life.
Each day, I taught in the morning, ran business errands in the afternoon, and sat with her in the ICU until midnight. That routine lasted two weeks. On the final day of the first show I ran solo, I received the call: there was nothing more the doctors could do. I had to make the decision to remove her from the ventilator.
That day was filled with pain, fear, and loss. But one choice was clear: I would continue CJ’s. Somehow, through the heartbreak and hustle, our bond grew even stronger woven into the very fabric of the business she built.
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?
The journey hasn’t been without its struggles. Learning to manage people, budgets, and logistics has tested me in ways I never imagined, stretching my patience, sharpening my instincts, and shaping my character. Balancing it all while teaching full-time (now in my 24th year) and running a small private therapy practice has been nothing short of miraculous.
CJ’s is an outdoor, tented concession business, which means every show is at the mercy of the weather. We’ve endured storms, floods, heat waves, and cold snaps. Regardless of the conditions, the staff still had to be paid, and the overhead still loomed. I quickly learned that business ownership isn’t all glitz and glam, it’s grit. It’s late nights, early mornings, crew dynamics, food quality, brand protection. It’s all of that and more.
My aunt built this business on fresh, handmade food and a no nonsense attitude. That was a skill I had to learn, how to lead with strength, not sentiment. You can’t run a business like this wearing your heart on your sleeve. You need tough skin and impeccable people skills.
Eighty percent of our menu is made from scratch, and that demands consistency and craftsmanship. Customers don’t care if you’re short-staffed, operating in the red, or juggling a dozen behind-the-scenes issues. They want exceptional food and service, every time. And that remains my goal: every meal, every show, no exceptions.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about CJ’s Food Fantasy Too! LLC?
CJ’s Food Fantasy Too! LLC is a small woman-owned food concessions company. Our business was started by Cynthia Henderson over 25 years ago out of a love for serving people delicious foods in an open air and festive environment. It has been owned and operated by her niece, Tameka S. King since April of 2017.
Our business is outdoor festival and small event concessions and we have built a name for ourselves serving fresh food that is never prepackaged or pre-made, with great attitudes and excellent customer service.
Our menu has featured our well known staple items for over 25years, which include our famously Fried Whiting and Fried Catfish Baskets. However, our newest menu additions that include Jerk, Garlic Parmesan, and Mango Habanero Chicken Tenders and our Loaded Fry options have taken our customers by storm! Once you taste our delicious hand-battered Catfish and hand-battered Chicken tenders you’ll never forget us! Everyone follows the orange shirts and the awesome smells! CJ’s promises Fresh Food! First Class Service! Every time!
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
Currently, CJ’s operates as a seasonal business, running from late March through mid-October each year. Looking ahead, I plan to expand into special event catering and food truck ownership within the next five to seven years. As I approach retirement from my primary career, I’m excited about the possibilities, growing the business through travel, private contracts, and customized catering services. The goal is to take CJ’s beyond the tent and into new markets, while continuing to honor the legacy it was built on.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://cjsfoodfantasytoo.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cjsfoodfantasytoo?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CJsFoodFantasyToo/
Image Credits
Owner’s Professional Photo- Shon Holifield of J Shon Digital Media.
Business Photos- Tameka S. King
