Hidden Gems: Meet Adeola Ganny of REA Kitchen & Rentals & Genesis Ballroom

Today we’d like to introduce you to Adeola Ganny.

Hi Adeola, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I hold a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and a postgraduate degree in Information Technology from Nigeria. After spending some time in London, I relocated and became a stay-at-home mom. At the time, I wasn’t working professionally, but I had always loved cooking. It started as a passion—I would volunteer to cook for friends, family, and church events simply because I enjoyed bringing people together through food.

About 21 years ago, I began cooking more regularly for my small circle. What started as a hobby slowly became something people recognized me for. However, life took an unexpected turn. My husband lost his job, I was pregnant, and less than four months into my pregnancy, we received the diagnosis that our child had Down syndrome. It was an overwhelming and difficult season for our family. Everything felt uncertain, but I held on to my faith and focused on finding a way forward.

With the need to support my family, I made the decision to turn my passion into something that could generate income. Around 17 years ago, I started selling bowls of food after church services. On a good day, I would make about $60. It was not easy—the journey came with challenges, including moments of discouragement, criticism, and even people taking food without paying. Eventually, I stopped selling, but during that short period, I had unknowingly built a reputation—people knew I could cook well.

Then came a turning point. A Sister from my church was preparing for her wedding but was unhappy with the caterer she had hired after a disappointing food tasting. She shared her concerns with her friend, who happened to be my best friend. When I heard about it, I offered to help by cooking 80% of the food to complement what the caterer would provide—just to ensure her guests had good food.

The only challenge was space. I was living in an apartment and didn’t have the capacity to cook for a large crowd. Thankfully, my friend offered her backyard for us to use. With full transparency, I provided a grocery list and had the bride handle the payments directly with my friend while we shopped together. I had never cooked on that scale before, but I took a leap of faith. I did not charge a dime for my time and labor. It was a whole week of shopping and preparation.

That event became my first time cooking for 300 guests.

From that wedding, everything changed. Guests began asking for my business card—but I didn’t even have one at the time. Shortly after, my other friend helped me create one, and that moment marked the true beginning of my catering business.

What started as a hobby, born out of passion and strengthened through adversity, became the foundation of REA Kitchen & Rentals, a business I run today.

As I began to recognize that this was more than just a way to make ends meet—that it was truly a path for me—I made a deliberate decision to invest in myself. I went back to college and earned a bachelor’s degree in Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Management. I didn’t want to be limited to just ethnic catering; I wanted to understand the industry as a whole and position myself to serve a diverse clientele.

That decision became one of the best investments I ever made. It gave me the knowledge, confidence, and structure I needed to grow. More importantly, it allowed me to expand my offerings and build a brand that could cater across cultures and events. Being versatile has opened many doors for me and brought tremendous exposure within the industry.

By the grace of God, our work began to speak for itself. Venues in Atlanta recognized the quality and consistency we bring, and we were honored to become preferred vendors at several locations. That level of trust and recognition was a major milestone in my journey.

With growth came vision. About 11 years ago, I started thinking beyond catering—I began to dream about owning an event venue. I wanted to create a space where people could celebrate life’s most important moments, supported by the level of excellence I had worked so hard to build.

Four years ago, that vision became a reality with the birth of Genesis Ballroom ATL.

Hallelujah!

Alright, 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?
Oh no—it has been anything but smooth. The journey has been very challenging. I was raising three children, including one with special needs, while trying to balance being a mother, a wife, a cook, and at one point, a student. It was a lot to carry at once.

In the early stages, resources were extremely limited. I had to work with what I had. For a long time, I cooked by myself because there wasn’t enough profit to hire help. I didn’t have a proper space to operate from, which made things even more difficult. As the business started to grow, new challenges came—especially learning how to balance costs with profit. Many customers didn’t always understand the value of full-service catering, and at times felt my pricing was too high, not realizing everything that goes into delivering that level of service.

There were also the hurdles of certifications and licensing, which can be overwhelming when you’re starting out. Eventually, I was able to secure a spot in a shared kitchen, which was a major step forward and gave me the structure I needed to operate more professionally.

As the business expanded, recruiting and training the right staff became another challenge. Building a reliable team takes time, patience, and consistency.

However, one of the most difficult seasons I faced was during the renovation of my event space. That experience tested me in every way. I encountered a contractor who was not properly vetted, and it turned into a very stressful situation—he abandoned the project and constantly changed estimates. It felt overwhelming, and at times, I didn’t know how I would push through.

What was originally estimated to take six months ended up lasting seventeen months. During that entire period, I was carrying a significant mortgage with no business operations or income coming in.

It was an incredibly heavy burden—financially, mentally, and physically. The uncertainty was overwhelming at times, and the pressure of sustaining both the business and my family during that period was intense. There were moments that felt truly terrifying.

But through it all, my resilience and my faith in God kept me going. Even in moments where I felt like I was drowning, I didn’t give up. Looking back, those challenges didn’t break me—they built me, strengthened my vision, and prepared me for where I am today.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about REA Kitchen & Rentals & Genesis Ballroom ?
We are a full-service catering and event company dedicated to creating memorable experiences through food and presentation. What started as a small passion project has grown into a brand known for quality, consistency, and excellence. We don’t just provide food—we create an experience that reflects each client’s vision and the significance of their event.

We specialize in full-service catering for weddings, corporate events, and social celebrations. Our services go beyond just cooking; we handle menu curation, food presentation, service execution, and overall guest experience. One of our strengths is versatility—we are not limited to one style or culture of cuisine. We pride ourselves on being able to deliver diverse menus while maintaining high standards across the board.

What sets us apart is our attention to detail and our commitment to service. We understand that every event is unique, and we take the time to tailor our offerings to each client. From the first consultation to the final plate served, we are intentional about delivering excellence. Our team is trained not just to serve, but to represent the brand with professionalism and care.

We are also proud to be recognized by several venues as a preferred vendor, which speaks to the trust we’ve built within the industry. That level of credibility didn’t come overnight—it was earned through years of hard work, consistency, and delivering on our promises.

In addition to catering, we expanded our vision by launching our own event space, Genesis Ballroom ATL. This allows us to offer clients a more seamless experience by combining both venue and catering under one roof, while still maintaining flexibility for those who want either service independently.

Brand-wise, what I am most proud of is the growth and the reputation we’ve built from the ground up. This is a business that was born out of resilience, faith, and determination. We’ve grown from selling small bowls of food after church to executing large-scale events, and that journey is reflected in the way we serve our clients today.

What I want readers to know is that when you work with us, you’re not just hiring a catering company—you’re partnering with a team that genuinely cares about your event. We bring passion, experience, and a personal touch to everything we do, and our goal is always to leave a lasting impression.

Who else deserves credit in your story?
I would not be where I am today without God and the incredible support system around me. First and foremost, I give all the glory to God for all that He has done in my life. Secondly, my family has been my foundation. My husband, Ganny, has been loving, patient, and unwavering in his support through every season. My children have been a constant source of motivation and strength, and my sister, Dayo Shonubi, has supported me in ways that truly matter.

I’ve also been blessed with amazing friends who stood by me and believed in my vision early on. Desola George and Tosin Tewe played important roles, especially during key moments when I needed encouragement and practical support. My cousin, Sade, has also been part of that strong support system.

Spiritually, my journey has been guided and strengthened by my faith, and I am grateful for my spiritual father, Pastor Joe Tarkon, whose guidance and prayers have been instrumental along the way.

In the business itself, I have to recognize Diahann Brooks, our operations manager, whose dedication and leadership have helped keep everything running smoothly. Alongside her, our entire team deserves credit—the staff who show up, put in the work, and represent the brand with excellence.

I’m also deeply grateful to the planners and, most importantly, our clients who trusted us with their events. Their belief in our service gave us the opportunity to grow, refine our craft, and build the reputation we have today.

This journey has never been a solo one—it truly takes a village, and I am thankful for every single person who has been part of the story.
For anyone reading my story, no matter where life has placed you, don’t give up. Start from somewhere—no matter how small. Never despise humble beginnings; they often carry the seeds of something greater.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share my experience.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.Reakitchenrentals.com
• Instagram: Reacatering
• Facebook: REA Catering
• Other: https://www.Genesisballroomatl.com