Today we’d like to introduce you to Joshua Coleman.
Hi Joshua, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Like the age-old adage. “Once upon a time.” I was a young child (5 or 6), and like many southern families, we would meet at “Granny’s” house for dinner. I loved the smells and conversations that would spill over in the kids playroom. It always seemed like a party. I finally decided to see what all the fuss was about, and there was my Granny giving out instructions to my mom, aunts and older female siblings/cousins.
I rushed to ask what I could do to help. My first opportunity was to fill the ice tray, and with the help of a chair, I did it! Now I had to put it in the freezer. Who knew this was a level 10 on the difficulty meter. Yet, with help, I did it! After that, I graduated to rolling lemons for scratch-made BBQ sauce. Then boiling an egg. From there, I was hooked. I have always had a big and active imagination, so cooking was my canvas. It allows me to be creative and express my artistic abilities. It was also a way to connect as life back then was by many accounts, tragic.
So after experiencing stints of hunger and homelessness, I bring my passion for people and food to the forefront of my company and food. Truly putting my passion or heart on the plate.
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?
Smooth as the face of a mountain, I would say. It’s been a “character-building” climb. I’m grateful for the short-lived peeks and the stress-filled valleys. Each is an opportunity to transform and learn myself. I’ve cooked for free for over ten years as life’s circumstances had me in dead-end jobs that didn’t fulfill but paid the bills if you know what I mean.
I met so many great people and built some great relationships to network from later, but my childhood hunted me. I was so broken from living a poverty-stricken life that I lacked the mental clarity and resources to truly chase my passion, so I ran out of money or pushed my passion to the back of my mind to “survive” in the moment. The biggest blow was losing my mother to breast cancer two weeks after I married my wonderful wife. This blew a hole in my reality as she had fought for eight years. I had all but given up on my business, dreams, passion etc.
God blessed me with a dynamic spouse and she lit the fire to push me to be the best version of myself. So each day, I get up and go after it!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
What I do is connect, motive, heal and inspire! I do this as a speaker, chef, servant and leader. A plate of food connects us in ways words cannot. A phenomenal encounter where energies are matched can change the trajectory of someone’s life. Great service can leave a lasting impression.
I’m known by my wife as the “Mayor” because I never meet a stranger. My father calls me “Papa Smurf” because I’m wise beyond my years. My mother called me her “Peacemaker”. I’m known to motivate all I encounter to strive to be the best version of themselves each day and also a pretty good cook.
I’m most proud of being a husband and father to a beautiful wife and two high-energy and adorable daughters. Girl dad for life! They push me when nothing else will. What set me apart is my compassion for people. I have a vision and the vision encircles a number far greater than my loved ones only. My goal is to serve and fulfill God’s purpose for my life. My drive and ambition are unwavering, but I am just as happy to see you winning also.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
No one memory sticks out more than my grandmother’s hugs. We didn’t always have “things,” but we always felt loved.
Pricing:
- Weekly Menu items $25 to $7
- Catering Events start at $500 and go up from there
- Meal Prep Subscription range from $250 to $800 per month
Contact Info:
- Email: CookingWithJoCo@gmail.com
- Instagram: CookingWithJoCo
- Facebook: CookingWithJoCo
Image Credits
MadDope Studios
