Hidden Gems: Meet Chelsea; Tevin Burke of Kountry Kravings

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chelsea; Tevin Burke.

Hi Chelsea; Tevin, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Kountry Kravings is truly a family business built on faith, passion, and purpose. Husband and wife, Tevin and Chelsea Burke always knew we wanted to be entrepreneurs. Tevin is a jack-of-all-trades; however, cooking has always come naturally to him. One day he prepared a meal for TechOps staff at Delta Airlines and the feedback was incredible. That moment sparked something in us. At first, we dreamed of “Big Burkes BBQ,” but we knew his talent and our vision, could be even bigger.

The real turning point came after we had our second child. We were on family leave, and like many families, we weren’t getting paid during that time, but the bills didn’t stop. We were in a season where we needed to make something shake. That pressure, that vulnerability, became our push. Instead of letting the moment break us, we used it as fuel.

So, while on leave, we got to work. Chelsea came up with the name Kountry Kravings, created our business model, and together we completed all of the licensing and certifications we needed.

From there, everything took off faster than we imagined. We’ve cooked for intimate gatherings of five and large events serving over 300 guests. We’ve been food vendors at community festivals, provided private dining experiences, and delivered full-service catering for social gatherings and corporate events.

None of this would be possible without our phenomenal team and the support we’ve received along the way.

We credit every opportunity to God. The way doors have opened for us and the growth we’ve experienced… it’s bigger than us. Kountry Kravings isn’t just a business; it’s a blessing and a passion that we’re honored to share with others.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Not at all, and honestly, we’re grateful for that. Every challenge has helped shape us into the business owners we are today. When we first started, we were juggling a newborn and toddler, full-time jobs, and pouring our hearts into building a brand from the ground up.

There were long nights, early mornings, and seasons where we had to figure things out as we went.

One of the biggest adjustments was navigating a business with your spouse, learning how to communicate not just as partners in life, but as business partners too. We had to define our roles, trust each other’s strengths, and remember that we’re on the same team even when the pressure is high.

We also learned that every event isn’t meant for us. In the beginning, we said “yes” to everything, and sometimes invested far more than we received in return. We discovered that a big name attached to an event doesn’t automatically mean it’s a great opportunity. It took time to gain the confidence to be selective and protect the value of our brand.

Add in balancing work with very small children and there were definitely moments of overwhelm… moments where we questioned how it would all come together. But what kept us going was our belief in the vision and the support from our community.

We’ve learned to pivot quickly, stay creative, give ourselves grace, and trust God’s timing. Those roadblocks became lessons and those lessons became stepping stones.

We’re still growing, still learning, and still evolving. And we’re proud of how far we’ve come, while staying excited and expectant for what’s next.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Kountry Kravings is more than catering, it’s an experience. When people hire us, they’re not just getting food; they’re getting excellence, hospitality, and a team that genuinely cares about every detail. We specialize in high-quality southern-inspired cuisine, with food that is flavorful, thoughtfully prepared, and rooted in tradition.

Quality is at the core of who we are. We use prime cuts of meat, fresh and organic ingredients, farm-to-table produce, and pasture-raised eggs and butter. Early on, someone told us that we’d eventually learn to cut corners and switch to cheaper ingredients. But we never have. The integrity of our food matters too much. Our clients taste the difference.

We’re known for our smoked brisket and ribs (that don’t need a drop of sauce), our smoked wings, brisket and salmon tacos, smoked macaroni and cheese, and our signature brisket baked beans. These dishes have become client favorites because they’re made with technique and passion.

What truly sets us apart is our commitment to impeccable customer service. From the very first conversation, we listen to what the client wants, understand their vision, and communicate with professionalism and warmth every step of the way. On event day, we go above and beyond, not just serving as caterers, but often stepping in as wait staff, helping guests, replenishing stations, and ensuring the entire experience is seamless. Many clients don’t realize how much extra care they’re receiving until they see it unfold, and they’re always blown away.

Our team treats every client and every guest with respect and hospitality. We make sure our staff is aligned, trained, and able to provide that elevated level of service that we’re known for. It’s that consistency in food and in service that keeps our clients coming back.

What we’re most proud of, brand-wise, is that we built this business from the ground up with no roadmap. No mentors, no blueprint. Just faith, research, trial and error, and a shared determination. We learned, we adjusted, we grew, and we did it together.

At the heart of Kountry Kravings is a simple truth, we love what we do, and we want every client to feel that love in every bite and every interaction.

We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
When it comes to risk-taking, I believe that every meaningful opportunity requires some level of uncertainty. Whether you consider yourself a natural risk-taker or not, stepping into anything new, especially entrepreneurship will always stretch you beyond your comfort zone.

For us, starting Kountry Kravings was the biggest risk we’ve ever taken. We launched a business with no formal roadmap, no guarantees, and at a time in our lives when it probably made the least sense on paper. We had small children, full plates, and a lot to learn. But we also had a vision, a passion, and a conviction that this was bigger than us.

Risk, to us, isn’t about being reckless. It’s about having the courage to trust your gifts, to believe in what God placed inside you, and to move forward even when the outcome isn’t certain. It’s understanding that fear will be present, but faith has to be louder.

There were moments when investing in equipment felt risky. Saying “no” to certain clients felt risky. Transitioning from what was comfortable to what was possible felt risky. But every risk taught us something. Some rewarded us immediately, and others grew us in ways we didn’t expect.

What I’ve learned is that risk-taking isn’t about avoiding fear, it’s about not letting fear make your decisions. The biggest blessings in our business came from moments where we trusted our instincts and stepped into the unknown with intention, preparation, and faith.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: kountrykravingsllc
• Facebook: Kountry Kravings
• Other: https://linktr.ee/kountrykravings