Today we’d like to introduce you to Keiona Jackson.
Keiona, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I am Chef Keiona Jackson (Chef Kei), owner of Kei Gourmet, and Co-founder of Formidable Culinary Consultants. I have over 20 years of experience in the culinary industry. Prior to the covid-19 pandemic, I was an Executive Chef and Restaurant General Manager for Marriott. Back then, my claim to fame was being the First African American Executive Chef of Oxford, MS.
Like so many 2020 changed my life in turn Kei Gourmet was birthed. Kei Gourmet a private/personal chef company that caters to athletes and professionals: who wanted to experience restaurant-quality gourmet meals in the comforts of their homes.
Fast forward to 2022, Kei Gourmet has expanded our territory and services offered. Currently, we offer: Intimate dinners for parties up to 30 people; long and short-term contracts with customized menus; food-preneur business consulting; menu development for restaurants; and a consumer line of gourmet sauce and seasoning that has previously only been available to business owners.
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?
The biggest obstacle I’ve faced was learning how to pivot. Pivoting in business is essential for growing and staying relevant in the culinary industry. Being in a service-based business, no customers = no cash flow = no cash = going out of business… For example; I started selling plates out of my home during the height of covid-19, and when the restaurants re-open that died out, so I had to learn to pivot and figure out what my next move would be.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Kei Gourmet?
K Jackson Holdings dba Kei Gourmet is a multifaceted organization that offers all things culinary such as: private and personal chef contracts for athletes, celebrities and professionals. “The Ultimate Couples Dinner”, which is an in-home experience that provides: a couples massage, decor, a musical serenade, and a meal served by a certified chef. A line of gourmet wing sauces and seasonings; menu development and consulting for restaurants and food entrepreneurs. I am also a world food competition judge.
Kei Gourmet offers superior customer services and discretion with exemplary cuisine. I’ve coined the phase Soul-Elegance “Where Fine Dining Meets the Soul”, because I take my grandmother’s dishes and put a fine dining flair to them. I am currently based in Memphis TN, however I offer travel with the United States.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I have never been afraid of anything, and believe you never really live if you do take risk. I live by the wise tell; no risk no reward. I am the first First African American Executive Chef of a still very racist town in Mississippi. That took skill, grit, courage, and pull risk taking, because I fought against the odds.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.keigourmet.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/keigourmet2020
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/keigourmet
Image Credits
Tenola Plaxico
