Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Smallwood.
Ashley, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Cooking has always been a passion of mine since I was a little girl. My grandmother was always in the kitchen and I just wanted to be with her. When she would send my cousins outside to play, I would stay back and help out in the kitchen. For me, it was fun, a way for me to express myself and put a smile on other peoples face. My grandmother passed away in 2011 & I felt like I had the keep my word to her about getting my degree. In 2012, I became a full-time mom (having a child shouldn’t STOP you, it should MOTIVATE you!!), in 2013, I became I full-time student at Le Cordon Bleu (Atlanta) and in 2015, I became a Graduate of Le Cordon Bleu!! Once I graduated, I knew that I had to put my degree to use and the rest is history. I opened Rudine’s in 2015 with absolutely no clue about being a business owner. My husband thought I was crazy but sometimes, you have to have faith!! Within a few months, I had my 1st client, people started to ask for business cards and the rest is history.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
This journey definitely has not been smooth but that’s ok. If it was easy, everyone would do it. The culinary industry is a male-dominated industry and it’s extremely hard to make a name for yourself. There have been times where I’m booked every weekend for the entire month but there are also times when I don’t have any events booked at all. I used to question if I did the right thing, but I had to learn to be patient.
What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of? What sets you apart from others?
Rudine’s specializes in fresh homemade food with a culinary twist. You can enjoy daily, for birthdays, weddings, showers, and any other special. We pride ourselves in coming up with unique alternatives to the boring old standards. I love the look on the elderly women’s face (their always the hardest critic😂) when they take a bite of something I’ve prepared… that’s the ultimate stamp of approval for me. If THEY like it, I know that I’m doing something right. What sets us apart from others is the quality of our service. I’m really big on using the freshest produce available (a lot comes from my own organic garden). Presentation, presentation, presentation is a MAJOR thing! You eat with your eyes 1st, so if it ain’t sexy… it ain’t Rudine’s.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
My ultimate goal in life is to have a restaurant, well actually a few that offer different types of cuisine. I want as many people to taste my food as possible, this is my way to connect with people. I feel like with every plate I prepare my grandmother’s legacy lives on.
Eventually, I want to get my kids involved too. My oldest son was diagnosed with Autism in 2016 that was a huge eye-opener. It made me very aware of the things we choose to put into our bodies. There are so many tasty but healthy treats for kids to enjoy. I understand the life of a mother (I have 3 and a husband) but healthy eating starts at home!!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.rudinesllc.com
- Phone: 4044475574
- Email: rudinesllc@yahoo.com
- Instagram: @_rudines_
- Facebook: @1RUDINES
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