Today we’d like to introduce you to Belinda Byrd.
Belinda, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I attended culinary school at Scottsdale Culinary institute (now the defunct Le Cordon Bleu) from 1996-1998 in Scottsdale, Arizona. My career began in the hotels and resorts of Phoenix, to include Frank Lloyd wright school of Architecture, The Arizona Biltmore and Continental Catering. I completed my externship at the Atlanta Athletic Club in Duluth, Ga in 1998 only to return to Phx with my then 2-year-old son. Upon return to Phx I began working in the retirement communities as a lead chef and chose to follow career path in healthcare until 2016. When I left my position as Director of Food and Nutritional Services to begin Bites by Bonnie Catering.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
My business is still very new, no, it has not been smooth at all!! We have dreams of being successful entrepreneurs however there is still an arduous process! I’ve struggled with catering jobs being canceled at the last minute or clients not following through, not bringing in as much income as anticipated and taking losses on jobs because of the initial investment, acquiring proper equipment, and finding a licensed kitchen to work from!
Please tell us about Bites by Bonnie Catering.
I have a catering business. I am Chef and owner, I specialize in Cajun Creole, but I do it all! I think what I am most proud of is not only that I have 20 years’ experience in this industry, but that I have been able to find avenues within this industry to change my direction and be taken seriously. I am also very proud that being a woman, African American and almost 47 has only encouraged me to take the risks necessary to pursue my own business
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I would have had more money to work with in getting started!
Contact Info:
- Website: bitesbybonniecatering.com
- Phone: 404-913-4749
- Email: bonnie@bitesbybonniecatering.com
- Instagram: chefbonniebyrd
- Facebook: @bitesbybonniecatering
- Twitter: Chefbonniebyrd
- Yelp: Bites by Bonnie Catering
Image Credit:
Nikki Nickerson photography
Vicki Byrd
March 28, 2017 at 2:37 am
I personally can say the meals and deserts made by Bites by Bonnie is fabulous. The quality of her cooking speaks for itself. I wish I had access to Bonnie’s cooking on regular basis, but Oh well :-). I can also promise that my support for Bonnie’s business is not a biased decision, even though she’s my sister but a fabulous cook as well.