Today we’d like to introduce you to Kareena Lee-Edwards.
Kareena, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Hello, I’m Chef Reena Lee, Owner of Just a little bit and, Co-owner/ Head chef of Homestyle Paradise. I’m originally from New York City. I was raised with my mother, my two older sisters, my aunt, and her son. My mother was a single parent of 3 and head of the household. She also had two jobs and was going to school. Despite her busy schedule, she always made sure there was food on the table. I come from a Jamaican background, so I grew up eating a lot of Caribbean cuisine. Luckily for me, my mom and aunt made the best food hands down! One day after my mom graduated from nursing school, she got offered a job opportunity in Atlanta. At the age of 6, we all were Atlanta bound. During my childhood, I always loved being in the kitchen. I loved the way the spices and seasoning fragranced the whole house. Even more, I loved being the taste tester! At a young age, I was opened to a lot of different flavors and meats. For example, Curry chicken/goat, Brown stew chicken, Rice and Peas, Chicken foot soup, and on a good day Oxtails. Those were staples in my house! My oldest sister who is seven years older than me would ask me to help prepare dinner. I always thought she was super cool so, that was my opportunity to spend time with her. Plus, I was around food…even better!
My interest in food opened up even more at school when it was a career day. A few of the kid’s parents came to school dressed in uniform and taught us a little bit about their careers. Some parents were Firemen, Doctors, Policemen, etc. The one I found the most interesting was the Chef! Not to mention he was making chocolate covered strawberries!! I couldn’t miss out on that! It was one of the coolest things I ever ate in middle school. I never was the kid in school who liked to read novels and storybooks. What I enjoyed doing was getting cookbooks from the library, and practicing the recipes at home. For some reason, I always had an overwhelming sense of joy when I was cooking. I was the youngest and I didn’t have many responsibilities. So, when I began high school, it was my turn to make sure dinner was on the table. My first year of college, I decided to major in psychology. While I was in school, my mom’s friends always wanted me to make jerk chicken and other dishes for their parties. They loved the food, and I got paid. It was a Win-Win for me! I actually had fun and it was easy for me. It wasn’t until my best friend’s parents asked me to make some curry chicken for their party. After the party was over, everyone was ranting and raving over the dish I made. My friend looked at me and said in a joking tone, “OK girl, you should be a chef!”. Literally, it was like a lightbulb went off in my head and I said, ”Yes, I should”. Finally, I found my purpose in life. I soon after started to focus my attention on culinary school.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Unfortunately, the only thing that was smooth about this road was my passion for cooking. I told my mom that I wanted to change my major to culinary. That was not a response she wanted to hear! She did not support my decision. I felt like I was a disappointment to my mother. Trying to stay true to myself and living under her roof was too much for me to deal with. We began to become very distant until the point when I decided to move back to New York and stay with my father. Despite that, New York City felt like that right decision. While in New York I met my cousin, we were both 19 years old and our birthday we’re eight days apart. We instantly became close. A few months went by and she ended up getting me a position at her job. We both were waitressing at Johnny Rockets in Manhattan, NY on the seaport. I thought to myself, “You have to understand a menu, and how to set a table. Why not get the experience from this!”. One week went by, and it was time for my first check. Unfortunately, New York City had experienced Hurricane Sandy. Hurricane Sandy destroyed my job and many more around it. The worst part was it happened the day before I was supposed to get paid! After that experience, I had no job and I felt discouraged. Eventually, my mom and I relationship got better, and she bought me a ticket back home. Within the few months that I stayed in New York, I ended up discovering the Art Institute of New York. Luckily for me, there was a location in Atlanta. So when I got back, I applied, and got accepted into the Art Institute of Atlanta for culinary arts! The feeling of getting accepted gave me a sense of happiness and a clear direction. At the time, it was just what I needed in life. School taught me how to start a business, and I already knew what I wanted to name my company. I wanted to choose a name that reflects just a little bit of what I like to make, which wasn’t only Caribbean Cuisine. It was Cajun creole, Mexican, Italian, Asian, etc. That was it! Just a little bit! Perfect! A year went by, my grades were good and, my mom and I relationship was getting even better. Until I got into a bad car accident and totaled my car. I really messed up my back for a few months. I wasn’t able to start back school and it was very devastating for me. I didn’t know what to do, and once you stop going to school, it’s hard to get back in. I thought to myself, “I have no money, and no car, what’s my next move?”. I decided to apply to a lot of jobs. I ended up getting a job with a temp agency called Labor Ready at the time. Little did I know that job was going to open up many doors for me in the culinary field. Honestly, that’s how I got majority of my experience. I started working from a prep cook position and worked my way up to sous chef position. I even worked as a bartender, a waitress and with catering. I always told myself I never wanted to work for anyone but myself. At this time, I felt like I had acquired a lot of experience to do so. I was also able to save up some money because I invested a lot of my time into work. In the year 2015, I decided to get my LLC for Just a little bit! It was the best decision I’ve made for myself. Still to this day, it made me realize that I can be my own boss and that I am the creator of my own success.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Just A Little Bit – what should we know?
I provided a personal chef and small catering services. Services offered for:
> Small Weddings
> Dinner Parties
> Business/corporate luncheons
> Birthday parties
> Graduations
> Anniversaries
> Gathering
> Date night
> Entertainment events
> Meal preparation
> Controlled/Strict diet
> Grocery shopping
I specialize in a little bit of everything;
> Caribbean cuisine
> American cuisine
> Asian fusion
> Tex-Mex
> Mediterranean cuisine
> Italian cuisine
> Cajun Creole cuisine
> Vegan/vegetarian
> Seafood
> Raw foods
> Healthy living
> Backyard BBQ
What sets me apart is I’m a positive, ambitious, 26 years young chef whose purpose is to create and give back through my talents. It just so happens that one of my talents/ passion is cooking. The reason why I love to cook is because I love the feeling and connection food has on a person. You can use food; to provide entertainment, to bring families together, to show someone you love them or just the mere fact that it can put a smile on someone’s face. Food can change the energy in the room, especially if it tastes amazing. As well as it can be the highlight of an event. Not to mention, great-tasting food can make you feel good. Cooking for me is relaxing and it gives me a sense of power. The power that I can create/ change a person’s mood just by what can make with my hands.
My mission is to provide a wide range of great tasting cuisines that is inspired by my style of cooking and true authentic flavors. So If you’re looking for a meal that reminds you of places you’ve been, places you want to visit, or even just of home, grab your passport. Let your taste buds experience the different cultures and cuisines my services has to offer. Remember you’ll never know until you try Just a little b
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
I believe that being positive is very important for success.
Pricing:
- Personal chef services $250 per day plus groceries
- Catering start of $100 minimum
Contact Info:
- Address: Snellville Ga and. New York City
- Phone: 6784516626
- Instagram: chef_reenalee
- Facebook: Ja_littlebit
- Yelp: Just a little bit
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