Meet Phillip Small of Small Bites Dining Company in North

Today we’d like to introduce you to Phillip Small.

Phillip, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I started out in the kitchen with my grandmother in St.Petersburg, FL. It was there that I learned how to serve and make food from the heart! Those times in the kitchen with her gave birth to me cooking on my own at the age of 12. The first meal I cooked on my own was a fried bologna sandwich with french fries. The passion grew into a love for cooking and it stayed with me through college as I was the “Grill Guy” at local parties and even in my dorm. There were weeks where I sold plates out of my room at the Great Bethune Cookman University! Food became a profession for me once my career in law enforcement ended. From the humble beginning of a bbq pit to massive kitchens around the city of Atlanta; I learned the food game from Chef Top! Chef Top was a great friend and mentor for me as he showed me the ropes of the kitchen and let me bump my head a lot. I’m eternally grateful that God allowed us to cross paths! Post Chef Top’s mentorship, food became my business after a conversation with friends & family. From there I got the business name Small Bites Dining Company & the rest is being written in the pages of history!

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?
It definitely has not been an easy path. As with anything great, struggles are apart of the journey, whether it was burnt or under-seasoned food, poor execution, terrible plating, high food cost & managing people, or sometimes just getting discouraged. These are the areas that stick out to me as I learned how to become a professional in the kitchen!

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Small Bites Dining Company – what should we know?
Small Bites Dining is the name of my company. I specialize in American Southern fusion with a whimsical twist, but if you want it, I can make it! I’m known for my Mango Pineapple Grilled Chicken with Tres Leche Sweet Potatoes and fried Brussel Sprouts. I also put a Tasty personal Crab Boil together with my signature sauce, “All of ‘em- Hot”! What makes me most proud of my journey is that I have no formal training. But with great passion and gift from God, coupled with some amazing people who poured into me and gave me chances along the way to get me to where I am today, I’ve been able to work on my craft. What sets me apart is my commitment to service. I cook food you can get just about anywhere, but it’s the excellence and experience while eating the food or the delivery of the food that sets me apart! I take pride in serving my clientele, and I want them to experience the joy and love that I put in the food!

Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
A “never quit” demeanor and foundation in faith! I trust that God has me, so quitting isn’t an option for me!

Contact Info:

• Phone: 4079007218
• Instagram: Small_Bites_Dining
• Email: Smallbitesdiningco@gmail.com

Image Credit:
Hunnus (Photographer)
Dominique Wright (Stylist)

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