Today we’d like to introduce you to Naja Brown.
Hi Naja, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started cooking about nine years ago when I first moved to GA. I got a major kick start by watching and helping my cousin Sharonda and Aunt Lisa in the kitchen (whether it was cooking or baking)whenever I was with them. The more I would be in the kitchen the more I loved being in there. So in high school, I took two years of foods class which turned out to be my favorite classes, because I learned how to express myself through food. The cooking channel and food network were the only channels my tv would stayed on. The Best Things I Ever Ate, Unique Sweets/Eats, Diners, Drive-in’s, and Dives, and Chopped were my favorite things to watch because that’s where I learned to experiment with different spices, flavors, and opened my eyes to the culinary world. For the longest, I was doing a lot of home cooking for my family and friends and small parties. They would always tell me that I needed to start selling my food but just the thought of doing that was super exciting but also scary. So I thought about it for the longest but I never knew where to start but once covid hit and I wasn’t working that’s when I figured it was a great time to start the.BlazinKitchen. It was a bit rough in the beginning trying to get everything together but, without the extensive help of my sister Larina, I don’t think I would have gotten through the promo stage because I didn’t know where to start. She was my main source of contact with getting my logo and menu designs done and figuring out all the internal work of a business. It has been a long road but I couldn’t have done it without my support system cause they assisted with any and everything I needed and still need.
Alright, 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?
No, not at all. Coming out of high school I wanted to go right into culinary school but that didn’t happen. I went to GGC for Business Management for three years which was not resting well with me so I changed it to Criminal Justice for a year. All the while my sister Shantina was telling me that I needed to stop listening to what others wanted me to do and just go towards my dreams in culinary. Once covid hit, I lost my job and school was feeling more and more of a chore rather than something I should be enjoying. So I finally took the training wheels off and a chance on myself. With that decision life began to hit me all at once, my self-confidence wasn’t all the way there, I was struggling mentally, and I was flat broke at one point. Some days it was hard to draw the strength to get stuff done, but I’m human. Even now that I’ve fought through most of those struggles, I still face day-to-day difficulties such as time. Some days I just don’t have enough time to squeeze in appointments or dates.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a personal chef that caters, meal preps, and do lunch plates. I am most known for my Taco Tuesday plates, where I alternate between doing birria and my signature taco plates. Being in the kitchen, cooking, and blasting music is my sacred place that I run to no matter what I am feeling. I am most proud of my most recent admission into culinary school so that I can better my craft and move forward in my culinary career the way I want to. What sets me apart from others is that I have a true passion for cooking. I love to show my creativity through my food and sharing that with others makes me the most proud. I try to extend my craft to any and everyone because I believe that I can do it all.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
I can truly say that I have an amazing support system. Without my people, I dont think I would be half as great as I am today. My support system has seen the good, the great, and the worst of me and my climb to get where I am now. And a SPECIAL shoutout goes out to:
My parents who have always made sure that I have been set up with everything I needed in life. Things haven’t always been the easiest with them but I wouldn’t trade them for the world. These people have molded me into the woman I am today. Growing up my dad was the main cook in my house so I would watch him create these different meals so effortlessly. one thing we bond over is food, swapping stories and experiences about food and different places we’ve been too. I can truly say I get my boldness and creativity from him; I am my father’s child. My mother being the easy-going parent has always keep a tight head on my shoulders. My mom is my everything, there aren’t enough words on this earth to describe how grateful I am for both of them.
My family for always being there for everything I do. Big events to small pop ups, you name it and they will also show an effort to make things happen. Not a normal family but definitely wouldn’t trade them for anyone else in this world. When Im down and out, I can call them for anything and they will always be there for me. My journey has been nothing short of a wild one but with their help, they’ve made it a pretty smooth ride. To my sisters Shantina, Larina, and Leatrice for pushing me toward the right choice. My brothers Brian and Jaylen for being my protectors, my headaches, and in home taste tasters. As annoying as you guys are my appreciation for all of y’all runs so deep. I love you guys so so so much!!
My crew for being A1 since day one, I love y’all to the moon and back! you guys ride for me so hard that it’s unbelievable. I love you guys like y’all are my blood family. Through thick and thin, the high and low, the affection that is projected onto me is unmatched. some of y’all I’ve known for 5+ years and some I’ve met within the last year or so yet, within those time frames you all have a special place in my heart. My crew doesn’t play about me and they are nothing to play with. We are in this til the wheels fall off, friends forever!!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.blazinkitchen/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/the.BlazinKitchen
