Today, we’d like to introduce you to Olamiposi Lawal.
Hi Olamiposi, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
It all started in 2019 when I decided to turn my hobby into a passion. I was enrolled at Stratford University, majoring in Advanced Culinary Arts. Halfway through my time in college, I was convicted of a felony for my past mistakes, which caused me to drop out. I was in and out of college for a year between 2018 and 2019, while on house arrest with restrictions, I decided to monetize my hobby for catering to others such as; meal prepping, private dinners/events also selling lunch and dinner from my residence, while working for other hospitality companies.
In 2020, I graduated from Culinary School. At that point, I knew I was going to work for myself. Before graduation, I did my internship at Homemade Brunch, where I got to operate the kitchen and also work hand-in-hand with the owner. We have similar morals and standards, which are inspiring for me, and that proved one thing to me, which is that if Derrick Faulcon can do it, I, Olamiposi Lawal, can do it. My time at Home Maid Brunch came to an end summer of 2020. Fom that point I was done working for other companies and decided it was time I start watering my own plants.
In September 2020, I decided to partner with another business, Suya Spot, in the hopes of adding that experience to my resume, but that adventure ended quickly due to our visions not aligning. October 2020 I took a trip to the south with a mission to explore the culinary industry in Atlanta, while I was there I shared my vision with a few friends and family they all supported the vision. Two of my friends blessed me with a little over three thousand dollars after sharing with them my vision. Upon arriving back in Baltimore, I had an idea to showcase my years of experience by hosting a Christmas Dinner, which I shared with my family, and they were there to support my vision.
The dinner had over a hundred guests in attendance; I also used this opportunity to share my vision with all the guests that attended my dinner and got very motivating feedback. The Christmas dinner was a successful event with the amazing team that assisted in curating the whole experience. Going into the new year 2021 my goal was to put my brand Lawal Food Services on the map, with the grace of God and support from my family I was able to launch a ghost kitchen Posi’s Kitchen which is a fast casual concept with a mission to change the narrative of West African dinning experience.
The ghost Kitchen concept was a success, at the end of 2021 we decided to open up the first brick and mortar location in downtown Baltimore. Now Posi’s Kitchen is located in the heart of Mount Vernon where we welcome guests from different walks of life into our own space where we get to make our own Afro-Infused rules.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road to greatness is never smooth, and I have faced some challenges over the past few years.
While in Culinary School, I caught a felony charge that placed severe restrictions on my academics and career, besides being a young black man in our country. My past mistakes caused me to go away for one year and have to go through a five years probation that has put a lot of weight on business due to out-of-country restrictions.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about Lawal Food Services (DBA Posi’s Kitchen)?
Posi’s Kitchen is a specialty restaurant agglomerate designed by Olamiposi Lawal and Brother Dolapo Lawal to set new standards for traditional Afro-cooking practices with fashion, introducing scratch techniques and cooking-to-order methods.
Their systems are scarce in the industry where quantity outshines quality. With diligently sourcing products, product awareness, and attention to detail, we are allowed to collect some of the finest local products and ingredients to offer you unmatched innovativeness.
Our goal is to elevate the culinary/hospitality experience of humanity and that starts with one life and a meal at a time.
Where are located: 1010 St Paul Street Baltimore, MD 21202.
Our operating hours on Sunday & Monday are Closed. Tues – Sat 11 am – 10 pm. Contact information: (410) 244-0009 • Info@posiskitchenandcatering.com
We cater, check our menu out and give us a call or send us an email to inquire about catering/events prices.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
Growing up as a child, all my memories are filled with family and home-cooked meals. I grew up practically with my mum, who had a grocery store at Orita Challenge, a small neighborhood in the city I was born and raised in, Ibadan, Oyo State.
My grandmother had a Buka spot (Traditional Restaurant) less than a mile from my mother’s grocery store. I go to my grandmother’s store every day after school to eat and play soccer with friends and family until sunset. On days I do not have school, I go there all day. That was my favorite childhood memory.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.posiskitchenandcatering.com/menu
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/posiskitchen/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lposi1/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/i/flow/login?redirect_after_login=%2Fkitchenposi
