Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenny Lawrence.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My name is Jenny Lawrence, and I am the owner and plant-based chef of Gingerbeet, a vegan catering company located in Washington, D.C. We provide meal prep, catering, and personal chef services. The menu items are also gluten-free, soy-free, and organic. Our mission is to provide an experience that include flavorful and health-conscious meals.
I’m originally from Louisiana, and from the time I can remember, I’ve always had a passion for cooking. From assisting my mother to being old enough to prepare meals on my own. I was always experimenting with recipes and creating my own dishes.
My grandmother owned a soul food restaurant in Louisiana. She specialized in Cajun and Creole cuisine. My grandmother was a great businesswoman and a phenomenal chef. She made many dishes native to Louisiana, from gumbo, jambalaya, and crawfish étouffée to Cajun red beans and rice. However, these foods were extremely unhealthy.
At a very young age, I noticed that several of my family members suffered from chronic illnesses such as hypertension, heart disease, and diabetes. I had a conversation with my father about it, and he said, “these diseases run in our family, and you’ll more than likely be affected.” This statement just didn’t sit well with me. I was determined to find a way to significantly lower or eliminate my risk. After further research, I realized that these diseases were food related which encouraged me to change my diet.
I began transitioning to a plant-based diet after realizing I could significantly lower my risk of contracting these chronic, food-related illnesses. Although I was being proactive about my health, there were certain foods that I would miss. This led me to create vegan versions of these dishes. I began sharing these ‘veganized’ meals with my friends and family members. I received tons of positive feedback, which sparked the idea to create my business. I wanted to show people they can still enjoy flavorful foods that are also plant-based and healthy. I then created Gingerbeet to introduce this way of eating to others. Some of the dishes that I’ve created are heavily influenced by my Cajun and Creole roots.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Creating my business has not been a smooth road. There has been trial and error along the way. One of the main challenges has been facilitating every step, on my own, to bring my vision and business into fruition. Most people underestimate how much work goes into creating a business from inception, which is why it’s very important to have a business plan to guide you along the way. In the beginning stages, I didn’t delegate any tasks. I was responsible for everything from obtaining the appropriate licenses for business operations, securing intellectual property, and creating a customer base within my target market.
As you know, we’re big fans of Gingerbeet. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about the brand?
Gingerbeet specializes in plant-based cuisine. We offer catering, meal prep, and personal chef services, in Washington, DC, and the DMV area. Gingerbeet provides meal prep on a weekly basis for delivery or pick up each Sunday. We also offer drop-off, real display, and full-service catering. In addition, we provide personal chef /private chef services, which could also include cooking demos. Gingerbeet is known for providing flavorful and filling plant-based meals that are gluten-free, soy-free, and organic, which appeals to a broader customer base.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
My dad has been my biggest supporter. Whether it’s providing words of encouragement or sharing insight, he has been a huge advocate for me. In the beginning stages of my business, my dad would drive up from Richmond, VA to Washington, DC, every weekend for months to help me with the meal prep division of my business. He also assisted me at festivals in various cities and catering events because he believed in me and wanted me to succeed.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.gingerbeetdc.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gingerbeetdc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gingerbeetdc
