Today we’d like to introduce you to Linnyette Richardson-Hall.
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 journey to the “food life” started on another road – as a professional wedding planner. Over the course of 22 years as the owner and Principal Consultant for Baltimore-based Premier Event Management, I guided hundreds of brides & grooms towards their very special day. Along the way, I became deeply ingrained with the creation of incredible wedding celebration menus for these occasions. This part of the equation was easy as I’d been cooking since I was 4 years old. I honed my expertise by working with my maternal grandmother, who was the head of Food Services at the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond as well as a legion of other time-tested home cooks and culinarians.
When I retired from the business of planning weddings back in 2014, it was easy to slide into the world of food. Social media played a big part in getting my unique cooking philosophy to the masses, so I’ve leveraged it to my advantage. Now, I provide specialized dining events for private clients as well as a line of carefully curated, small-batch, hand-blended gourmets butters, spice rubs, sauces, and dessert jars for an appreciative audience nationwide.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
This journey has been interesting to say the least. While I am not a classically trained, my years of working with amazing home cooks as well as professional exposure to a wide array of chefs has truly benefited my experiences.
The struggles as such can be creative ones, as this market is highly populated with chefs and amateur cooks all over the internet and in media. My consistent theme has been finding that “sweet spot” which really resonates with the demographic who will appreciate my culinary offerings the most.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
As a “culinary lifestyle enthusiast” (yes, I made that up – but it fits me to a TEE!!), my mission is to:
1) Show people that cooking isn’t hard and they CAN create amazing meals for their families and friends
2) Create recipes that are not only delicious but cost-efficient and soul-soothing
3) Use my food philosophy of bringing folks “back to the table” in order to reignite the art of conversation around a great meal
4) Infuse the food category known as “soul food” into the daily lexicon for a lot of people but with updated taste and flavors
5) Develop and produce a stellar line of curated condiments for distribution to the general public
My specialty? Food that nurtures the soul.
What am I known for? My almost famous Delmarva Crab Pie. A buttery garlic herb crust, filled to the brim with jumbo lump crabmeat, heavy cream, shallots, peppers, Gruyere & Extra Sharp Cheddar cheeses then dusted with fresh chives & parsley. Baked until bubbly and golden, a slice of this seafood deliciousness pairs well with a lovely salad and a glass of chilled Riesling.
Also – I’ve sold hundreds of slices of that pie as well as whole ones to hungry tummies across the United States. It’s my signature dish and people literally CRAVE it.
I’m most proud of the fact that my life’s mantra is actually a REAL THING which is manifesting itself in REAL TIME:
“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams… Live the life you have imagined. (Henry David Thoreau)
What sets me apart from the legion of others who occupy the same food space as I do?
I stick with being original. I don’t care about what everyone else is doing. I tie on my apron and I create from my heard. Letting the Ancestors guide me along the way.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I divide my time between Baltimore and Dallas, Texas. Folks can follow me on social media (Facebook/Instagram/TikTok) – @thedivaskitchen
For collaborations, paid promotions/sponsorships, product review, interviews – thedivaskitchen@gmail.com
Contact Info:
- Email: thedivaskitchen@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedivaskitchen
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedivaskitchen
Image Credits
Linnyette Richardson-Hall
The Diva’s Kitchen
