Today we’d like to introduce you to Kadean and Laures Dockery.
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?
Right when the pandemic hit, life was immediately shaken up. Graduation for my MBA degree was weeks away, my husband’s place of employment that never closes told everyone to go home until further notice, and my son never returned to pre-school. The three of us were home together for the first time ever. Although this complete halt felt strange, weeks turned to months, and the world collectively taking a pause took on a new meaning. Things we felt we always had to do, we simply couldn’t due to mandates to stay home. With time on our hands and ideas we’ve been meaning to pursue, action started to take place.
I have a hospitality and business background as well as a huge desire to work for myself. I signed up for a food photography course because I felt like my husband makes some of the best food I’ve ever had and when I watch him in the kitchen, I noticed how effortless it was for him. Between his upbringing and experience at Walt Disney, I was convinced he had a gift, and I needed other people to know and experience it for themselves. This was the perfect way to blend our skills and desire to be entrepreneurs. But in order to get us going, before word of mouth could do its job, we needed potential clients to see what their private chef and catering experiences would look like with us. Because I just knew once they tried it, they’d love it, and the rest would take care of itself.
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?
Conversations to start Our Noire Kitchen started years ago. We didn’t know the name or how we would get started, but we did discuss the idea of operating our own business. We dreamt of a food truck with amazing flavors and fusions, a flexible schedule, and limitless possibilities because there was no one else dictating how we spent our days or our earning potential. We wouldn’t have to perform to standards we didn’t enjoy or agree with. We could create a balance, routine and overall reality that we thoroughly enjoyed more times than not. This road has taught us that although there are parts, we like more than others, the joy we get from living every single day in our purpose makes it 1000% worth it. We just celebrated our second anniversary and the reason we’re so successful is that we chose faith over fear. We don’t try to control every bit of our business and success. We merely do what we can to the best of our ability and allow God to take care of the rest.
As you know, we’re big fans of Our Noire Kitchen. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about the brand?
We are a private chef, catering, and pop-up kitchen that also offers food photography services. You can book us for intimate date nights, dinner parties, cookouts, corporate events, or weddings. We tailor each experience based on how casual or elevated our clients envision. Pop-ups are something that has really taken off this year. Through attending farmer’s markets and community events we networked and met really amazing small business owners who lack food at their establishments. These are event spaces, breweries, bars, and coffee shops where we set up our tent and massive pit-smoker to offer whatever delicious menu fits. This could be brunch options like our jerk colossal shrimp and gouda grits or chicken and bacon cheddar waffles. Dinner options would likely include BBQ, Caribbean jerk, or something different like our oxtail grilled cheese. We’ve created some other really fun items like a 5 Leia breakfast sammie (themed for a Star Wars event) or caramel sriracha wings. We are known for our flavor and creativity. The beauty in how we do things is you’ll always find at least 1-2 different menu items so even if you’ve had our food numerous times, there will always be something new for you to try. Brand-wise, we’ve worked so hard to create a well-rounded experience from the service (as a consumer or fellow business owner working together) to how your food is presented and last, the consistent flavor in our recipes. You can find us anywhere between Orlando and Tampa Bay; just check our website for our full schedule for the month. You never know when we could be in a city near you!
How do you define success?
Being able to wake up every single day genuinely loving the life we’re living and creating.
Contact Info:
- Website: Ournoirekitchen.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/ournoirekitchen
- Facebook: facebook.com/ournoirekitchen/
- Other: https://linktr.ee/OurNoireKitchen
Image Credits
KDM Creative Studio
Our Noire Kitchen
