Today we’d like to introduce you to Kamal Howard.
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?
In 2020, while finishing college, I was looking for a way to make some extra money. A few friends I had cooked for while in school suggested that I start selling plates of food on the weekends. With no intention of becoming a chef or turning cooking into a career, I began preparing meals from my home and offering them for pickup.
What started as a way to make extra cash quickly became something much bigger. Customers began raving about the food, and about a year into selling plates, I started receiving requests to cater parties and events. I had no formal experience in catering, but I was willing to learn, take on the challenge, and figure things out along the way.
Through plenty of obstacles, lessons, and trial and error, I developed my own approach to catering. My clients continued to be pleased with the food and the overall experience, and I discovered something unexpected: I genuinely enjoyed creating memorable experiences through food.
I became especially passionate about presentation. I began creating beautiful food displays and incorporating decor, props, and details that complemented the theme of each event. While presentation became an important part of my work, I never allowed it to come at the expense of flavor or quality. For me, it has always been about the complete package food that tastes incredible, looks beautiful, and creates an experience people remember.
From there, I expanded into private dining experiences and began building relationships with a diverse range of clients, including celebrities, professional athletes, community leaders, and families. I was given opportunities to cook for and alongside many incredible people, and the positive response to my work continued to open new doors.
As my name began to spread through word of mouth, my calendar filled with all types of events. I have had the privilege of being part of birthdays, celebrations, intimate dinners, special occasions, and unforgettable moments for my clients. I approach every event knowing that it is more than just a meal, it is an opportunity to create an experience that my clients and their guests will remember. I put great care into every detail to make sure the final result exceeds expectations.
In 2024, I hosted my first public event, Food Fight, and it was a tremendous success. Food Fight is a culinary and bartending competition that brings together talented chefs and bartenders to create signature dishes and cocktails. Guests have the opportunity to sample each creation and vote for their favorites.
The event creates an energetic and welcoming environment where people can socialize, enjoy food and drinks, listen to a live DJ, and simply have a great time. At the end of the competition, the winners in each category receive cash prizes. The response to the first Food Fight was incredible, and we are excited to bring the experience back.
The following year, I introduced another event called Let Me Cook For You. This event is especially meaningful to me because it allows people in the community to experience my food in a setting where they may not otherwise have the opportunity to book me for a private dinner.
Let Me Cook For You features an elevated spread of appetizers, a main course, and dessert, while also highlighting talented local artists. Throughout the event, guests have experienced performances from singers, poets, saxophonists, and other artists. Combining great food, live entertainment, and an elevated atmosphere allows me to create the same sense of luxury and hospitality that I bring to my private dining experiences, while making it accessible to a broader audience.
Today, my focus remains on creating exceptional private dining experiences, producing memorable hosted events, and providing opportunities for local artists to showcase their talents. I also travel as needed to cook for clients, having had the opportunity to work in several states and internationally.
What began in 2020 as a way to make a little extra money has grown into a culinary journey built on food, creativity, hospitality, and community. I never set out with the intention of becoming a chef, but I discovered that cooking could be much more than preparing a meal. It could bring people together, celebrate important moments, create opportunities, and leave a lasting impression.
That is what continues to drive me today: creating experiences through food that people won’t forget.
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?
Overall, the journey has been fun, but it certainly has not been easy. I don’t believe any successful story comes with a completely smooth road. There have been many moments when I have second guessed myself and wondered if this was truly what I should be doing. There have been seasons of uncertainty, slow periods, and times when I had to remind myself why I started in the first place.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that I cannot do everything by myself. There have been many times when taking on too much and trying to handle every aspect of the business on my own pushed me to recognize the importance of trusting others and asking for help.
Being a full time business owner also comes with financial challenges. There are times when the money isn’t coming in the way you’d like it to, when you’re waiting for the next booking, or when certain times of the year are simply slower than others. Over time, I’ve learned how to navigate those seasons, stay prepared, and make the most of the busier times of the year.
I think many business owners can relate to how difficult it can be to bring other people into your business. As entrepreneurs, we can be control freaks. We have a specific vision, and we want things done exactly the way we envision them. Learning how to teach someone else your process, communicate your expectations, and trust them to execute your vision is a challenge in itself.
That has been one of my biggest areas of growth. I’ve learned that building a strong team doesn’t mean giving up control of your vision. It means teaching others to understand that vision and giving them the tools and trust to help bring it to life.
I’m now at a point where I have a team I can truly depend on, people who understand my vision, believe in what we’re building, and help me execute it in a way that represents all of us. That has been one of the most rewarding parts of this journey.
Looking back, I realize that the obstacles were just as important as the successes. The moments of doubt taught me resilience. The difficult seasons taught me patience and preparation. Trying to do everything myself taught me the value of teamwork. And every challenge has helped me become not only a better chef and business owner, but a better leader.
The journey is still unfolding, and I know there will be more challenges ahead. But now, I have the experience, the team, and the confidence to keep moving forward.
As you know, we’re big fans of Kamal’s Kuisine. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I am Chef Kamal, owner of Kamal’s Kuisine, a catering, private dining, and culinary event business focused on creating elevated food experiences. I cater a wide range of events, from celebrations and intimate dinners to corporate events and everything in between. If it involves food, I’m probably your guy!
I’m best known for my private dining experiences, where I create elevated, intimate meals with delicious food as the main focus. I also offer plated dinners, family-style meals, and upscale buffet displays, often incorporating decor and details that complement the theme of the event. I believe we eat with our eyes first, so presentation is extremely important to me. I want people to see the food and immediately think, “That looks amazing,” and then taste it and be even more impressed.
My culinary style is versatile. I enjoy cooking everything from upscale dishes to creative finger foods, but my roots are deeply connected to Cajun and Southern cuisine. Those flavors and influences are a part of who I am and continue to inspire the food I create.
What sets Kamal’s Kuisine apart is that I believe you should get the complete experience in one place. My focus is on three things: high quality, flavorful food; elevated presentation; and exceptional service. I don’t believe you should have to sacrifice one for another. When you book with me, my goal is for you to see the food and be impressed, taste the food and be blown away, and experience service that leaves you feeling genuinely taken care of.
I’ve had some incredible opportunities through this business, from cooking for celebrities and professional athletes to traveling to different states and internationally to cook for clients. But what I’m most proud of isn’t necessarily the people I’ve cooked for or the places I’ve traveled. It’s the opportunities I’ve been able to create for other people.
I love giving talented individuals a platform to showcase what they do. Whether it’s a musician performing at one of my events, someone helping bring the event together behind the scenes, a bartender curating cocktails, or a DJ providing the soundtrack, I enjoy seeing my people thrive in an environment that welcomes their God-given gifts. I believe that if I win, I should be able to help the people around me win too. Putting people in a position to succeed is one of the things that keeps me going.
At Kamal’s Kuisine, we offer more than food, we offer an experience. I want you to leave having enjoyed an incredible meal, but also having dressed up, enjoyed a night out with your spouse or friends, laughed, connected with people, and created a memory you’ll be talking about long after the event is over. You might even meet your new best friend, or your new love!
Whether you’re looking for a memorable celebration, an intimate dinner, a unique culinary experience, or an event your guests won’t stop talking about, Kamal’s Kuisine is here to make it happen.
Book me or come experience one of my events and see what the hype is about.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Sometimes it can be difficult to find a mentor you genuinely connect with, someone who truly wants to see you win and is willing to help you along the way. When you do find that person, hold on to them. Pour into them just as much as they pour into you. A mentorship should be a relationship where both people can learn, grow, and benefit from one another.
Having a mentor doesn’t always mean sitting down with someone every week and having formal conversations. Sometimes mentorship is simply being able to watch someone who has already found success in the field you’re trying to enter. Pay attention. Take notes. Ask questions when the opportunity comes. Soak up as much knowledge as possible, but also be willing to support your mentor in their own endeavors.
And when you begin to experience success of your own, don’t forget the person who helped you get there. Show your appreciation. Let your mentor know that you value their guidance, but also remind them that they can come to you. Continue to stay connected, share what you’ve learned, and pour back into the relationship. As you both grow, the relationship should grow with you.
Networking is just as important. As a business owner, networking is a necessity. Opportunities don’t always come directly from what you do, they often come from who you know and who knows you.
Meet as many people as you can. Be confident in yourself and your product, and learn how to present yourself well, even in the most casual settings. I grew up naturally shy and reserved, so learning how to approach people, start conversations, and sell myself didn’t come naturally. It took time, repetition, and putting myself in uncomfortable situations.
If you’re naturally introverted or networking doesn’t come easily to you, give yourself some grace. You don’t have to become the most outgoing person in the room overnight. It takes practice, and eventually, you’ll get the hang of it.
Networking events are a great place to start because everyone is there for the same reason: to meet new people, build relationships, and discover how you can potentially help one another. Sometimes, simply introducing yourself and asking someone what they do can turn into a meaningful and productive conversation.
Don’t overthink it. Just start.
Start the conversation. Introduce yourself. Build the connection. Follow up. You never know when that person may have an opportunity for you, or when you may be the person who has an opportunity for them.
You never know where one conversation can lead.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kamalskuisine.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kamalskuisine/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Kamals-Kuisine/100090773830196/?mibextid=wwXIfr&rdid=6MLJShs1oKDr9Lql&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F1HjVFVBLMB%2F%3Fmibextid%3DwwXIfr
