Chef Keith Johnson Catering and Delivery Service providing elegant experience
HARLEM, Ga. (WJBF) – Chef Keith and Kei Kei Johnson, of Chef Keith Johnson Catering and Delivery, is bringing some top-notch dishes to Harlem, Georgia and the entire CSRA with an upper echelon cuisine served with elegance.
The husband and wife, dynamic duo sits down with WJBF to talk about their unique services and the passion that can be seen… and most importantly tasted in the food that that they prepare and the services that they provide.
Plus, Chef Keith prepares for us Teriyaki Beef Tips, Country Collard Greens with Cornbread, Macaroni and Cheese Bites, and his most popular and most requested dish, the Stewed Shrimp And Grits.
Thank you for being here for Celebrating Black Excellence 365. How did you get started with the culinary arts, Chef Keith?
My grandmother loved to cook, and I have two uncles, Uncle Jo and Uncle Hollywood, were grill masters. So, I went from there to Le Cordon Blue, and that’s what made me want to cook.
What type of services do you offer?
We offer catering and delivery. We offer personal chef services, deliver meal prep, and catering for various events, including weddings and birthday parties. Anything that you need, we can provide.
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So, Keith, you’re the chef. Now, Kei Kei, what services do you provide with Chef Keith Johnson Catering and Delivery?
Well, we always like to say that I’m kind of the back of the house, and he’s front of the house as it relates to taking care of the customers, cooking, and being creative. I handle the business side of things. So, if you want to get your event catered, you would go through me, and I relay the message to him.
How do you balance everything as far as marriage and your business?
Well, it definitely can present its challenges at times. I like to do all of the things behind the scenes so that he can focus on taking care of the customers, and that balance works well for us. If I’m trying to do little things in the kitchen, and I’m getting in his way, oh, he will let me know. (Laughs)
Now, Chef Keith, what exactly is your favorite meal that you like to prepare?
Shrimp and grits, and I like to call it Stewed Shrimp And Grits.
What is the most popular dish that people want from you?
I would have to say my collard greens.
Why is that?
Those are all the recipes that I got from my Grandmama that I’m not going to give anybody. (Laughs)
Kei Kei, what is your favorite thing that your husband prepares?
Oh, I would have to say I’m a foodie, so I love everything. So, I have to say the shrimp and grits. He puts his whole foot in the shrimp and grits.
What makes your catering and delivery service different from the other catering services in the area?
Chef Keith: I think that we provide a wide range of food and things that we can do. Also, through God, we can do anything.
Kei Kei: So I think what really makes our catering business unique is that we don’t have set menus. So, a customer can come to us with an idea for something that they like, and we can make that happen for them. He has even catered a Cuban wedding. He’s done an Indian cooking class. You know, he can pretty much do whatever you want since he is a classically trained chef, and I think that was appealing to a lot of our customers.
So, next question: what’s the most extravagant thing that you ever made or have been asked to make?
Chef Keith: I’ve been asked to make Consommé, which is a French soup, and it’s very hard to make. You have to strain it about 40 times before it clears.
Kei Kei: I would say for The Masters he also did duck and lamb. You know, that’s not something that he makes every day, but when a customer asks for it, he can pull that out of his arsenal.
Now, if people want more information about you or your services, or they want to get in contact with you about how they can get catering or delivery, how can they get that information?
The best way I would say is through our website www.chefkeithjohnson.com. The email address is chefkeithjohnson@gmail.com, and we’re also on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter under Chef Keith Johnson Catering.
Last question, what words of advice could you give someone that wants to get into becoming an entrepreneur?
Chef Keith: I would say it’s hard work. Repetition is key. Do it once, do it twice, and keep doing it. Keep doing it. Keep doing it. It’s not going to happen overnight.
Kei Kei: I agree with what he’s saying. It takes a lot of commitment, hard work, perseverance, and above all other things, faith. So, you have to believe in yourself and the product that you’re putting forward.
For more information on Chef Keith Johnson Catering and Delivery, or to book them for their services, you can go to the website www.chefkeithjohnson.com.
Videography by Gary Nipple
Music Produced by Danny Ray Smith, Jr.
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