The Kitchen Palace in Aiken offers Caribbean, soul food

Casey Williams, Aiken Standard, S.C.
·2 min read

Aug. 14—Robin Michelle Key is a woman who faces both trouble and prosperity with clear vision and a smile. She has to be. She opened a restaurant during the pandemic, after all.

The former Philadelphia native has been running The Kitchen Palace at 1084 Reynolds Pond Road with her husband James Barnett since April 11, 2020.

The restaurant remained open during the lockdown using online ordering and delivery driver apps such as DoorDash, UberEats, GrubHub and PostMates.

The restaurant managed to survive and thrive through 2020. But opening a restaurant and keeping it open during a pandemic is far from Key's first success or trial.

Key has been cooking for over 30 years. Her mother was from South Carolina and her father was from Florida, so she learned how to cook both soul food and Caribbean food.

Key was raised on that soul food, and it's brought her much of the success she has now.

Key worked for many restaurants in the area. She worked for Ray's Barbecue, Calvin's Roasted Fish and Salads, Michelle's Soul Food, K's Buffalo Wings and several others.

Eventually, Key decided to open her own restaurant, and despite the chaos unfolding at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, on April 11, 2020, the Kitchen Palace opened its doors.

At the same time, Key went to cooking school, Helms College in Augusta, graduating in 2020 during the pandemic.

"The pandemic didn't scare me due to me being a woman of God who doesn't fear the unknown, only fears God because he holds my life in his hand, not the world," said Key.

The Kitchen Palace Restaurant Grill and Lounge offers soul food, fast food and Caribbean, including 50 flavor wings. It is open from noon to 10 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and on Sundays from noon to 8 p.m.

People can order online or through most food delivery apps. They offer catering for any events no matter how big or how small. Key gets business in person and online.

That does not mean there has not been trouble. Inflation has made the prices go up. Key has had to change the prices on her wings. Although she has tried to keep other inexpensive options available like her $10 food bar, she still believes she has the best prices around and, as before, is not worried.

When asked about what has kept her going in all this turmoil, Key said, "My spirituality, God, being able to fulfill my passion. I love cooking. I love being able to see people happy when they get a good meal from us."

For more information, visit thekitchenpalacecatering.com.