Today we’d like to introduce you to De’Andrae Cloud.
Hi De’Andrae, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My Love and Passion for cooking really started when I was younger! I come from a Cooking Family where they can COOK! We’re Country Folk from Magnolia, Texas. So, being in the Kitchen and watching my Mom, my Grandmother, and my Aunt cook, I was always mesmerized that these three amazing women in my life could create something so amazing and so jaw-dropping good all from scratch! No measuring anything, no Recipe, just straight knowledge and experience. It was like I was in Awe. And I always said to myself that as a Man (because seeing Guys Cook to the Caliber that I do is sometimes a shocker to people), I wanted to be able to do the very same thing one day. Create Food & Dishes that would knock people off of their Feet and surpass their expectations and Taste Buds. As I got older, it’s just something that I really started tapping into. Experiencing with different Foods, Creating all kinds of Dishes, and just challenging myself to create Jaw-Dropping items.
It’s a Passion, a Love, and something that I could never steer away from. My Family, Friends and Peers really pushed me to go ahead and start my business. They always told me, “Man, your Talent and Work needs to be recognized by the world. Go ahead and do it!” I honestly was nervous of stepping out and creating my brand. Just the unknown, and it’s overwhelming thinking of starting your own business. But I stepped out on faith and so happy that I did so. And here I am now, today.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Of course not! It’s still not. Any real Successful Business will come with hurdles and struggles. I think one of the main struggles for me is (even now) working a full time job and running a business at the same time. After working 45-55 hours a week, I still have to dedicate time to my business. Whether that’s fulfilling orders for my customers, Food Prepping, Updating my Menu/Prices or coming up with a new Dish to drop. While at the same time, trying to make sure that I’m well-rested, rejuvenated and have a good night’s rest. I’ve learned very fast that when you’re operating a Business of your own, there’s going to be plenty of late Nights and Early Mornings. You’re gonna be tired and drained. It doesn’t come easy at all, but nothing worth having in life does. It all pays off in the end, especially when you’re doing what you truly love.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I offer one-of-a-kind cooking in the Greater Houston area. I do everything from Catering Weddings, Parties, Graduations, Events, etc., to just if anyone just wants food from me. I’m known for my Variety Flavor of Homemade Wings, my Loaded Dirty Mashed Potatoes (with Ribeye Steak, Shrimp, Chicken and Sausage), and my Desserts are just some of the few of the many things that I’m known for.
I think what sets me apart is my Drive, my Love and my Passion for Cooking and Culinary. I truly love and enjoy what I do, and the methods and ways that I cook reflects in my food. I feel like the food should taste as good and even better than it looks in the pictures. I’m proud to have started this from the ground up! I learned how to cook from my Mom, Grandma and Aunt. Then, I just put my twist to it and took the teachings that I learned growing up and made it my very own. I humbly believe that my Food and how I cook isn’t just something that you can walk into any Restaurant and get. It’s truly One of a Kind, and the Food speaks for itself. You can taste the Love in it. And I feel like Cooking that’s done with Love is some of the best food you’ll ever have.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
You can follow me on my Social Media Accounts. There, you can message me, see all of my work, view my menu, along with my contact information.
Contact Info:
- Email: dcloud_91@yahoo.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grubbinoncloud9/
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/Grubbin-On-Cloud9-100778722015918/?ref=bookmarks
