Today we’d like to introduce you to Whitney Branigan.
Whitney, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Believe or not, cooking has been a new journey for me. I would always opt to order-in or go to a restaurant over cooking at home. I thank God that my husband was never a big meal guy. He would be fine with more quick meals like wings, sandwiches, etc. I remember one day he asked me to prepare a meal that he had seen on Facebook. It was salmon stuffed with creamed spinach. I was petrified but up to the challenge since he never usually asks for a dish like that. It came out better than I expected and the gratification I felt afterward had me hooked! At that time, I was a stay-at-home mom, so I had the time to learn and practice in the kitchen. I started posting the meals that I cooked, and I created Instagram stories around my cooking process. People loved it and they would DM me all the time saying that I should get a website or have a cooking show. So, with the encouragement and support of my husband, I decided to launch my YouTube channel in February of this year.
Has it been a smooth road?
I would describe it as a smooth, winding road, with big speed bumps along the way. I can imagine that’s the case for most people who are just starting out. You have good days that’ll have you thinking you’re going to be the next big thing and you have those bad days that will make you want to quit. The biggest struggle for me was finding “my tribe” or community of people who would support and engage in the content that I put out. I’m truly passionate about what I do, and I created Humbly Dope Cooking to help others with their cooking struggles. But at the end of the day, I would also like to see growth. When I launched my YouTube channel and dedicated my social media accounts to Humbly Dope Cooking, I had a goal in mind and honestly, you need the 100% support of others to help get you there.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
My YouTube channel, Humbly Dope Cooking is an extension of my love for cooking. I’m not a chef but I’m a dope home cook and I create dishes for my family without the complication of 20 ingredients. I shop the grocery store aisles for products, and I use them as a foundation for my dishes. You don’t have to create a new dish; you can just put a new flavor on an old one. Humbly Dope Cooking is here to help you save time in the kitchen so you can spend it at the dinner table with your loved ones.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I feel like Humbly Dope Cooking can be anywhere honestly. Everyone loves to eat dinner in America! But seriously, I would recommend starting out in Houston especially if you’re not ready for LA or New York. Houston is the 4th largest city in America and its filled with opportunity especially if you’re in the culinary industry. We’re known for our food scene from the James Beard Award-winning chefs to the mom-and-pop spots. Houston is a melting pot when it comes to flavors, cuisines, and culture.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.youtube.com/c/HumblyDopeCooking
- Email: iamhumblydope@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/humblydopecooking/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/humblydopecooking/
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/humblydopecooking/pins/
Image Credit:
Wayne Branigan Photography – all images
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