Today we’d like to introduce you to Chef Dolores Allen.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Chef Dolores. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I started my culinary passion right in my mother, Lu Ann Allen’s (RIP) kitchen. I was the big sister who loved to explore the items my mom rarely used and cooked for my then two sisters and one brother. I now have three sisters and three brothers. I took cooking classes in middle school and learned recipes like Monkey Bread at the age of 12. At a young age, I would make dishes for family gatherings and tried to perfect them later.
After high school, I attended college for business management at Robert Morris University. I knew I wanted to own a business one day and knew college was important in accomplishing this goal. I was the first in my family to attend college. While in college, I worked full-time at Burger King. There I learned how to manage, cook, and serve customers. I did the same while working at McDonald’s at the age of 15. I graduated in 1995 and started a family with my baby girl, Normesha. I have a passion for cooking, but at that time knew that a career change was needed to take care of my child. I then began my career in the Energy industry. I gained great experience and knowledge. I later decided after my daughter turns five years of age, I would explore the culinary school. I was inspired to learn more skills in the kitchen to work towards the dream of owning a catering business. It took some time for me to begin this journey with the addition of two more little twins (Nahshon & Nahshona). I didn’t give up my dream, but continued to work in the energy field and raising my children.
In 2006, I started on my path to become a Certified Chef at the Illinois Institute of Art – Chicago. I worked hard at my full-time job, raising three children as a single mother, and attended school at night. I succeeded and graduated in June 2009 and became Chef D Allen. I was very excited about moving forward with my dream. It was very satisfying to be a role model for my children and family.
After graduating, I decided to build my business and move to another state. In August 2009, I moved my family to Tomball, Texas. I continued working in the Energy industry while working towards fulfilling my dream. My journey was a tough one, but with my mentor’s, John Cook and Reggie Jones, a host of family & friends supporting me, I stayed persistent.
In February 2015, I registered my business, D’s Family Kitchen. During this time, I reached out to many homeless shelters to become a sponsor and found one, The Life Center Houston. My goal is always provide food and assistance, when possible. I later partnered with other small businesses to bring full services to the business. In 2016, I started my new service, Build a Pizza. Build a pizza is food art where everyone is the Chef of the Day. As of 01/20/2020, it became a registered Trademark. My goal is to introduce this unique service of novelty pizzas and cookies to Houston. I have a goal to open the 1st location in 2020/2021 and franchise the business in 5 years. Today, I continue to manage my family & friends, work a full-time job, operate my catering business, and give a helping hand by volunteering.
Has it been a smooth road?
Managing everything has been a challenge. My # one goal is always to take care of my family. I had to make tough financial decisions while trying to grow my business. I’ve struggled with balancing time and barely getting any sleep. My children are at independent ages now, but still need my guidance. Today, I struggle with trying to grow my business with financial challenges. I’ve tried to raise money on my own with two different crowdfunding campaigns with no success. There are so many resources in Houston, but when I try to contact SBA or Score resources, I am pushed into a circle. I am continuing to research, work towards my goals, and bring great services to Houston.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
D’s Family Kitchen is a full service catering company with personalized services. Our mission is to provide delicious food with great services that has that home cooked feel. We bring the services to our customers and manage food preparation at our Commercial Kitchen. We’re known for me, Chef D and the great services with delicious food. I’m mostly proud of food safety as a topped priority and being in business for five years! We’re dedicated to excellent customer service and offering for each event a keepsake menu with the event theme/colors. Our customers enjoy the personal touch! We offer world cuisine, so my menu consists of a variety for all occasions. Our motto is Family~Food~Friends~Love! It’s the foundation of my business!
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I like the diversity of the city and the people. I wish there was more direct support for small businesses with the current resources. In my experience, the requirements are focused on small businesses being prepared like a large corporation, i.e., capital savings, credit, etc.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.DsFamilyKitchen.
com and www.BuildaPizzaFun.com - Phone: 936-666-2917 and 936-666-2492
- Email: dfamillecuisine@yahoo.
com and buildapizza@yahoo.com - Instagram: https://www.
instagram.com/dsfamilykitchen/ and https://www.instagram. com/buildapizzafun/ - Facebook: https://www.
facebook.com/DsFamilyKitchen and https://www.facebook.com/ buildapizza/ - Twitter: https://twitter.com/
DsFamilyKitchen and https:// twitter.com/build_pizza - Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/
biz/ds-family-kitchen-houston? osq=d%27s+family+kitchen - Other: https://www.linkedin.
com/in/chef-d-allen-7176a36b/
Image Credit:
ETC Studios – Tawana Cox
Vanity Visual Photography – Jaslyn Kwayu
Picture This Houston – Kendra Singleton
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