Today we’d like to introduce you to Aaron Thomas Booker.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Food has always been a comfort zone. With a little Louisiana background from my mother’s and father’s side of the family, cooking just came second nature for me. From working with my aunt in the kitchen for after Sunday service, to just down home cooking with grandma and mom. I took all the techniques and lessons from them and threw in my own kick! After graduating from Andy Dekaney High School, I started in college in the fall of 2012 at Sam Houston State University.
As I began to settle in, I found myself cooking for a lot of gatherings and even setting up at a few Bearcat tailgates. Friends and family would always say I would be great at running my own food business and thus started the journey! I began cooking and delivering food around town, to the dorms and to the students who couldn’t travel or if it was too late at night and nothing was open. I then came back to Houston and moved into my first house where I was working as a chef for LBJ hospital. I would set up a daily menu, take preorders and deliver all around the Houston area to family, friends, and even small businesses. I got the opportunity to show off one of my many talents by performing as a personal chef/decorator for a Houston Police officer by setting up an anniversary dinner for he and his wife.
The past few years have been great. Since then, I’ve obtained new relationships with different breweries in Houston, Conroe, and Montgomery just to make myself more known after the pandemic. I’m now building a food truck from the ground up. I know that the future is bright for me and I welcome all challenges and blessings to come.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Owning and starting a small business is never a smooth road. After losing my job, I went all in. It was definitely scary not knowing the future or how the next bills were going to be paid. The pandemic almost shut me down, but with the support of family, friends, and loyal customers, I was able to keep business afloat and deliver meals throughout the week. I’ve lost material things and loved ones along the way and that put a ton of weight on my shoulders. I thought that I wasn’t good enough and that I would have to get another job and give up on my dreams, but I kept the faith and God opened doors for me that I didn’t think were possible for a young Black man. There are always going to be roadblocks or doubts, but it’s not about what you’re going through. It’s how you get through it and that builds a stronger you! I know that I have a strong support team behind me that pushes me to be more and for that I’m grateful.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I am a chef, commercial, personal and social. I cook all kinds of cuisines from Cajun and Soul Food, to Mexican and Chinese. I specialize with my famous sweet and spicy ribs and Chance green sauce. What sets me apart from others is the love and creativity I put into each of my dishes. No one meal looks the same as the last, but it all looks good. My food makes you feel good after a bad day and your taste buds will beg you for more. I view my food as a canvas and how I make it look on the plate expresses my artistic ability. Because after all, “People eat with their eyes first”! I offer catering services, private events and personal chef services. I also engage in pop-ups and set-ups at different establishments. No job is too big or too small for Slim Chance Bistro where “There’s a Slim Chance You’ll Be Disappointed”.
What matters most to you?
The smile my customers give me after trying my food is the best feeling in the world. Alongside that, my family and food are definitely at the center of my life. When a family can get together over good food and where the environment is just perfect and full of love, I know everything is okay and my grandmother is smiling down on me and watching me climb my stairway to success.
Pricing:
- Chance Sauce $10
- Signature slab of Ribs $25
Contact Info:
- Email: slimchancecreations@yahoo.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/slim_chance_bistro/
