Today we’d like to introduce you to Renee Herndon.
Renee, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I actually started my business through a company called Diet Gourmet or Tru Meals in 2011. At the time, I was working as a flight attendant for United Airlines (formerly Continental). I juggled both jobs for six months and eventually quit being a flight attendant to work my business full time. I never imagined when i quit that the company would go out of business two years later. When the company went out of business, I worked as a Personal Chef while searching for a professional kitchen that I could use. I still believed in what I did and really enjoyed my business. One day, my Husband was looking at an article about food trucks and the concept of starting a food trailer began! My first food trailer, affectionately called “Henrietta”, began serving Plant-based Raw Vegan Cuisine in 2013. I chose meals that I enjoyed making at home and that were easy to put together. My old food trailer was unique, actually one of a kind! It doesn’t even have a stove! I’ve always maintained a 100% raw and vegan, plant-based business. The meals that I feature on the trailer or ones that my family and I enjoy eating. After making meals with Henrietta for five years, my business has grown so much that I was blessed to get a brand new food trailer just a month ago!!! My new trailer is Orange, so I call her ‘The Traveling Carrot’, and she’s beautiful! I still offer many of the same meals that I started my business with, but I’ve added a few more! Running a food trailer can be challenging at times but I truly love what I do and feel blessed to share my passion for making plant-based meals with the world!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It is definitely not been a smooth road! When I got started, my food trailer Henrietta was very old and needed a lot of work. She actually failed inspection the first time, which really took the wind out of my sails because I had just quit my job and put everything I had into this business. But, I refuse to give up! Because of having an old trailer, she was constantly needing repairs, which took lot of money. I have a friend who helped me with many of the repairs but I really did need a new trailer! Now that I have one, I really do appreciate my humble beginnings!
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I am a food trailer that’s completely dedicated to plant-based meals. Beyond that, my meals are completely raw (uncooked) and vegan. The most popular meal at the food trailer is the mushroom fajita salad which is amazing! My nacho’s are also popular because I make the chips myself (they are dehydrated). People are surprised by my mock tuna because it’s made with sunflower seeds! The secret to the mock tuna is the Thai coconut water! I even make banana nice cream right there on the spot using frozen bananas!!! My pizzas, which has a dehydrated crest made with veggies and is incredibly tasty!!!
I am most proud of being able to stay in business for 5 years and continue to grow! I’m so glad that I never gave up! When times were hard, all I needed to do was eat my food and I remembered why I do what I do!
When I first started going out on the road with Henrietta, I worked the food parks in downtown Houston. There were big food trucks there, but I never felt like I was competing with them. In my mind, I was just waiting on my very own special unique customers who only ate vegan, or carnivores who were brave enough to try something new! I’ve even made life long friends with other food truck owners!
What sets me apart is the fact that I don’t cook anything. It’s amazing having pizza, enchiladas, fajitas, calzones, donut holes or even tacos without cooking! All of the enzymes are remained in the meals. Everything is healthy, vegan, gluten-free, and delicious!
What also sets me apart, is that I have an online ordering system and a rotating menu! And meals at the full trailer are available every week, but the rotating menu changes every week. That allows for more variety! I also deliver meals (within 30 miles) twice a week, on Tuesdays and Fridays. For delivery, you have to order ahead. But, when I’m at the food trailer you can get meals delivered through Uber Eats.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was always the kind of person that when she sees something she wants to do she does it. When I was little, I remember planting watermelon seeds! They grew to the size of a small ball! I was very proud of that! When I was 17, I actually modeled for a while and I even wrote a book!
I always knew that I didn’t want to work a 9am-5pm job. So, when I became a flight attendant that was right up my alley! I really did enjoy working there, but when I discovered the raw lifestyle I knew that it was very special and I wanted more people know about it. So, when I started making meals in the beginning, I started taking pictures of all the foods that I made (my kids suggestion). I also decided to become certified to teach through Alissa Cohen’s program, so it became came more than just a hobby.
Pricing:
- Fajita Salad $13
- Mock Tuna Nori Wrap $6.50
- Nachos $6.50
- Pizza $10
- Nice Cream $8
- Calzone $13
Contact Info:
- Address: 2714 N. Mason Road
Katy, TX.
(FAMILY Dollar parking lot) - Website: Www.RawVeganChefRenee.com
- Phone: 281-433-5928
- Email: RawChefRenee@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rawchefrenee/
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/RawVeganChefRenee/
- Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/rawchefrenee
- Yelp: Raw Chef Renee https://www.yelp.com/biz/raw-chef-renee-katy?utm_source=ashare&utm_campaign=direct_share&ref=yelp-android
Image Credit:
Ronnie Owens
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
