We had the good fortune of connecting with Kaila Bryant and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kaila, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I grew up cooking with my mom so as an adult, I’ve always enjoyed cooking for my friends, family, and others and everyone always loved it. Eventually, people encouraged me to sell my food because they enjoyed it so much and there aren’t many places here in Colorado Springs that offer true southern comfort food. I honestly just love cooking and I love sharing my gift with others.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m actually a Public Affairs officer in the U.S. Air Force, which is what brought me to Colorado back in 2022, making it my fifth move in my first six years of service. I’ve been active duty for nine years now and plan on making it a career and getting to 20 years. My career has been fun, but challenging at times. I’m so proud to say that I’ve excelled in some pretty difficult assignments, earning a selection for promotion to the rank of Major.
I joined the military a couple of years after graduating from Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, GA, in 2013.

When talking about Kaila B Cookin, I’m most proud of the clientele I’ve been able to serve without having done much marketing or advertising. The majority of my customers come to me from word of mouth, which lets me know that people enjoy my food enough to vouch for me to others. For that, I’m eternally grateful!
Although cooking large meals can be strenuous, I love doing it so much! I’ll spend 12-14 hours a day in the kitchen for orders to make sure my customers receive the best quality food (and best tasting) I can possibly offer. Because I work 40-50 hours during the week, I only cater events or fill large orders over the weekends. Smaller orders, I’m able to fill during the week after work, so there are some nights where I don’t sleep much, but I don’t mind it at all.

I’m learning that preparation is the best method to get things done efficiently. Over Thanksgiving 2024, I served 14 families. Customers ordered southern sides like collard greens, candied yams, cornbread dressing, baked macaroni and cheese, and also ordered several desserts-pies, cakes, banana pudding, and peach cobbler. I started prep for Thanksgiving on Monday and by 10 a.m. Thanksgiving morning, everything was completed, the kitchen was cleaned and I was able to rest. I am extremely proud of the work I did that week. It was such a smooth process.

I want everyone to hear “Kaila B Cookin” and know that the food is cooked with clean hands, a loving heart, and with customer satisfaction in mind. Kaila B Cookin is Where Love Meets Flavor!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If I’m hosting my best friend here in the Springs, and let’s just say the weather is perfect all week — mid 60s-70s, we’d have to visit the Garden of the Gods for a picnic and an easy walk, the Cog Train to ride up to the top of Pikes Peak, Seven Falls, and maybe the Royal Gorge train ride.

For restaurants, on days that I’m not cooking: Saltgrass is one of my favorite restaurants here, so we’d definitely go there for dinner. I’d also have to take her to Dos Dos in downtown Colorado Springs for that amazing “Dos Crunch” and margaritas. Rabbit Hole is another great option for dinner. Breakfast spots would be Burnt Toast, Mimi’s Cafe, Urban Egg and First Watch.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My cooking skills are truly a gift from God. He’s blessed my hands to be able to bless others. My mother deserves all the credit for igniting my love for cooking and for teaching me everything I know! She put me in the kitchen to help her with meals when I was around 10 or 11. Shout out to Momma Audrey for Kaila B Cookin!

Website: Coming soon! Will be linked on the Linktree once it’s ready

Instagram: @kailabcookin

Facebook: Kaila B Cookin

Other: https://linktr.ee/kailabcookin

Image Credits
Unconditional Photography

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