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

Hi Yolanda, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
When I decided to start my very own business my grandmother came to mind. She was the reason why I fell in love with cooking. My grandmother/NaNa was a self taught chef. She could cook and bake so good that if you didn’t like her she’d feed you and after you ate one of her amazing Louisiana inspired soul food dishes you’d end up falling in love with her. I had been in the kitchen with her since I was just 5 years of age. I literally watched her every move in the kitchen. She was the master chef and I was her little bright eyed sous chef. Eventually I mastered every recipe. I was cooking 4 course meals at the age of 10. I had always dreamed of owning my own restaurant or food truck someday. My NaNa started her food business in her 50’s. She tragically passed away at the young age of 57. She never got her business off the ground. Nonetheless she went after her dream and had she lived to see it through I just know she would have made her Juke Joint a huge success. It was my mission after losing her to honor her and keep her business going. My NaNa B’s Juke Joint was born September 2019! I’ve learned so much a long the way. I hope to share her recipes and a few of my own with the world. I know my NaNa has been with me every step of the way. I can feel her pushing me to persue my dreams every time I step in my kitchen. When I think about where my business will be in a few years I get so excited. This business represents my freedom. Freedom to create what ever I want, on my terms, and to love it every step of the way no matter what!

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Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Just before COVID 19 hit April 2019 I finished Culinary School. The food industry was devastated by COVID. At one time I had dreamed of owning a restaurant or food truck yet once I saw what COVID did to the food industry; restaurants closing, no one eating out or ordering out, I knew I had to change direction. I decided to take my Culinary Skills to the internet so I could become a Food Influencer. What better way to share my amazing recipes with the world than to start a YouTube food channel. I felt so inspired and got busy creating my very own cooking show. My NaNa B’s Juke Joint. The idea of cooking what ever I want from the comfort and safety of my kitchen made perfect sense to me. However, I learned really quick that it’s more than getting in front of a camera and cooking. I gained a new respect for those food influencers out there who have successful channels. There is a lot of editing involved and consistency is key. I had to take a step back from filming briefly so that I can better learn and understand how all of this works. I will be back at it very soon. I finally know the direction I’d like to go with this dream of mine. The goal is to give myself two years to build my channel to the point where I can cook for a living and leave the corporate world for good. Best selling cook books, appearances, and amazing cookware is on the horizon. The key is to start just like my NaNa did. She was brave and did not care what anyone had to say. Here I am. In my 50’s and I am not allowing anything or anyone to get in my way. I will begin with one beautiful rough edited insanely delicious video at a time. JUST START!

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If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My bestie is from Colorado yet she now lives in Houston, TX. If she were to visit me we’d get dressed up that first night and we’d treat ourselves to my favorite restaurant Pappadeux’s Seafood Kitchen. I love their Pasta Mardi Gras and they have this drink called the Swamp Thing. I’d have two or three of those for sure. That drink will sneak up on you and tastes so amazing. She’d enjoy their King Crag, Steak and Mashed Potatoes dish and she’d want a nice glass of red wine to compliment the dish. We’d appreciate the ambiance and trust me we’d shut the place down. That night we’d go home slip into our PJ’s make ourselves a night cap, play some Dominos, listen to old school R&B, and dance all night.
The next day I’d cook all of her favorites and we’d enjoy amazing food, drinks and movies right at home. We definitely have fun when she visits. We are both foodies and we both are amazing cooks so we’d opt to cook the majority of the time she’d be here. Her last night in town we’d invite our other girlfriends over and enjoy good company, order some Chinese from my favorite spot, Dragon Boat, drink lots of wine and talk about the men who didn’t make the cut. That last day we’d have breakfast at Sam’s 03, have their famous breakfast burrito that is so large and packed with eggs, potatoes, bacon, sausage and then to add insult to injury they smother it with their famous Green Chili. That burrito is packed with flavor! Our drink of choice would be their famous Mimosa’s. We’d leave there and head to the airport and she’d be on that flight back to Houston full, and sleep lol. We always have the best time!

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The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
When it comes to who has inspired me along the way at the top of the list is my grandmother. My Nana- Bernice was my start to this amazing food journey. She taught me everything I know. I just wanted to spend time with her because she was so beautiful and fun to be around. Slowly but surely I started to fall in love with helping her to create amazing meals for Sunday dinners, and events etc. She loved to entertain and I was right there by her side. She took me everywhere and I’m so thankful that my most fondest memories are with her in the kitchen.
Next on the list is Executive Chef Val Crawford. I met him in 2008 right here in Aurora, CO. He and I eventually joined forces and formed a business. All In One Culinary Services was born in 2012. That 1st year was insane and I learned so much from him. He had a culinary education and I did not. Our chemistry in that kitchen was fire! He’d call me the flavor saver. He taught me the business side of the food industry. I realized through him that it is more to it than just cooking. He was so patient with me. God bless that man. Lol! I certainly felt humbled after that experience that’s for sure. We eventually went our own separate ways yet because of him I decided to attend Culinary School. After 2 years of hard work I graduated from the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts earning my Diploma in Culinary Arts 2019. Thank you Nana and Val. I owe it all to you both!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ymonic?igsh=MWh6MzB3MXo3amhwYg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/executive-chef-yolanda-monic-4166222b?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/ByAyeb6Y9WPFFbDP/?mibextid=LQQJ4d

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@mynanabsjukejoint?si=CGiVbcHNv7uznHGd

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