Today we’d like to introduce you to La Quanda Johnson.
Hi La Quanda, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My love for cooking started when I was a little girl, standing in the kitchen watching my grandmother create magic with simple ingredients. I learned from her and my mom that food isn’t just about feeding people — it’s spreading love.
As a mother of six, I’ve spent my whole life in the kitchen, cooking up memories and meals for the people I love most. With over 30 years of experience in food service in various roles, cooking has always been my way of spreading joy to others.
Earlier this year, after working more than ten years in the school district’s food services departments, I felt God tugging at my heart — calling me to serve others in a new way. That’s when sourdough came into my life. One of my sweet friends gave me a jar of starter, taught me how to feed it, named her “Queenie” and guided me through baking my very first loaf. From that moment, I was hooked.
In April, I took a leap of faith and attended my first vendor market. I was blown away by the support and the wonderful people who shared my love for fresh, homemade bread.
Now, as the proud sourdough cottage baker/owner behind Queenie’s Dough-lites, I’m so grateful to share my loaves by using the gifts God has given me to share with communities all over the metroplex.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
This journey hasn’t been without its struggles. One of the hardest parts was stepping out on faith — leaving behind a steady, salaried position without knowing exactly what was ahead, but trusting that God would provide. I had to learn how to scale recipes for larger batches, perfect my bakes, and accept that no two loaves are ever quite the same. Each challenge has taught me patience, humility, and the beauty of growth.
Through it all, I’ve realized that this is exactly where God wants me to be — using the gift He gave me to serve others through the simple, heartfelt joy of bread.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m the sourdough cottage baker and owner of Queenie’s Dough-lites, where I specialize in creating small-batch, artisan sourdough breads made with love, patience, and creativity. Each loaf is handcrafted from my sourdough starter, Queenie, and baked to bring comfort and joy to others.
I’m known for my bold flavor combinations — like my 3 Cheese Jalapeño Cheddar and Hot Honey Pepperoni Bread — and my ability to turn simple ingredients into something truly special. What sets my work apart is the heart behind it. Every loaf tells a story of faith, family, and community.
After more than 30 years in food service, I took a leap of faith to follow God’s calling and start this journey. I’m most proud of the connections I’ve made through my bread — seeing people smile and share my loaves with their loved ones reminds me that I’m right where I’m meant to be.
What are your plans for the future?
My goal is to continue serving my community by providing fresh, organic sourdough breads made with love and care. I want to keep growing my cottage bakery while staying true to the heart of what started it all — connecting with people through good, wholesome bread.
Looking ahead, I would love to see Queenie’s Dough-lites expand into wholesale partnerships and local restaurants, bringing my artisan loaves to even more tables. Whether it’s at the farmers market, on a store shelf, or part of a restaurant menu, my dream is for more people to experience the warmth and flavor that each loaf carries.
Pricing:
- Fresh Organic sourdough bread prices varies from $12-$18 depending on flavor inclusions.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hotplate.com/queenie
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/queen_iesdoughlites
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574958591686
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@queeniesdoughlites-w9q
