Today we’d like to introduce you to Sparkle Scott-Carter…
Sparkle, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
At the age of seven, I lost my mom and then at the age of 24, I lost my father… both to cancer. With the two people gone, that I looked up to and could depend on most, my life became a total wreck… but God said, “I’m not done with you yet”, and He soon blessed me with two amazing daughters. Looking into their eyes each day gave me a sense of hope and pushed me to find my true purpose! I’ve always had a love for cooking and entertaining so when I claimed my first job as a server in a restaurant, everything about it felt so natural. It wasn’t long before I was promoted to manager, but deep down I still wanted more for me and my family. On a whim, I decided to enroll in business classes, at a local community college, to sharpen the management skills I already had. What I didn’t realize at the time is that those classes ignited the flame in me, to seek entrepreneurship. After many years in the industry and a conversation with my wife, a former executive chef in a major food service market, we took a leap of faith to birth Southern Gourmet Kitchen Food Truck and Catering. Stepping out on our own allowed us both the opportunity to continue servicing our community with scratch made food we love to create… even more so, it allowed us to serve it from the heart and soul of something we built together.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Nooooo! We have encountered numerous hurdles along the way, but I’m a firm believer that every experience comes with a lesson to be learned. For starters, finding our niche in the City was very hard… it’s something that wasn’t taught in my textbooks. We managed to “learn” our customers and fueled off what we saw truly worked as well as where our areas of improvement lied. Most importantly, in the beginning, it was difficult to shrug off the matters that were beyond our control, like showing up to an event with hundreds of patrons that get chased away when the rain clouds roll in and start pouring for two hours straight. That was a time to learn that I am in control of what type of mood I will allow myself to fall into. Instead of being frustrated because the rain ruined a day of great revenue, I encourage myself to focus on the new beauty rain will bring to the world. I believe that positive energy shines through and it’s what keeps producing those menu favorites our customers love.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Southern Gourmet Kitchen – what should we know?
Our goal was to create made-from-scratch comfort food that was delicious enough to touch the souls of our customers… food that made you feel like it was prepared in your grandma’s kitchen. Southern Gourmet Kitchen prides itself on our uncompromised recipes and genuine service that keeps our customers coming back, like family coming “home”. We can be found at various locations throughout the community, serving favorites like chicken & waffles, southern fried catfish, brisket grilled cheese sandwiches, and so much more. With delectable fresh flavors and customizable catering services, Southern Gourmet Kitchen makes for an obvious choice for your next meal or your next special occasion. Coming soon, Southern Gourmet Kitchen, will open its first official dine-in restaurant & bar in Lake Dallas.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
First and foremost credit is given to God, for bringing me through a period of my own self destruction and opening my eyes to the path He had in store for me. My wife, who is the ying to my yang; her support and encouragement from the very beginning is what made Southern Gourmet Kitchen possible. My daughters, who are my very heartbeat; I thank you for your patience and diligence through the long days we sometimes have and for always being willing to serve as a guinea pig for new recipe creations. Last, but not least, a huge shout out to all of the family, friends & loyal fans of Southern Gourmet Kitchen; because of your love and commitment to our brand, we plan to be around for a lifetime!
Contact Info:
- Address: 507 S Lake Dallas Drive, Lake Dallas, TX 75065
- Instagram: Southern_Gourmet_Kitchen
- Facebook: Southern Gourmet Kitchen
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