Meet Briana Cook of Cook’e Soirée Gourmet Catering

Today we’d like to introduce you to Briana Cook.

Briana, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
It all started during the Christmas season 1998. I was six years old. I’ll never forget an easy bake oven commercial came on. I fell in love, I ran to my mom who was in the kitchen baking cakes and screamed: “Mommy if Santa doesn’t get me anything else, I need an easy bake oven.” She chuckled turned and pointed to the stove and said: “that’s your easy bake oven, I’ve had a love and passion for the culinary industry ever since.”

I can honestly say I’ve made it to where I am today solely from faith & support, see I had to utilize faith to get the support. In 2010, culinary wasn’t as popular as it is now. Going to college fairs looking at the wage of a hospitality career, it ranged from $8.25/hr – $15/hr. I was told to practice medicine instead and I instantly denied the thought. So, when I said I was going to a community college to study culinary, it was frowned upon by both family and friends. However, shortly after my friends and family saw my dedication and determination they could do nothing but support especially since they loved the product. Working in catering & going to school full-time help create the businesswoman I am today. I understood that I needed to learn the inside and out of how to run a successful business. So, I sacrificed most of the college experience.

Learning hands-on and studying at Washburne culinary institute & University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (UIUC – food science human nutrition focus hospitality management) is what got me here today. But remember first, it was faith.

Has it been a smooth road?
Owning a business is probably one of the hardest things I’ve ever done in my life.
I got to a point where I needed help, I FINALLY came to a realization that you can’t run a successful business on your own. It’s IMPOSSIBLE. So, I hired help, sometimes not even paying myself. Overhead was so high that I also had to work a job as well. But I’ll sacrifice anything for my dream.

Becoming selfish was also hard for me everyone wants you to come out and celebrate life and their many accomplishments. Heck, I wanted to come, but to run a successful company, a business must come first. I’ve put my business over holidays and very important engagements. So, the business can grow.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Cook’e Soirée Gourmet Catering story. Tell us more about the business.
We’re a catering company who specializes in gourmet food & dessert all wrapped in the experience of custom catering.

We’re well known for our: brunch, endless station options, and decor. Taking food to another level with an experience your guest will never forget. Imagine delicious food in a display that takes your breath away. This is what sets us apart from so many other catering companies we bring your theme to life with our food.

How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I can see the culinary industry becoming more and more innovative for not only weddings but also corporate events. Changing the outlook everyone has on events. Making the food decor the main focus.

Contact Info:

• Address: 3109 N. Broadway
• Phone: 7733968772
• Instagram: Instagram.com/cookesoiree
• Facebook: Facebook.com/cookesoiree

Image Credit:
Rob @Bgrzb, Dominique @itake_shots

Getting in touch: VoyageChicago 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.