Woman-Owned Caterers in Chicago

A blend of authentic Lebanese home cooking delivered at the hustle and bustle pace of the modern American citizen, Imee’s Kitchen is an oasis of exciting dishes in the Chicago Loop. But it’s not exactly what you’d expect from a Mediterranean restaurant. The name of the dishes may seem foreign and the condiments you’re used to may not be available. That’s because owner and chef Nicole Nassif has been uncompromising in her plan to bring the flavors of her upbringing to a wider audience and that comes with a few rules.

“I think there have been three “die on a hill” things. One of them was the names of the dishes. Everyone was like, ‘you can't put those names. It's not accessible enough. It's not accessible enough!’ I was like, ‘okay, and I ignored everyone,’” says Nicole. “The second thing that everyone was like, ‘you have to put falafel on the menu.’ …I love falafel. You know what I mean? It's just not what I ate growing up. And then the third thing is hot sauce. Everyone wants hot sauce. Well, we didn't eat hot sauce growing up, and so I'm like, ‘no, I don't have any.’”

Adrii's story is a testament to the power of transformation and following your passion. Prior to becoming a culinary virtuoso, she found herself limited to the monotony of office work that so many are accustomed to. Disenchanted by the routine, she yearned for an escape. It was during her hiatus that she discovered her sanctuary in the kitchen, where her creativity soared without boundaries. This newfound culinary journey was the genesis of Adrii's Kitchen.

"Cooking was a way to just allow myself to be free," Chef Adrii shared. "I call it my happy place. For me, it's just this place where you don't have to think. You don't have to do anything. You get to just allow yourself to be free with the food and create and imagine and do whatever you possibly can."

If you walk into the modest storefront at 367 Columbia Street, you’re almost guaranteed to be met by the boisterous charm of chef and owner Dawn Skeete. Welcome to Jam’It Bistro - Dawn’s love letter to her heritage, her upbringing and the Red Hook community that she serves daily.

Serving a fusion of Afro-Caribbean, West Indian and Italian cuisine, Jam’It has been operating since 2019 and has managed to survive despite the overwhelming pressure placed on the restaurant industry by the COVID-19 pandemic because of Dawn’s positivity and naturally giving nature. At a time when the world needed heroes, she was proud to step up and be one of them.

Embracing the rising trend of "Grazing," Eniola Akintayo opened her own Graze Craze franchise. The company has crafted a dining experience that transcends traditional meals, offering customers the flexibility to enjoy a diverse array of flavors throughout the day. That approach appealed to Eniola innately.

Originally from Nigeria and with a background rooted in a family of food entrepreneurs, Eniola's journey to Graze Craze was paved with a deep-seated passion for serving others. "When I had the opportunity to open up a Graze Craze in Austin, it seemed like a natural fit because I enjoy celebrations, I enjoy helping people host parties," she explains. "I enjoy celebrating around food."

Nestled in the vibrant borough of Queens, New York, you'll find Meghna Negandhi and her Paris Baguette establishments, serving as a focal point for nurturing lasting community connections. Before embarking on her culinary journey, Meghna spent a decade leading operations at an advertising agency. The transition from the corporate world to the food industry may seem drastic, but it was driven by an innate desire to forge deeper connections within the community.

In her words, "The food industry has always fascinated me because it allows you to connect with the community... you can turn a bad day into a good one by offering some exceptional food.""I was always interested in the food business; I'm a foodie myself, so that's what interested me in getting into this business," shared Meghna. This marks the beginning of our exploration, where the owner's love for food takes center stage in her decision to become a part of Paris Baguette. But what drew Meghna to Paris Baguette specifically? The allure of their pastries and savory sandwiches, distinctive to the brand, was undeniable.