Rising Stars: Meet Jorieka Downey

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jorieka Downey.

Hi Jorieka, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started my business in 2019 with the help of a fellow single mother turned friend/business partner. She and I met at an event that I catered and she was so impressed with the food that she began following me on social media. Two years passed from the initial meeting up and she watch me hustle doing various catering and private chef jobs for celebrities and local people and was impressed by my work ethic and she offered to split the cost to open a business with me. So, in February 2019 we both put in money and started GRITS CLT LLC catering. After six months of the partnership, I realized she did not have a passion for this business and so we decided to split since then I’ve run this business as a sole proprietor with an awesome staff. GRITS is an acronym meaning girl raised in the south and is a southern fusion cuisine fused with Caribbean, Creole, Spanish and African cuisines. It’s a fusion of all the cuisines that I love!! Opening in 2019 and having a great first year we were tragically closed down due to Covid 2020 throughout 2021. Re-opening May 2021 with a food truck that I purchased With Covid relief monies I obtained from various grants and loans given to small businesses for COVID relief. Which was truly a blessing. I’m a single mother with very little family in Charlotte so being an entrepreneur is hard sometimes. But all my life I’ve had adversities that I’ve had to battle or overcome alone so it just made me stronger and wiser. I wouldn’t change anything about my past because it defines the woman I am today. GRITS will be a thriving catering and food truck business for many generations which is my main reason for being an entrepreneur!!! Generational wealth for my children and the children. I hope that my children keep this business going for generations to come. 

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Starting with a business partner but after 6 months realizing that it was a good fit was devastating, but I knew it was best that we go our separate ways. And running this business as a sole proprietor as the working business owner is very stressful, and opening a business after COVID was very stressful finding staff, controlling costs due to price hick, and just getting back to a daily routine of work has been the most stressful 

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m Chef Jo, and I’m the Executive Chef and owner of Charlotte’s newest most flavorful list 🤪 food truck swerving and serving daily, also offering catering and private chef services. We offer a Southern fusion of Caribbean Creole African and Spanish all fused with the taste is Southern cuisine. Our signature dish of lemon pepper collards has stolen the hearts of many customers as well as the pimento Mac, which is often overlooked due to the pimento but when tasted it becomes the top selection. I’m so proud to just see my vision come to life. I manifested this business over a ten yr. span. Graduating from culinary school and set a goal of 5 yrs. before I opened a business. And to actually do it I’m still amazed and grateful and so ready for all that’s coming my way. What sets me apart is I’m me! And there’s only one me. I can be nothing more than me, I will at all times represent myself and my business professionally and give my blood sweat, and tears to make sure my customers are happy with the service and food they receive from GRITS CLT!!! Girls raised in the South serving the best food you ever put in your mouth!!!

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc.?
I don’t have much time to do any reading or listening so not at this time, God is my resource, and having family and friends as well as colleagues in the industry that I look up to and are mentors definitely helps keep me sane! 

Pricing:

• Catering $15-up depending on proteins
• $350 and up for private Chef services
• Lunches vary from $12-to 25 depending on the protein
• Merchandise available for $25 and up

Contact Info:

• Email: gritsclt@gmail.com
• Website: www.GRITSCLT.online
• Instagram: g.r.I.t.s_clt
• Facebook: GRITSCLT