I am Chef Kenya Jenkins, CPFM, founder & owner of Lillian's Southern Box Catering, a brand inspired in memory of my grandmother, Mary Lillian Jenkins and great grandmother Lillian Williams, which shares elevated southern comfort food and desserts in a modern way, I also want to pay tribute to my grandmother Florence Collins Wallace (Baton Rouge, La), who was known in Louisiana for her creole home cooking, especially her gumbo & red beans and rice. Entrepreneurial roots are on both sides of my family, my grandfather was an entrepreneur and farmer. He was the first in his community to purchase a bus line and have tours.
At an early age, I grew up in the kitchen with my grandmother, affectionately known as "Ma". "Ma" made Sunday meals during the week, sold dinners to state government workers and "whipped cakes" with her hands. These recipes were passed down to my mother and aunts. "Ma" developed her own recipes and the most delicious food, cakes and pies that I have ever tasted., most importantly she cooked & baked with so much love to feed her family and the community.
My gifts are in my hands and I am also the Director of Baltimore Health Corps, which was developed as COVID-19 and Workforce Development Initiative in response to the global pandemic. I am dedicated to working with vulnerable populations with housing, food insecurity and workforce development. I am a change-agent who is committed to creating systems of change and bringing people together with good food!
Kenya Jenkins-Collins, CPFM, Owner, Lillian's Southern Box Catering