Meet Chef Tyrone Banks | Owner and Operator of JoLinda’s Catering

We had the good fortune of connecting with Chef Tyrone Banks and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chef Tyrone, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Having a difficult childhood is always a rocky foundation. I was raised by my sister and had to figure out a lot of things on my own. Most of time, they were learned the hard way. In high school, I learned a lot of life lessons that got me to where I am today. However, I didn’t graduate. During my senior year, my girlfriend & I welcomed our first child into the world. To provide for them, I dropped out to work full time. Thankfully the culinary industry has many opportunities, so I didn’t have to leave my passion to support her. But, after growing my family with two additional children, money became a challenge. I got mixed in with the wrong people and made some choices that took me away from them. Going away gave me time to think about the path I was on and it was then the JoLinda’s really started to form. I wanted to provide better opportunities for my children and their children, and future generations to come. I wanted to lead by example on the right things to do in challenging situations, and teach them how to make the right choices. And through my love for food, cooking and fellowship I wanted to share those same sentiments, and that same love with everyone around me.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
JoLinda’s is my life’s work, a legacy I’m building for my kids, and it is the product of all that I have been through. I named the business JoLinda’s to honor my mother and I strive to always be a family-oriented, “people-first” caterer. My menu is inspired by the foods I grew up with and my own take on things I’m learning along the way. I specialize in comfort food with a twist. My menu is great for brunch and I get creative with the classics, taking risks to appeal to all of the senses. One of my most popular options is the Chicken and Waffles, which can come with Hennesy Glazed Chicken and Peach Cobbler Waffles or the more adventurous Sweet Potato Collard Green Waffle and Jerk Chicken. While I thrive when being creative and taking risks, I can also do classics like Smothered Chicken and sophisticated dishes like Braised Lamb. My favorite affirmation is “Where you have been does not determine where you’re going.”When people think of Jolinda’s, and myself I want them to think of me as a hard worker, and that I never gave up. Some days are tough, but others are amazing. Always stay positive. Treat others the way you want to be treated. And always remember the little ones are watching, so show them the right way.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend came to visit Atlanta, GA I would show them all of my favorite eating spots. Food is my language of love, along with words of affirmation, and everything the city has to offer I would show them. If they are super hungry after a long flight I would take them to Maggiano’s, for all you can eat Italian food. Before the end of the trip I would book us a reservation at Divan, a Persian gem, to dig into some of the best lamb chops I have ever had. I also love interactive adventures and being spontaneous so a few days out of the week I would take them to the Coca Cola Factory to try all of the different flavors from around the world, and then to the Selfie Museum to add to our Instagram pages. I would end it with a night out on the town in the historically black neighborhoods to listen to some good music and have a few tequila sunrises.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to thank all of my mentors, friends, family and significant others that helped me a long the way. To everyone that ever showed me love by booking me or by sharing my posts, or even just lending a helping hand or ear I want to thank you. Your support and love and affection has propelled me to be where I am in life and I wouldn’t be able to do this in the way I would like to without you.

Website: Www.jolindas.net

Instagram: Jo_lindas

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069942150873

Image Credits
Jasmine Kilpatrick