We had the good fortune of connecting with Cressada Hudson and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Cressada, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
One year, I decided to host a Mother’s Day Brunch. Afterwards, a good friend reached out to me about catering her event. A thought later came to start a catering business. I spent 2 days creating my website. I later launched my menu the following weekend. Beforehand, I ordered my supplies and food once I received my first few orders. With great friends and family as my initial customers, Sada’s Den was open for business.
My love for cooking! I am constantly thinking of ways to expand and supplement. I am the go-to for family dinners, occasions, even just because days. My family and friends have been raving about my cooking for years and finally decided to share my craft with the world. The thought of stepping out on faith and the thought of rejection deterred me at first, but then I had to self-reflect and cheer myself on. I am the only person that can create and share my craft so I had to believe that others would accept it the same way others have. Starting my business has been one of the best decisions I have made thus far.
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My website currently offers customers the ability to book catering services on my booking calendar. This is the best way for me to balance my orders and still be able to maintain a full-time job and be a full-time mother. I have dedicated clients that I prepare weekly meals for. I attended my first pop-up stop at the beginning of October 2021 and It was a huge success.
I am a mother of 2 children, Ever and Caleb (3,7). When I became a mother, I dreaded preparing meals. The prep and cutting was the worst! When it was time to throw down, I threw down. With my children as my #1 priority, they now enjoy being in the kitchen with me, my daughter has a love for spoons! Every time I prepare a meal, my son expresses how delicious my food is. It constantly brings a smile to my face. For Mother’s Day 2021, I decided to prepare a Mother’s Day brunch for the special women in my life. The cuisine was phenomenal and I was asked to make more. The thought of making my food public was scary and not easy. I work a full-time job and now provide weekly meals and catering. As a mother, it becomes difficult when my children yearn for my attention, I now have to incorporate my children in my business. My son helps keep the baby out of the kitchen and most time offers assistance. I have taken the pressure off of myself with driving orders but instead enjoy what I love to do when I can. There is love and passion behind my dishes. My thought process has always been quality over quantity. There are some weeks where my orders are limited but the number behind my orders will never diminish the quality. I cook for a crowd. I’ve learned that being patient through life obstacles prepares you for a greater outcome.
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.
Day 1: Karen’s International: The best Jamaican spot on the East Side. I come from a Caribbean background and this spot is as close to home.
Day 2: TouchDown Wings: Best wings in Snellville. I love their boneless wings and the portions are great. My friend would love them!
Day 3-6: Savannah: Savannah is a place I go to for a quick getaway trip. We would visit Savannah Beach, River Street, Wet Willies on River Street and all the other attractions. Savannah Beach is my top visiting spot. We would spend the day having drinks, getting wet, and reminiscing on the good times.
Day 7: After visiting Savannah, we would enjoy a night at Top Golf in Alpharetta. This is my favorite place to visit. They offer the golfing experience, along with drink in their signature cups, with food while you golf.
I am simple as pie and the crowd I carry is the same. An interesting week would consist of me preparing breakfast daily with mimosas. Afterwards, we will relax in our jammies and watch movies. We love wings, so our 3 or 7 days lunch would be TouchDown wings LOL, best wings in Snellville GA. I am a crown apple girl, so we would visit a nice bar and have shots. We would spend the remaining days at the beach in Savannah and visiting River Street. Laying on the beach, having drinks, watching the children run around is the best vacation. I enjoy traveling in general. I nice road trip with Netflix, yes I said Netflix has we are traveling is the ideal move. I am a show and movie fanatic, its makes the vacation even more worth while!
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My Son Caleb Hudson and my daughter Ever Morgan. Along with my Nana, my children are my inspiration. I have hit rock bottom, not having a direction to turn, but my children have motivated me to not give up and keep striving.
My Nana. My nana Felicia Foster is and who will always be my inspiration behind Sada’s Den. I lost my Nana a few years ago and one thing I knew for sure is her love for cooking and her love for her children and grandchildren. Her drive was making sure we were happy and content and that included feeding us. When it was time to visit, her first question was what I wanted to eat. I grew up watching her prepare and stand proud to make sure we were happy and one part was making sure we ate what we wanted. My nana is my drive and with her beside me always, I will succeed and be the American Dream.
Website: https://www.sadasden.com/
Instagram: sadasdencatering
Facebook: Cressada Nicole Hudson
Image Credits
Image credits-Roderick Morgan