Meet Kimberly Tolbert | Personal Chef & Sr. Quality Assurance Associate

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kimberly Tolbert and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kimberly, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Taking risks is not easy but the outcome is worth it, although it won’t always appear to be in our favor. The growth and maturity that comes from it makes it worthwhile and it builds mental strength. Honestly, I’ve always been hesitant and struggled with taking risks, especially in regards to my love of cooking. It took years to decide to start a business in the food industry although I’d been cooking since I was a child. I had several doubts about being an entrepreneur as it was never something I desired or sought after. Growing up in a “make good grades to get a good job” atmosphere along with not knowing any entrepreneurs at the same time made me triple guess every step that I took. Taking risks becomes a bit easier once a person’s faith, work ethic, and passion are aligned for one goal, success. Over the last few years I’ve taken more risks with Kim’s Kitchen 901 and the results have been rewarding. There’s a saying that says “don’t wait for the right time because the timing will never be right”, and that has really stuck with me lately along with the importance of taking baby steps. Every step does not have to be major, we just have to keep working towards the direction we want to go. There is much more progress to be made and more risks to take but I am happy with the advancements that I’ve made and I look forward to what’s to come.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I started Kim’s Kitchen 901 in Memphis, TN at the end of 2019, then moved to Atlanta, GA during Summer 2021. Moving my small, but growing business to a bigger city during the pandemic has been everything but easy. The reality of it was that as soon as I developed a steady amount of clients, I moved knowing I’d have to do that all over again. For the first 6 months after my move I was going to Memphis every month, as most of my business was still coming from there and I didn’t have many customers in Atlanta. I started networking and promoting more and now I have a constant flow of clients within Atlanta and surrounding areas. I believe what sets me apart is my passion for food. I literally love everything food related from watching all of the food shows to going down every aisle of a grocery store to reading through cookbooks. I even enjoy playing food games on my phone like Cooking Fever. I love creating flavorful dishes for clients that they really don’t have to adjust with any further seasoning or flavor. Pastas are my speciality, however I enjoy creating brunch and meal preps for clients as well. Something I am most proud about is a weekend cabin trip I catered for about 25 people at the end of 2021. Everything about it was outside of my comfort zone and I had not catered for that many people consistently for that length of time. Multiple days I would cook two meals for the group. As soon as I got done prepping, cooking, setting up, and cleaning up brunch it would be time for me to do all of that over for dinner. It was a major growing opportunity and one I am most grateful for as it showed me just how much I can push myself. My brand is growing and my story is still being written so stay tuned and be on the lookout for more great things coming from Kim’s Kitchen 901!

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.
I am still learning about the city and surrounding areas, however, if a friend were to visit me, some spots we would check out are the East Palisades Trail and Stone Mountain Park for hiking. We would also have a picnic at Piedmont Park. For food and drinks I’d suggest Two Urban Licks (their salmon chips are top tier!), Jojo’s Beloved for strong cocktails, Roc South, and 5Church both for their delicious cuisine to name a few.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have to shout out my parents as they’ve always pushed me to do my best in things I’m involved with (hey mom & dad!!). My upbringing motivates me to plan for the future and create generational wealth. Next, my close friends have been my biggest support system and I would not have taken the steps I’ve taken thus far with my food business without them. They’ve entrusted me with catering several special events of theirs and they are constantly sending me referrals. They believed in me more than I did in myself and I really appreciate them. To my beautiful friends April, Chelcee, Holli, Keondra, and Terrica – you ladies have been the most supportive, not just through words of motivation, but also through your actions and numerous referrals and I am forever grateful. To anyone that has ever liked, commented on, or shared any of my work, thank you! Last but certainly not least, I am nothing without God. Praying and having faith in the Holy Spirit to guide me through the right path has been critical to my success. Prayer works and don’t let anyone else tell you differently.

Instagram: @kimskitchen901

Other: @kimbosliceofpie – personal instagram