Meet Vernice Gaston | Chef & Food Business Consultant

We had the good fortune of connecting with Vernice Gaston and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Vernice, what is the most important factor behind your success?
The most important factor behind my success and the success of my brand is authenticity.
Whether it’s a dish, a recipe, or a story—it all comes down to being real. People connect to food when it feels genuine, when it tells a story, or mirrors who you are. Staying authentic to your roots, your voice, your style, that’s what makes something noteworthy.
That would show up in things like:
Creating recipes that mean something to me (not just trendy stuff)
Talking to people like they’re at my table, not in a marketing pitch
Letting flaws be part of my journey—burnt edges and all
Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Affordable Gourmet was established in 2019; we are a local food truck that operates South of Atlanta. The mission of Affordable Gourmet is to provide the masses with globally inspired cuisines that would open their world far past the state of Georgia. The thought process behind starting our own business was that we didn’t want to work for someone anymore. My husband was recently retired, and neither one of us wanted to adhere to a strict schedule or answer to anyone anymore. The idea of a food truck came when we decided that we wanted to share with the local area the various cuisines that we were fortunate enough to experience during our travels while he was in the military. This way, we are bringing Globally Inspired Street Food to the consumer wherever they may be located. Affordable Gourmet is the first step in the process of building global brands of various food-related entities. What sets us apart from others is our consistency and work ethic. We blend chef-driven creativity with familiar flavors that hit home. It’s the kind of food you crave and remember. We also offer top-notch customer service; we make you feel like family. We are most proud of our consistency with soul; we don’t just want to be your favorite once—we want to earn your love again every time you walk up to the truck. What we are excited about is the future. New flavors, seasonal menus, expanded outreach—we’re always evolving, but staying true to our roots. Starting this business took vision, grit, and more late nights than we can count. There were moments of doubt, plenty of setbacks, and a whole lot of lessons learned the hard way. But we kept showing up—because we believed in what we were building. Was it easy? Absolutely not, there were
days when the line didn’t stop and we were running on fumes, weeks where the numbers didn’t add up, and we had to get creative to keep the lights on, times we had to pivot—menu changes, supplier issues, staffing challenges—you name it. To overcome this, we kept pushing, kept working, and we kept motivated. I have learned a lot along the way; consistency is key, communication can make your team stronger, you have to be able to adapt, and every mistake is an opportunity to grow. I want the world to know that we’re more than just a food truck. We’re a story told through flavor, hospitality, and hustle. We want the world to know that food is my language. It’s how I express creativity, show love, and bring people together. Lastly, we want the world to know that we are just getting started.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Explore the Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA): Discover exhibitions on architecture, fashion, and product design at this unique museum.
Lunch at Ponce City Market: Savor diverse cuisines in this historic Sears building turned food hall. Don’t miss the rooftop amusement area for panoramic city views.
Breakfast at The Flying Biscuit Café in Candler Park: Famous for its creamy grits and fluffy biscuits.
Drinks at The Painted Pin: Enjoy bowling, games, and cocktails in a chic, upscale setting.
Mini Golf and drink at Putt and Pour in Downtown Griffin
Coffee at Black Coffee ATL
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
So many people deserve credit and recognition in my story. First, I want to thank my husband and business partner. Without his love and support, I would not be able to keep doing what I do. He is the backbone of the whole operation. Next, I want to thank my mom. My mom, Tanice Fenner, provides me with so much guidance and an endless amount of support! I want to say thank you to my girls, Kira, Briana, and Jalyn; thank you for being so flexible with my crazy schedule and for being my free taste testers. Lastly, but certainly not least, I want to thank my godmother/mentor, Rev. Bettie L. Clarke, she was who inspired me to get into the culinary field, and I can’t thank her enough. Shoutout to my crew (you ladies know who you are)—you are legends. Thanks for sticking with me through the chaos, the laughter, and everything in between.
Our loyal foodie fan base (you guys know who you are)
Three Peas
Griffin-Spalding Chamber of Commerce
PBS Realty and Family
Donna Lynn, Retired Sharon Church Craft Fair Organizer
Putt and Pour
Suncity Peachtree Community
All of the business/schools/etc that have supported us over the years!
Website: https://www.1affordablegourmet.com
Instagram: @1affordablegourmet
Facebook: @1affordablegourmet
Image Credits
Vernice Gaston