We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tracy Garley a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Tracy , really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
My purpose revealed itself gradually, and looking back, I realize it had been unfolding all along.
I was the oldest sibling in a Liberian household, so caretaking came naturally — especially through food. By 13, my mother had me in the kitchen. At the time, I didn’t understand it. I even thought she was being hard on me. But now I see she wasn’t just teaching me how to cook; she was preparing me for purpose.
Years later, I was helping run my family’s retail business, but I still found myself constantly cooking for friends and family. People kept saying, “You need to do something with this.” They weren’t just being kind — they felt something in the food. I just wasn’t ready to see it yet.
Then in late 2018, my mentor, Ms. Shahid Musawe, sent me a message that changed everything. She told me I had a gift from God and encouraged me to seriously consider starting a food business. I was hesitant. I’d heard the stories — how tough the industry is, how not everyone makes it. That fear was real.
So I turned to prayer. I asked God to order my steps and show me the path He designed for me. In March of 2019, I took a leap of faith and opened my first ghost kitchen. That leap became the beginning of everything.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’m Tracy Garley entrepreneur, chef, and founder of Culture In A Bowl, a Liberian-inspired food brand that brings bold West African flavors to everyday dining. I launched the business in 2019 as a ghost kitchen in Detroit, and we’ve since expanded our presence to New York City, with pop-ups, catering, cultural food experiences, and workshops.
We specialize in dishes like jollof rice, fufu and pepper soup, vegan collard greens, cornbread and plantains — all rooted in West African tradition but presented in a way that feels fresh, vibrant, and accessible. Our goal is simple: to introduce more people to the beauty and richness of Liberian and West African cuisine, one bowl at a time.
What excites me most is seeing people try something new and fall in love with it — especially when it’s tied to my culture. It means a lot to watch guests connect through food, ask questions, and leave with more than just a full stomach — they leave with an experience.
Right now, we’re focused on growing our NYC footprint through events, catering, and collaborations that highlight the food, the culture, and the stories behind it all. My vision is for Culture In A Bowl to become the go-to brand for West African cuisine in the world — modern, flavorful, and unforgettable.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Three things have shaped my journey the most: keeping God at the center, building meaningful relationships, and doing the research to truly understand the industry I’m in. I’ve learned to pray over every decision and sometimes that means fasting, pausing, and asking for clarity before taking the next step.
My biggest advice, don’t downgrade your dream to match your reality, upgrade your faith to match your vision. There will be moments when things feel out of reach, but that doesn’t mean they’re not meant for you. When it gets tough, finish what you started anyway. Push through the doubt. Remind yourself of how hard you prayed to be here, and honor that by moving forward even when it feels slow. Every time you follow through, you’re building the foundation for what you asked for.
Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
My mother, without question. She’s my best friend, my role model, and the backbone of my entire journey.
Her strength runs deep. She lost both of her parents during the civil war in Liberia and had to grow up overnight. By 17, she was not only a teen mother — she was also responsible for raising her three younger siblings. She carried grief, survival, and responsibility all at once. That kind of resilience doesn’t just shape a person; it transforms them.
She brought that same strength into how she raised me. From an early age, she taught me discipline, work ethic, and how to carry myself with integrity. She pushed me because she wanted more for me — and because she knew what it meant to lose everything and still choose to rebuild. I used to think she was being hard on me, especially in the kitchen. But now I know: she wasn’t just teaching me to cook, she was preparing me to lead.
She’s still the first person I call when I’m overwhelmed or unsure. And even now, as I step into my own leadership, I lean on her wisdom. She reminds me to stay grounded, stay faithful, and keep going — no matter what.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Cultureinabowl.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cultureinabowl/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cultureinabowl/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/88868315/
Image Credits
Image Credits: @ViggyKPhotography
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
