Kelsie Jordan Penn’s Stories, Lessons & Insights

Kelsie Jordan Penn shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Kelsie , it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: Would YOU hire you? Why or why not?
Would I hire me? Yes.
Okay, maybe I’d have to side-eye myself for being a little tardy here and there (just keeping it real!) — but beyond that, I’d hire me in a heartbeat.

I might not be the first one to clock in, but I will be the one who brings the most flavor, heart, and hustle to the table. Once I show up, it’s go-time.

I care deeply about what I do — not just how it looks, but how it makes people feel. I have a strong work ethic, creativity, and I don’t believe in cutting corners when it comes to quality. I take pride in creating food that’s not just delicious, but intentional — and I genuinely want to help people eat better without feeling like they’re missing out.

So yes, I’d definitely hire me. I’m the type of person who’ll show up a few minutes late… but then turn around and make everyone forget about it with the right positive attitude and with something bomb I made from scratch!
And when this food truck opens? Just know that I’m bringing all that same energy with me —- but with wheels

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Kelsie Jordan Penn – a passionate caterer, content creator, and future food truck owner based in Chicago.
I’ve worked in a variety of restaurants and hotels throughout the city and graduated from Culinary Arts aka Joliet Junior College. That hands-on experience has shaped the way I cook today: with intention, flavor, and integrity.

Currently, I’m balancing a full-time 9-to-5 while running a growing catering and meal prep business and sharing cooking tutorials on YouTube. I have two channels: Kelsie Jordan, where I explore a range of recipes, and Kels Kitchen Presents, which focuses more on my specialty — flavorful, feel-good vegan food inspired by Chicago street eats, Creole staples, and comforting classics. I’m honest about the fact that I’m still transitioning — there are a few things I haven’t let go of yet — but I fully believe that a vegan lifestyle is the most healing and conscious path forward. My goal isn’t to be perfect, but to be intentional. I want people to see that it’s a journey, and it can still be flavorful, fulfilling, and deeply satisfying.

The next goal is a food truck. What makes my brand unique is my commitment to making healthy food taste amazing. I take pride in using organic, high-quality, and often Yuka-approved ingredients. My goal is to not only nourish but also educate — to expose the hidden dangers in the typical American diet and help people reimagine what plant-based food can be. While I still cook with meat on occasion, I’m actively transitioning to a fully vegan lifestyle and bringing my audience along with me. The food truck will be a space where I can merge convenience with quality — fast food that fuels you instead of draining you. I plan to serve a mostly plant-based menu with bold, familiar flavors — things like vegan Italian beef, Creole mac, and loaded street tacos — so people can feel good without missing out on taste.

Whether I’m serving clients, developing new recipes, or dropping knowledge in my videos, it all comes down to one mission: healing our communities through food that loves you back and teaching one to eat to live.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
I would have to say my mom, dad and auntie. I feel like they all held me to a higher standard (and still do) for me to be the best version of myself.

My mom and dad believed in me when it came to my skills and always supported me when it came to me acting, cheerleading, cooking, nursing, etc. They never told me that I couldn’t do something. Instead they helped paved and created the way so I can give it my all.

My aunt used to dress me and help me set trends. Ripley’s believe it or not— I was the first person to wear skinny jeans at my middle school plus other staples. She also introduced me into make up and really good food items! I learned how to use chopsticks early on from hanging out with her.

My other aunt and my cousins — we spent a lot of time growing up together. Really being ourselves and displaying our personalities to each other judgement free. I can always count of them to be as silly as we like and help me in the kitchen when I need them.

Shoutout to them for being a major positive role in my upbringing

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me my strength.
It’s in the toughest moments where you literally feel like quitting — but choose to stay another moment, stay and fight another day/shift —- is when you get the most strength/become stronger.

Suffering also taught me and continuously confirms to me that God and Jesus is very much real. There has been times where I was really low and called for help and received exactly just that. I notice that I tend to have more harsher lessons and a bumpier ride when I try to do things on my own and lead my own way. So it’s best to stay connected to the Lord and try my best to be obedient and patient.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
I admire a lot of my family members. Their values, sweetness, kindness, strength and hard work is something that set the foundation for me as a person. I grew up with amazing people that really have hearts of Gold/pure intentions. That’s just something that’s hard to find nowadays and something money can not buy.

Outside of them – I admire Will Smith. I love how he can play so many different types of roles — serious, funny, action packed, sad, etc and he can nail them all. His book Will is amazing and I’ll never forget when he said in an interview one time “You have to be able to laugh at everything.” Laughter is something that can lighten any mood no matter what you’re going through. Life isn’t meant to be so serious. So keeping things light hearted can soften the mood and keep one in a positive head and heart space.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
There are moments when I have did my best and didn’t receive praise or appreciation for it.

But I have this thing where I know WHO I’m working for. Am I working for other people’s praises or am I working for the Lord?

That’s why integrity and continuing to do good despite praises is easy to me because 1. I know that it’s not being unseen, even if it feels or looks like it and 2. Karma is a thing. What you put out is what you receive back so it’s great to be intentional with the energy and doings that you put out into the world and to other people.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: _Kelskitchenpresents
• Youtube: Kelsie Jordan
• Other: Plant Based YouTube: Kels Kitchen Presents