Meet Ms.Sauce Plates

 

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ms.Sauce Plates a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Ms.Sauce, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?

Black girl magic is universal, this is the ability to code switch, adjust, adapt, shine and remain authentic. In any room I enter, I make it a point to be a solid soul. I add flowers to my crown to match my brand logo. My logo is an ombre of colors, which represents the garden I constantly grow from. I always have one person with me who has showered me with unwavering support by my side (making us the TWO standouts in the room). I make it a point to have my children attend each event I cater so that they too can envision themselves in these rooms. My hard work, ethic, determination and most importantly my faith, guides me in a room full of strangers. When I am the only one in the room that looks like me, I know my purpose even more so and that supersedes any feelings of awkwardness, doubt or fear.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

In 2024 I started a Catering Company, serving elevated plates of Caribbean Soul food, Tropical Drinks and a variety of Puddings from Long Island to NYC. Good food became my love language after indulging in my mother-in-law’s Haitian Cuisine, over a decade ago. From Epis and Macaroni Au Gratin to rice and beans, I became a full-time student in her kitchen. Before learning how to cook, I ate food for nourishment, now I eat with pure love for flavor, culinary experience and to elevate my palate. I yearn to be a Catering Curator for all cultures, perfecting food dishes from different Carribean Countries has been an endless festival of flavors, aromatics and of course infinite sauce. My passion is literally to plate your palate. I take pride in someone simply saying, “That was good.” I not only focus on the development of my brand and culinary skills but my volunteer efforts. I make sure to give back in every capacity. The day after Valentines Day, I will be hosting a free LOVE luncheon for the children of Camp Good Mourning. A Long Island non-profit organization that provides free overnight, weekend bereavement camp programs for children ages 7-17, who are coping with the loss of a parent, and/or sibling. Aside from feeding the soul, I will provide a plethora of chocolate covered desserts, raffles and gift cards to the kids of Camp Good Mourning. I have also worked tirelessly to raise funds in order to sponsor a child’s camp stay as well. I am a proud member of the Hempstead Chamber of Commerce, Glen Cove Chamber of Commerce and The City of Glen Cove’ Special Events Committee.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Willing to learn has been impactful in all areas of life. I yearn to learn about everything and anything. Not just about food or business, but people in general. Knowing about various cultures, religions, beliefs, and core values has shaped and molded me into the person I am today. It gives you a sense of self and allows you to be empathetic to others. The second quality is empathy, when you can see yourself in everyone’s shoes, they fit better. Lastly, having a career in law enforcement funded my dreams. You always need a plan a and plan b. Entrepreneurship isn’t for everyone. You may need to work a 9-5 in order to one day work 24/7 for yourself and your legacy. Live the life you can, while building the life of your dreams, until your dreams become a reality.

Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?

The Last Lecture, a 2008 New York Times best-selling book by Randy Pausch and Jeffrey Zaslow. The book in short, is about achieving your childhood dreams. Randy, who has terminal Pancreatic Cancer starts each chapter with a core memory that shaped his life and helped him to accomplish his childhood dreams. He lends advice to the children he will leave behind and provides insight into how they too can accomplish whatever they set out to. He pinpoints who has impacted his life and what he learned from those influential people. I read this book 2 years into college, and it sits on my mantel till this very day. It is by far the best book and lecture ever written. It is a book full of life lessons and inspiration.

“When you’re screwing up and nobody’s saying anything to you anymore, that means they gave up.”
“Experience is what you get when you didn’t get what you wanted.”
“But remember, the brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something. Because the brick walls are there to stop the
people who don’t want it badly enough. They’re there to stop the other people.”

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Image Credits

Charles R. Moss/In Abstract We Trust
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