Hidden Gems: Meet Melanie Lynn Porter of Lynn’s Soul Food Delights LLC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Melanie Lynn Porter.

Hi, Melanie Lynn; please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My name is Melanie Lynn Porter, also known as Chef Lynn. I’m a well-known private chef and caterer in Kansas City, Missouri. I was born and raised in Kansas City, but my roots are from deep down south. My grandparents and mother are from Memphis, Tennessee; my soul food recipes originated from my grandmother, mother, and aunt. Most of my recipes are Southern, but my cooking style is versatile. I’ve been taught to cook with love; honestly, it’s the most therapeutic thing I do. I love cooking, serving, and the total experience of observing people when they try or taste my dishes.

When I was growing up, my grandmother, mother, and aunt would cook at home and sell dinners from home, which was very successful for them. Back then, everything was word of mouth, so people from church, work, etc., would order from them on both sides of the state line. My grandmother and mother taught me to cook and serve my community with love and positivity. I watched and learned from them, and it is coming full circle. A few years ago, my mom had gotten ill and moved in with me; it was at the time I was starting my business legitimately. I was so devastated by her illness but dedicated to my work ethic. I cared for my mom in my home until her passing earlier this year. Like my mom, I started selling dinners from home; I even became so popular that Uber Eats was doing my food delivery. On a couple of occasions, my mom suffered a stroke twice in my home while I was serving dinner. I remember calling care to transport her to the hospital and having to finish serving my customers before I could meet the ambulance. I think back and cry sometimes, but I recognize my strength in those moments. I’ve always wanted a food truck and told my mom I would. I had applied for grants and loans for years and was always denied. I lost my mom earlier this year and kept my momentum with my business, which paid off; after my mom’s passing in February, a few months later, I purchased my food truck with no loan or grant. The saying hard work pays off is true. I catch myself sad because my mom could not see me complete my dream while she was living, but I know she’s proud of me from heaven. My story has a bottom line: if you believe in your dreams, follow them and never give up. You will only see the benefit after you do the work or task to get there. Never Give Up! I’m dedicating this article to my grandmother, Maxine Crowder; my mom, Linda Dudley; my husband, Craig Porter Sr.; and all the people who have been behind the scenes praying for and supporting my success.

Would it have been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
In the food industry, it’s challenging, especially when you are a caregiver for your parents. My most challenging experience was caring for my mom while managing and maintaining my business. That’s from one perspective, and the other challenge is food is evolving every day. If you want to stand out, you have actually to have a good product that can sell itself. It may look easy in this industry, but when you apply for assistance (grants or loans) for your business, you are most likely to be denied. This causes small businesses to use money out of pocket, which is very expensive and, if you’re not careful, could cause your business to fail before it even starts.

Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about Lynn’s Soul Food Delights LLC?
My business is Lynn’s Soul Food Delights LLC. I’m Chef Lynn, a private chef and caterer. I specialize in southern cuisine, and we offer an exclusive and extensive menu selection, top-tier customer service, and soul food experience.

In terms of your work and the industry, what are some changes you expect to see over the next five to ten years?
I will be having a grand reveal next year on my food truck and look forward to more expansion opportunities in the future.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: MsLynndwnwitgod4life
• Facebook: Lynn Porter or @LynnsSoulFoodDelights

Image Credits
Special thanks to Jackie Terry Photography