Today we’d like to introduce you to Nerissa Ocean.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My cooking journey began in 2017 at a small soul food restaurant in Junction City, Kansas, called Cynthia’s One Bite Delight. The late Ms. Cynthia saw something in me that I didn’t yet see in myself. She poured into me, encouraged me, and helped ignite a passion that would eventually change my life.
After working with her for a couple of years, I pursued dental assisting school and graduated in 2019. I later worked at the same trade school I attended before relocating to Kansas City, Missouri, in January 2020. Just a few months later, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and I was laid off from my job.
Instead of giving up, I started cooking meals and selling plates out of my home in March 2020. The support I received was overwhelming, and as demand grew, I began traveling back home to Junction City, Kansas to sell plates there as well.
In June 2022, I made the decision to move back home permanently. The following month, I launched Stacy’s Heavenly Host full-time from the basement of my parents’ church, where they have faithfully pastored for more than 30 years. Through faith, hard work, consistency, and the support of my community, I was eventually blessed to open my own restaurant in nearby Ogden, Kansas March 15, 2024.
Stacy’s Heavenly Host is much more than a restaurant, it’s a tribute to my late sister, Stacy, who tragically passed away in a drowning accident on June 24, 1994, one year and two days before I was born. I never had the opportunity to meet her, so naming my restaurant after her is my way of honoring her legacy, keeping her memory alive, and feeling connected to the sister I never got to know.
Today, every meal I serve is rooted in love, faith, family, and the belief that food has the power to bring people together. My hope is that every guest who walks through our doors leaves feeling like they were welcomed home.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Absolutely not. Building Stacy’s Heavenly Host has been one of the hardest journeys of my life. Like many small business owners, I’ve faced financial challenges, long hours, staffing issues, rising food costs, and the constant pressure of keeping the doors open while maintaining the quality my customers expect.
There were seasons where I questioned whether I should keep going. I’ve had to make difficult decisions, sacrifice time with family and friends, and wear every hat imaginable, from chef and manager to marketer, accountant, and janitor. There have also been moments of grief, disappointment, and people doubting my vision.
Starting my business in the basement of my parents’ church meant I had to build my reputation from the ground up. Every customer, every event, and every opportunity had to be earned. Opening a brick-and-mortar restaurant came with an entirely new set of challenges, from overhead expenses to navigating the day-to-day realities of running a business.
Despite every obstacle, I refused to quit. My faith, the support of my family and community, and the purpose behind Stacy’s Heavenly Host kept me moving forward. Every challenge has taught me resilience, strengthened my leadership, and reminded me why I started. Looking back, I wouldn’t change the journey because it shaped not only my business but also the woman I’ve become.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am the owner and chef of Stacy’s Heavenly Host, a soul food restaurant in Ogden, Kansas, where every dish is made with love, intention, and a commitment to quality. I specialize in Southern comfort food, from slow-cooked oxtails and fried catfish to homemade sides and desserts, all prepared from recipes that bring people back to the table.
What I’m most proud of is that I built my business from the ground up. What started as selling plates from my kitchen grew into operating full-time from my parents’ church before eventually opening my own restaurant. Seeing customers become family and watching my community support a dream that started with so little has been one of my greatest accomplishments.
What sets Stacy’s Heavenly Host apart is that we don’t just serve food, we create an experience. Hospitality is at the heart of everything we do. We want every guest to feel like they’re sitting down at a family dinner. Every meal reflects the values I was raised on: faith, excellence, generosity, and love.
Beyond the restaurant, I enjoy using food to bring people together through catering, community events, and creating opportunities that celebrate Black culture, family traditions, and authentic Southern cooking. My goal is to continue growing Stacy’s Heavenly Host into a destination known not only for great food but for making every person who walks through our doors feel seen, welcomed, and cared for.
Any big plans?
The future of Stacy’s Heavenly Host is about growth without losing the heart behind the business. My goal is to continue expanding our restaurant while remaining a place where every customer feels like family. I want Stacy’s Heavenly Host to become a destination that people travel to experience, known not only for incredible soul food but also for exceptional hospitality.
In the years ahead, I plan to grow our catering division, offer more community events, and continue creating opportunities that bring people together through food. I also hope to expand our menu with signature products, including my own line of seasonings, desserts, and other retail items that customers can enjoy at home.
Beyond the business, I want to use my platform to inspire aspiring entrepreneurs, especially women and young people to pursue their dreams, even when the journey seems impossible. If my story teaches anything, it’s that your starting point doesn’t determine your destination.
On a personal level, I’m looking forward to getting married, continuing to build a life with my fiancé, and creating a legacy that honors my family. Everything I do is about building something that will outlive me. My hope is that Stacy’s Heavenly Host becomes more than a restaurant it becomes a legacy of love, resilience, faith, and community for generations to come.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Stacysheavenlyhost
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stacysheavenlyhost?
