Meet Carmen Friday: Culinary Artist & Owner of Cooking With Carmen

We had the good fortune of connecting with Carmen Friday and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Carmen, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I didn’t have much of a choice it became more so of which creative direction was I going to choose. Being blessed with so many God given talents in this category I had to narrow it down and figure out which one makes me happier and drives me the most. My passion for baking and cooking shines the brightest out of everything, I live and breathe for this.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’ve been cooking for many years I simply started when I was a little girl actually. I actually come from a long line of cooks in my family. One of my grandmother’s owned and ran a café in Hearne, TX and my great grandmother was a food nutritionist for the city of Dallas. I was not in the hospitality field professional in my early adult stages, I actually started out in the corporate world and later had a career switch into retail Management and spent 17 years in that field. During those year’s I knew that I was suppose to be a business owner, but to what degree.? Understanding now there were a lot of skills, knowledge and experiences that needed to be developed before I could fully take on my role what would be set before me now. The thing that most excites me about my journey is that I’m finally living within my purpose of what I’m called to do. That’s to capture people’s attention and inspiring them with my story of how I struggled emotionally and physically of not working within my passion but never giving up that dream even during the midst of the setbacks I knew that eventually I would be able to share my passion of cooking and baking by feeding my love through the inner souls of others. Also igniting that flame of wanting to learn how to cook or just getting back in the kitchen and preparing those meals that once brought everyone to the dinner table as a family. I’ve learned that everything is a process and in that process we have to learn all of the things that’s going to help us with our next level in which ultimately puts us in position to successfully handle what we’re meant to do. Having faith in God and knowing that he makes no mistakes we all have a purpose it’s a matter of finding out what it is so you can began to walk in it. I can proudly say that the tears I cry now are no longer sad tears they are happy tears because now feed that creative internal flame within me that needed to be seen and shared.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
This is a little challenging for someone like myself who is a home body. However what I can say is that most time would be probably spent in the kitchen because EVERYONE always wants me to cook, they want to eat my food. Lol. Secondly I would be teaching on how to cook and prepare certain meals because again, it’s always requested that I show how to fix it. Most of the hanging out would take place in my home simply because it’s a place of gathering of overall togetherness and great times with familyand friends. I’m sure at some point we’d venture out but it would be her choice unless we decide to brainstorm and figure it out as we go. Now the one thing I can say places that I love going to outside of the grocery store is the amusement park.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
So many people have been very instrumental in where I am today. My shout out would start with my family, just the overall love, support and teachings throughout my upbringing and adulthood. My great grandmother Cleta Smith, grandmother’s Mildred Holcomb and Hazel Moody who allowed me to hang out in the kitchen and taught me how to cook with the power of love. Mansfield Chamber of Commerce for accepting me with open arms, the consistent mentorship and support of my first business. My Best friend Angela King who encouraged me to start a business of selling my food. To my 3 beautiful baby girl’s Denise, Christen & Alyssa for being my primary motivation for wanting to be a successful role model in their lives as Mommy and Entrepreneur.

Website: www.cookingwithcarmen.online
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cookingwithcarmenf/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Cooking_Carmen
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cookingwithcarmenf/
Youtube: https://youtu.be/BOY_aPkQleE

Image Credits
the_nikon_icon Breanica Jackson @ lovethatgirlbre