We had the good fortune of connecting with Chef Martika ‘TheSoulfulCook’ Wells and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chef Martika, what are you inspired by?
The passion for food that drives me is deeply rooted in the understanding that food is not simply a necessity for survival, but an integral part of our lives. I believe that food is more than just sustenance; it is a source of joy, connection, and expression.

I have a genuine love for cooking and all things food related. I understand that without food, we cannot live, as it provides us with the essential nutrients our bodies need to function and thrive. But my passion goes beyond the basic need for nourishment.

Food is a universal love language that brings people together. It has the power to connect individuals from different backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. I recognize that everyone looks forward to eating because it brings a sense of comfort and satisfaction. It is a time to gather with loved ones, share stories, and create cherished memories.

Food is also a way to explore and appreciate different cultures. Through cooking and experiencing diverse cuisines, I can celebrate the richness and diversity of our world. I know that food has the ability to break down barriers and foster understanding between people.

Moreover, I understand that food is not just about taste, but also about the ENTIRE experience. It is about the sights, smells, textures, and flavors that tantalize our senses. They appreciate the artistry and creativity that goes into creating a delicious meal.

In essence, the passion for food that drives me stems from the fundamental belief that food is life. It is a source of nourishment, pleasure, and connection. This is why I aim to share this passion with my listeners, inspiring them to embrace the joy of cooking and savoring every bite.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
What sets me apart from other caterers around the world, is my passion for cooking and understanding that there is more to serving than just creating delicious southern cuisine. My focus is always on my client because my client deserves a unique and memorable experience.

From the moment I take that first call with a prospective client, I carefully listen to their needs and preferences. I want to know my clients’ favorite food. I want to consider and respect their dietary preferences and restrictions. I cross-examine their desired customized menu with their event details to ensure that the food completes the experience.

I am most proud of my opportunity to cater for the Juneteenth Brunch for Mayor Pro Tem Carolyn King Arnold at Dallas City Hall in honor of her Juneteenth flag raise.

Catering definitely has its pros and cons, with the pros always outweighing the cons for me. Catering has been very rewarding in various ways, but the journey has not been easy. The first challenge was learning to become comfortable with the long hours required to create my clients’ unique and memorable experiences.

My second challenge would be my strive toward perfection. However, I soon realized that there was no such thing as perfect. No matter how hard I try, there is always something that could have been better – underestimating the weather, attention to detail, underestimating cooking times and food amounts for large-scale bookings, uncontrollable variables.

I am always evolving into the best Chef I can be. Catering requires a lot of hard work and dedication. I’ve learned so many life lessons such as time management, organization, communication, and customer service skills. Most importantly, I’ve learned how to work under pressure and how to handle difficult situations. Caterers must be able to adapt to different situations and be able to think on their feet. The ability to be creative and think outside the box when it comes to planning and presentation is what keeps me booked and busy.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
When my family comes from Mississippi to visit Dallas we always eat at Southside Steaks and Cakes a minimum of three times while they’re visiting on a week-long trip. Southside Steaks and Cakes is owned by a couple by the name of, Chris & Nicole, who treat me like family each and every time I walk into their restaurant. It’s hard to recommend just one thing when dining in with the Southside family. Their menu is similar to mine by offering a variety of options with something created for everyone. I can say that my favorite Texas Cheesesteak is Plain Jane. My favorite wing flavor is Cajun Southern. I also love the Hood Tacos which are cheesesteak-style street tacos and their remix fries. Be sure to leave room for dessert because they offer funnel cakes and have a new menu item called the Peanut Butter Paradise which also received the Big-Tex Choice award for the 2022 Texas State Fair.

Not many people in my family drink, but for anyone in search of a good daiquiri shop I recommend checking out Mr. Cajun’s in Forney. Mr. Cajun is a New Orleans native bringing his Creole roots to the DFW Metroplex. The deep-fried Catfish is highly recommended to soak up all the liquor that the daiquiri will be giving. There’s definitely no one in Dallas serving real full-sized catfish like Mr. Cajun.

I’m a very private woman. I recommend hanging out with family at Pinstacks. My favorite location would have to be the Las Colinas location. I always reserve a private VIP lane for bowling which really elevates the experience. Pinstacks also has good food and drinks, excellent customer service, and clean areas.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
In December 2022, I mentioned how I met my mentor Jordan Walker through a mutual business friend in May of 2022. At the time I never knew how Jordan and his networking community, Plug Hub, would change my life forever through the power of his connections, their support efforts, love, and encouragement.

For the people who haven’t heard of Plug Hub, it is a social club that hosts various types of networking and vendor-related events that bring brands and influencers together. The village, as we refer to it in short, has given me so many resources and tools for not only the organic growth of my business but the awareness of my brand as well. I have attained countless opportunities by having this connection to the plug.

Jordan has helped me develop strategic approaches toward long-term goals by sharing his perspective no matter what time of day I call him. This may sound selfish, but I view Jordan as a mentor designed by God just for me. However, I also know that he was also designed to help other entrepreneurs just like me. An entrepreneur who has a vision and wrote a plan to attain the vision, but was in search of being surrounded by like-minded motivated individuals who encourage you to be the best version of yourself. Jordan & his team are very transparent people with a nonjudgmental easy-going spirit and understanding hearts.

I strongly encourage any entrepreneur reading this article to check out their website to explore all of their free digital marketing resources at plughubnetwork.com. They can also be found on Facebook and Instagram.

Website: https://solelysoulful.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/solelysoulfulsc/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thesoulfulcook/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DaRealNakedChef

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/solelysoulfulsc/

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/solely-soulful-dallas

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SeasonedSouthern_byTSC/about

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutDFW is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.