Today we’d like to introduce you to Briana Parks
Hi Briana, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My late mother once told me in order to keep my focus when I was toddler, she would turn the food network channel on the television and that would hold my attention until I was hungry. I am now 35 years old, and food still keeps me focused when the world gets loud and distracting. I was born in Cleveland, Ohio and lived there until I was seven years old. My father was a Bahamian immigrant and not permitted to the United States for the first six years of my life. I only knew a picture of my father, but my mom would show me the picture and tell me stories of his departure and that one day he would return with the exception of a few expensive collect calls. When I was seven years old, he was allowed back in the country. Within a year of him physically being in my life I would be on a plane alone with a duffle bag accompanied by my very own flight attendant headed to the Bahamas. I was enrolled in a private school and many extracurricular activities. My love for cooking began to grow when I moved to the Bahamas because of how passionate my stepmother was when she prepared dinner every night while my dad made breakfast every morning until I was an adult. She taught me how to cook without ever formally teaching me. She had an array of cookbooks and a refrigerator with food for me to explore on my own. The first recipe I ever made was Peanut butter and Jelly Casserole. I did not understand the measurements and the casserole was a natural disaster and a fond memory. I eventually matriculated into high school where I then learned measurements in home economics classes. As much as I loved cooking, I never considered it as a professional career. I left the Bahamas to pursue my professional dreams in South Florida and everything I did to survive always went back to cooking. I went to Le Cordon Bleu for several months and then realized that I had no interest in classical cooking. Classical cooking did not make me feel like I am in my most creative space. I did a few odd jobs for several years, moved back to the Bahamas and eventually opened up my very first restaurant called NOM NOM Comfort Food. Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances in 2020 my restaurant was unable to sustain. During the pandemic year I decided to move to Cleveland where I worked at Charter Communications working from home. My thirst for cooking began to grow and I started passing out food to anyone that was willing to taste it. While in Cleveland I realized that my sister shared the same passion for cooking with me and we decided that together with one more addition being our amazing friend Ebony we will create a restaurant and call it Good Eatz Cleveland. Unfortunately, my sister passed away in a tragic car accident within a year of my arrival and with that the restaurant idea went dark and all I felt was sorrow. I did not cook for months. The thought of having a restaurant was overwhelming and daunting but with a lot of prayer and therapy I began to cook again. In 2022 I met a man that shared a similar passion for cooking, and he unknowingly swept me off my feet. The situation was very complicated to say the least, but I knew we were destined to be together. As we celebrated the 4th of July in 2023, we also officially celebrated our relationship, and I felt a sense of wholeness even more. In 2023 my mother passed away and I wanted a fresh start, and I was offered an amazing opportunity in Dayton for a restaurant. There were more issues to get this location up and running than I could have ever imagined. Also, the building did not align with the business model I had created for the business I wanted. I began searching for kitchen spaces within the Dayton community and month after month I found nothing. Then one day I came across an article about three ambitious and powerful women helping to revive the food scene in the Dayton community with their virtual kitchen. I reached out to them and anxiously awaited to hear back. They sent me an email and we had several meetings, and the rest was history. There were so many obstacles that delayed my arrival to my dream but did not deny me the opportunity to have my dream. My story is still writing itself but today I am the owner of Side Piece Soul Cafe located at the Arcade in Downtown Dayton, Ohio.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
This road has been full of obstacles, denial and betrayals. This journey came with disappointment, discouragement, abandonment, homelessness. divorce, debt and grief just to name a few but those obstacles now certainly feel minuscule compared to the bliss I feel on this very day. When I was facing these obstacles, it felt cruel and at some points, I even doubted my value to this world. My faith has been sharpened from every angle and my willingness to persevere in the face of adversity was constantly challenged. I conquered most of those battles. I am still a work in progress and every day comes with its own set of problems. The wisdom I have gained is priceless and my faith can move mountains. Although I regret some decisions that I made and wish I used wisdom and knowledge over emotions I am grateful for my journey. This process was not easy, there was multiple struggles and circumstances causing a delay to my dream, but I was never denied access to it.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a food artist. The kitchen is my canvas and where I create my art. Comfort food is my specialty and what I am most known for. I am most proud of my creativity and perseverance. When I step into my kitchen I am cooking from a place of love. I am making commonly known dishes and handling each ingredient with respect and love and at the end presenting it to my customers with love and care. I believe in soul cooking and truly making a connection with your art and enjoying the process.
Any big plans?
My plan is to continue growing my craft. I intend on being more established in the community and becoming a staple and a hub in the Dayton area. As for the restaurant we are always cooking something up and looking for ways to merge our business with the community and the people that help make us prosperous. Our social media presence is definitely going to expand as well.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sidepiecesoulcafe.com
