By Chanda Temple
For the last few years, Yanisa “Tay” Odom has brought the bold flavors of Thai street food to Hoover and Birmingham’s Pepper Place Market. But in 2024, she set her sights on an even bigger dream, and that was to bring authentic bubble tea to Birmingham.
Opening a brick-and-mortar tea shop was no small feat, and Yanisa knew she needed the right foundation to make it happen. That’s when she turned to the Birmingham chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier International, a group dedicated to uplifting women in the food, beverage and hospitality industries. She applied for one of their grants, and she won. She used the $5,000 to help pay for an attorney as she worked to open her shop in the old Tropical Smoothie location across from Railroad Park.
Now, with support from Les Dames, Yanisa is brewing up something special: Yay’s Tea, which is slated to open this spring.
“This (grant) can help a lot. It’s really huge,” said Yanisa, 45. “But I also get something else from Les Dames. I get support. I get to know a lot great people. That’s very important. ‘’
The grant was made possible through fundraisers the chapter hosts, including its Sweet Treats fundraiser, which contains a variety of desserts created by Birmingham Les Dames members. Orders can still be made, and the public can pick up their baskets on Saturday, Feb. 8 at Pepper Place from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m.
At least 15 dessert bags will be featured in each box, offering different kinds of cookies, cakes and more. Each box is $50. To make an order, go here. This is the fourth year for the Sweet Treats fundraiser, said organizer and Les Dames member Gia McCollister.
“This box is perfect for a Super Bowl party. The Super Bowl is the next day,” Gia said. “We love to give back to the community.”
Les Dames also has a larger fundraiser in the fall. It’s the group’s Champagne and Fried Chicken .
Applications are now open for Les Dames business grants and college scholarships. The deadline to apply is Friday, March 21, 2025. Go here for more information.
Running a business is never easy, and as a woman, the obstacles can be even greater. And this is why Yanisa said she is thankful for Les Dames of Birmingham. It’s not them helping her bring her own bubble tea to the Magic City, but also serve smoothies, garden rolls, and sticky rice to a growing customer base.
“Our drink that we sell at Pepper Place (during the Saturday market) is quite popular,” she said. “We think that we can expand.’’
Chanda Temple is an award-winning writer living in Birmingham, AL. She blogs at http://www.chandatemplewrites.com. If you have a food story idea, email her at chandatemple@gmail.com. Follow her food postings on Instagram at @chandatemple.
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