Archive of ‘Entrepreneurs’ category

These Birmingham, AL pound cakes are so good, you’ll give thanks twice

 

By Chanda Temple 

Imagine sinking your teeth into a slice of buttery heaven.

The moistness. The golden glow. The home-baked happiness. They are all there in the five-flavor poundcake from Herban Soul Cafe in Woodlawn, AL.

When people try a slice, they swear a seasoned senior made it. But the young person behind it is Herban Soul Cafe tea house founder and self-taught baker Alexis Kimbrough, who makes the poundcake from a cherished family recipe. 

“People don’t believe I made it,” said Alexis, 30. “But they like it. They say it takes them back to their childhood.”

Alexis Kimbrough uses a family recipe to make her five-flavor poundcake. She is now taking orders for her poundcakes for Thanksgiving 2024. The deadline to order is Nov. 20. (Photo source: Chanda Temple)

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Emily Hall: How One Woman Turned a Breakup into a Cookie Sensation

By Chanda Temple

There’s something about biting into a chocolate chip cookie that just soothes the soul.

It’s ooey. It’s gooey. And just oh, so good.

And if you are Emily Hall, a chocolate chip cookie is not only comfort food but also a recipe for new beginnings.

The Breakup Cookie is made with three types of chocolate, which gives it its decadent flavor. (Photo courtesy of The Breakup Cookie company.)

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Where To Eat in Metro-Birmingham

By Chanda Temple

When people visit Birmingham and its surrounding areas, they come hungry for two things: bold history and even bolder flavor. The good news? Locals know exactly where to find both. We’ve rounded up their favorite spots, organized by location, so you can eat your way through metro-birmingham, one yummy bite at a time.

I’m working on adding links for each restaurant soon. Until then, dig into the list and get ready to enjoy what the Magic City has to offer. **This list was last updated on March 26, 2025.**

Hungry for more? Follow me on Instagram for delicious foodie pics.

Burgers, biscuits, brisket and so much more can be found in Birmingham restaurants. (Photo by Chanda Temple)
Burgers, biscuits, barbecue, boba tea, beer and so much more can be found in Birmingham restaurants, which have received national recognition. (Photo by Chanda Temple)

AVONDALE 

Avondale Common House

Big Spoon Creamery 

Joyland 

The Marble Ring 

Miracle Pizza Co.

Saw’s Soul Kitchen 

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Eugene’s Hot Chicken is named best fried chicken in Alabama

By Chanda Temple

FabCrunch.com has named Eugene’s Hot Chicken in Birmingham, AL as having the best fried chicken in Alabama.

Eugene's Hot Chicken offers fried chicken and tenders in a variety of heat levels. They also have chicken sandwiches, shrimp and fried turkey on the menu. Sides include fries and fried okra. Their ranch dressing, which is a perfect complement to the fried chicken, is homemade. (Photo source: Eugene's Hot Chicken)
Eugene’s Hot Chicken offers fried chicken and tenders in a variety of heat levels. They also have chicken sandwiches, shrimp and fried turkey on the menu. Sides include fries and fried okra. Their ranch dressing, which is a perfect complement to the fried chicken, is homemade. (Photo source: Eugene’s Hot Chicken)

In its 2023 story, FabCrunch said it scoured the nation “to uncover the best fried chicken spots that will have your taste buds dancing with joy. From coast to coast, we’ve left no stone unturned in our pursuit of the ultimate fried chicken perfection.’’ In reviewing restaurants in every state, FabCrunch.com said that Eugene’s “perfect balance of heat and flavor will leave you craving for more.’’

Eugene’s Hot Chicken CEO and founder Zebbie Carney said he’s humbled by the recognition, citing how cool it is for someone outside Alabama to recognize the restaurant’s hard work. “It’s a blessing,’’ he said.

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Slutty Vegan to open in Birmingham on Aug. 21, 2022

By Chanda Temple

Atlanta businesswoman and philanthropist Aisha “Pinky” Cole was so impressed by the hundreds of people who stood in line for hours just to get one of her Slutty Vegan burgers when her food truck pulled into Birmingham in 2020, that she knew she had to set up shop in the Magic City.

So, on August. 21, from 12 to 6 p.m., she will open her first location in Alabama. It will be located at 77 – 55th Place in Woodlawn, which is a neighborhood in Birmingham. They will serve plant-based burgers, fries and desserts.

“Outside of Atlanta, y’all have been one of our biggest supporters, and I’m looking forward to being able to opening in Birmingham and really putting our footprint in the Woodlawn area,’’ she said. “I’m confident that we will be successful there. I think it will be a win-win for everybody because between our community work and what we do and what we can offer the City of Birmingham, I think everybody will be happy.’’

Cole founded her plant-based eatery with the unforgettable name in 2018. Today, she has five locations in Georgia. Her Birmingham location will be her sixth store. She also has plans to open stores in New York and beyond. Her four-year-old company is valued at $100 million.

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Made for This: Dre Foster makes good on cooking up Birmingham restaurant for dad

Dre Foster and her father, Andre Craig, had always talked about owning a restaurant. But he died in 2016 before they could make the dream a reality. Today, Dre is pushing to make their dream a reality as she works to open The Preservery Birmingham restaurant in the city's Five Points South area. (Photos: Special)

Dre Foster and her father, Andre Craig, had always talked about owning a restaurant. But he died in 2016 before they could realize their dream. Today, Dre is pushing toward their goal as she works to open The Preservery Birmingham restaurant in the city’s Five Points South area. Pictured is Dre’s sweet potato cheesecake with toffee bits, maple bourbon syrup and maple mascarpone. On the right is her five spice duck with braised baby bok choy, a corn fritter cake and pickled watermelon radish. (Photos: Special)

Starting today, “Made for This” is my new series that highlights people answering the call to do what they were born  to do. To be considered for a profile, please email me at chandatemple@gmail.com with details on why you were “made” for what you are doing today. 

By Chanda Temple

Dre Foster and her dad often talked about running a restaurant. He loved to cook and so did she. So, in Dre’s mind, they’d be perfect partners after she retired one day.

But the dream of father and daughter running a business never happened. In 2015, Dre’s father, Andre Craig, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He passed the day after Thanksgiving 2016. He was 57.

Dre was devastated and left with a new look on life: Life is short and she could no longer ignore what had been eating at her all these years. She was made to run a restaurant.

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Your gifts will make room for you

By Chanda Temple 

Have you ever received news so good that it eft you weak in the knees? That happened to me today after receiving a text from a friend.

Her text: “I just saw this. Very cool to see you guys on this list.” She was referring to Birmingham News photojournalist Tamika Moore and me making the “50 Black Southern Belles in Lifestyle: African American Tastemakers of the South.”  After reading  her message, I was like, “Wait! What! Really?”

Untitled design (8)

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Motivation Monday: Birmingham artist offers African-American themed Christmas wrapping paper

Curly Contessa wrapping paper was created by Birmingham graphic artist Kristin Farmer. It features watercolor images of five women with natural hair. Farmer created the images. (Photo credit: Special)

Curly Contessa wrapping paper was created by Birmingham graphic artist Kristin Farmer. It features watercolor images of five women with natural hair. Farmer created the images. (Photo credit: Special)

By Chanda Temple

Birmingham graphic designer and watercolor artist Kristin Farmer has launched a holiday wrapping paper line that embraces girls with curls.

Known as Curly Contessa, the wrapping paper features five watercolor images of African-American women with natural hair. Farmer, who’s natural, painted the women. She included herself in one of the images.

Farmer rolled out the wrapping paper this month. And already, consumer interest has been rolling in for her.

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Motivation Monday: Don’t be better. Be the best.

Martell and Melody S. Holt of Holt and Holt Entrepreneurship (Photo by: Chanda Temple)

Martell and Melody S. Holt of Holt and Holt Entrepreneurship in Huntsville, Ala.  (Photo by: Chanda Temple)

 

 

By Chanda Temple 

How good are you at what you do? Are you so good that if a consumer approached one of your competitors, the competition would send them your way because they knew you were the best?

It may seem like a far-fetched concept but there’s nothing wrong in wanting this for your business. It only helps you grow, according to Melody S. Holt of Holt and Holt Entrepreneurship, which she runs with her husband, Martell, in Huntsville, Ala.

Such advice is what she shared this weekend as one of the speakers at the Sixth Annual Hair and Health Expo in Birmingham. She opened up her speech with “Are you hungry for success?” Turns out people were. Here are six nuggets she served piping hot  …

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