Daily Inspiration: Meet Derek Griffin

Today we’d like to introduce you to Derek Griffin

Hi Derek, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’m originally from New York. I started Ruby, Dean cuisines and Hempstead, New York right before Covid.. in 2016 I was diagnosed with kidney failure and I had no money at the time I had just relocated from Atlanta Georgia to my home state New York so I need to make some money and I didn’t have disability at the time so I went back to my passion of cooking. I started cooking when I was five years old and I’ve been cooking ever since.. my grandmother was my influence Ruby, Dean Truitt that’s my grandmother and that’s the name of the company and she taught me about southern cooking and cakes. She taught me everything once we relocated to North Carolina three years ago. I decided to go to Johnson community college for culinary arts. I receive my certificates and I opened up the Ruby Dean cuisines here in North Carolina.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely was some challenges in the beginning of course one being I’m not from North Carolina or from Clayton so marketing in this new city was definitely a huge challenge. We actually did very good last year for the first year here in North Carolina. We established our catering company and we had nine events last year and they were all word-of-mouth so that was really good but social media was also a challenge because again we wasn’t established here so I was still getting orders for our baked goods, but it was all my New York clients and I had to shut that down for a little bit and reestablish that here so it’s definitely a work in progress.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I own and I’m the Chef at Ruby Dean Cuisines. Bringing a taste of Southern charm and hospitality to every table, where every meal is a celebration of togetherness, laughter, and unforgettable flavors. Creating memorable moments and spreading joy, one delicious dish at a time.
I am most proud of honorable, the legacy of my grandmother, Ruby, Truitt, and her recipes. Ruby Dean Cuisines is centered around hospitality and quality, offering custom-made recipes infused with grandma’s loving spirit.

What makes you happy?
The biggest thing that makes me happy is watching the faces of our customers guest. Bringing all the different types of people together at the family table and the conversations that they have while eating our food makes me extremely happy.. another is community being able to serve our community wherever we go sometimes praying with people sometime encouraging people sometime inspiring people that makes me very happy, especially our young

Contact Info:

• Website: www.Rubydeancuisines.com
• Instagram: Ruby Dean Cuisines
• Facebook: Ruby Dean Cuisines
• Youtube: Ruby Dean Cuisines