We recently had the chance to connect with Brianna Tate and have shared our conversation below.
Brianna, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
One of the biggest misconceptions is the COST and I don’t just mean the money! Yes, running a food business can be expensive (ingredients, equipment, staff, permits… the list goes on), but the real investment is the sacrifice. People see the food and the smiles, but they don’t see the 4 AM prep time & 6am grocery runs, the missed holidays, or the fact that I’ve turned down more brunch invites than I can count because I’m working behind the scenes to make sure everything runs smoothly.
Some folks assume I just cook, serve, and go home. But this business takes everything like time, energy, emotion, and a serious commitment to excellence. It’s not just a job, it’s a lifestyle.
I always say: you might see a food truck, but what you’re really looking at is a full-blown operation powered by passion, grit, and a lot of prayer.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Brianna Tate, and I’m the Owner and Chef behind Better Taste By Bri. My journey started right in my home kitchen, cooking plates for family, friends, and anyone who heard through word of mouth that “Bri can throw down.” What began as a side hustle quickly grew into a full-blown passion and purpose. I never imagined that simple plates made with love would one day lead to a fully operational food truck, serving communities all over North Carolina.
Every step of the way has been a blessing. I give all glory to God for opening doors I didn’t even know existed and for placing people in my life who supported me when I had nothing but a vision and some good seasoning. I’m incredibly grateful for where I started and even more excited for where I’m headed.
What makes Better Taste By Bri special is more than just the food, it’s the heart behind it. My biggest concern is customer service and satisfaction. Every meal is crafted with care, culture, and a deep desire to connect people through flavor and hospitality. We serve soul food with soul, and American food with even more soul!
Right now, I’m focused on continuing to grow the brand, serve more communities, and expand into catering and events. My story is still being written, but trust me, the flavor’s only getting better.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Back then, I was a cheerful and imaginative little girl with big dreams and even bigger confidence. I was smart, like “correct the teacher” smart and let’s just say that didn’t always sit well with folks. I asked questions, I challenged the rules, and I had no problem standing up for myself. I was kind, but I wasn’t to be played with. There was a certain fire in me that made adults either love me or label me.
As I got older, the world tried to dim that light and told me to “tone it down,” or to stop being “too much,” basically to make myself smaller to make others comfortable.
Now, I’ve learned to balance that same fierce spirit with some grace, and wisdom. I’m still her, just evolved now. And the best part is I FINALLY stopped asking for permission to be exactly who God created me to be!
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Absolutely. When I first bought my food truck, I thought I was finally stepping into the promise but it turned out to be one of the hardest seasons of my life. I had it custom built and was told it would be up to code, but when it came time for inspection, it was not ready. No matter how much I fixed or adjusted, it was always something new.
After over $60,000 was already invested, I wasn’t making a dime! My dream felt like a financial and emotional burden, and I honestly started to wonder if I made a huge mistake. I was discouraged, exhausted, and ready to walk away.
But God.
Right when I was at my lowest, He began aligning everything I needed including the right people, the right resources, and the strength to keep going. It didn’t happen overnight, but doors slowly started to open, and I started to see light again.
That moment taught me that purpose doesn’t come without pressure, and dreams don’t come cheap. But if God gave you the vision, He will always make provision.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
Absolutely not 😂 Let’s be real — the public gets the more polished version of me. I’m 28, single, with no kids. So I am very much young, wild, and FREE baby! However, I am mature enough to know how to carry myself in every room I walk into. I know when to turn it up and when to keep it classy.
Now don’t get me wrong, the real me is still in there! The cracking jokes, singing VERY loudly, and saying EXACTLY what I think. My day ones know THAT version of me. I’m always down to show the real me to folks who can handle it, but I also understand that professionalism matters, especially when it comes to business and people’s hard earned money, including mine!
So yes, I keep it cute and respectful in public, but just know… behind the scenes, I’m a whole character!
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people remember my resilience. I’ve been called lazy, spoiled, and spoon fed for most of my life… which is wild because I’ve had to work, fight and pray for EVERYTHING I’ve built. So I guess I went ahead and dispelled that little myth 😂
I want people to say, “She never stopped.” That no matter what was thrown at me, whether it was doubt, obstacles, or straight up disrespect, I just kept showing up. Evolving and truly making something out of nothing.
I hope they say I inspired them to trust God, bet on themselves, and stay solid no matter what. Because at the end of the day, my story isn’t just about food it’s about faith, and freedom to be exactly who you are while chasing what you love.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bettertastebybri.com
- Instagram: @BetterTasteByBri
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/bettertastebybri
