Meet Michaella Kosia of Manifest Kitchen

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michaella Kosia.

Hi Michaella, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.

Sure! My name is Michaella and I am an educator at heart, food lover by nature, and chef by trade. With roots from Sierra Leone and my passion for cooking, my style of cooking is heavily inspired by my cultural background. My love affair with cooking started early. Growing up, I was always in the kitchen watching my aunties cook and delighted in helping when allowed. From there, my passion continued to grow. I’ve always wanted to go to culinary school but chose the traditional route of receiving a four-year degree instead. However, that never diminished my desire for cooking because I always wanted to be a chef. I started Manifest Kitchen as a blog, off and on, in 2018. I created the name while in my kitchen, brainstorming and just thinking about how I wanted to manifest my dreams. I am a huge believer in manifestation. It sounds a little corny but that’s how the name came to be. During this time, I would occasionally take orders for friends while working my public health job.

Fast forward to 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic happened. I had been working in public health for several years but since the pandemic started, I had more time to reflect on what I truly wanted in life. I felt a divine feeling to go after what I knew would bring me genuine joy. So I decided to quit my 9-5 job and pursue my culinary dreams. I was super nervous but I felt like it was the right decision. I put my trust into the universe to see it through. Manifest Kitchen became official in November 2020 and I began to do virtual cooking classes then moved into doing more small catering orders and private dinners. With the support of friends and family, I was finally stepping into my dream. It has come with its own set of challenges/barriers, especially in the middle of the global crisis but I’ve been persevering and growing my business with new clients.

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 has definitely not been a smooth road. The path to entrepreneurship is filled with highs and lows. With plenty of responsibilities for my business and personal life. I’ve had to be more intentional about putting my mental health first. It has been mentally and emotionally challenging starting a business, especially in the middle of a pandemic.

I do not have any business management training, therefore it has been a challenge starting and maintaining a business, especially one in the foodservice industry. Lacking the financial support by not having capital has also been a hinderance. It takes longer to get necessary business documents which can delay opportunities.

Mentorship is a necessity, especially for someone like me who does not have business management experience nor being a professionally trained chef. I’ve realized I need more guidance and support in that area. Obtaining a mentor would help with my confidence in accomplishing my goals both short-term and long-term.

I want to be able to have hired staff to assist with events. Right now, I am the only employee in my business with the occasional help of my friends, family, and a brand assistant. Therefore I do 99% of the work.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a self-identified Chefpreneur and owner of Manifest Kitchen, a catering business based out of Zebulon North Carolina, specializing in West African Cuisine with influence from Caribbean cuisine and soul food. My business provides service to, but not limited to: Raleigh, Durham, Chapel-Hill, Apex, Cary, Zebulon, Clayton, and surrounding areas. My services include: catering to 100 people or less, private dinners, virtual cooking classes, and boxed lunches.

My business is unique because I specialize in a niche that is rare in the area I live. West African cuisine is gravely underrepresented in the south but especially in the Raleigh-Durham and surrounding areas. I want to bring more representation of West African cuisine to North Carolina through my business. My dream and goal is to have the first West African food bus. Eventually, I would like to establish a restaurant that specializes in West African food with a focus on Sierra Leonean food.

I love that my business not only provides various services but also educational content about the different dishes I offer. Food is the cornerstone of culture and history. When you experience a people’s food, you aren’t just eating. You are being invited to learn more about where they come from. I am very intentional about my branding in the area of storytelling because I personally love learning about the origins of different foods. I believe you gain a higher level of respect and interest in cuisine when you know about its origins and the importance. Thus you learn more about its people. Manifest Kitchen is not just a food service. It is a culinary experience. Lastly, my branding and business is inclusive of all ethnicities, gender identities, backgrounds, etc. That is what I am most proud of brand-wise.

What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
Likes: Greenways/trails, lakes, awesome and plentiful places to eat, driving distance from town to town, local farms/fresh food.

Dislikes: Summers are extremely hot, not enough affordable housing, increasing homeless population, lack of equity and inclusion for marginalized groups.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://www.manifestkitchen.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/manifestkitchen/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/manifestkitchen
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/manifestkitchen
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/manifest-kitchen-raleigh