Love Is Key, especially when talking about chicken and waffles. Actually, Love Is Key when Tameisha and Cameron Martin touch anything having to do with food and catering. The name of their business says it all, and the love they put into their culinary efforts dates back to Tameisha’s grandmother, Daisy. Daisy’s gift was baking – particularly caramel cake – and reinventing recipes to make instant successes. Tameisha wasn’t immediately enamored with cooking and baking, so she obtained a degree in social work and built a career. Cameron was a truck driver, and between them, culinary arts wasn’t a thing; until about five years ago. 

The Martins decided to learn not only the catering industry, but the business side of being entrepreneurs. Starting with the caramel cake, that recipe was quickly reinvented (as Daisy might have done) to the waffle recipe for chicken and waffles. Fast forward to their present situation, and we find that Love Is Key: “Is a family and Black-owned Restaurant, Food Trailer and Catering Company that specializes in chicken and waffles, brunch and gourmet soul food. Fresh, flavorful, and elevated soul food that heals the soul! We cater for causes that spread kingdom principles and positively impact the advancement of all people!” 

With a grant from G.I.F.T. (Generating Income For Tomorrow), as well as assistance from the Urban League, Love Is Key is now a thriving catering business, a food truck, and host of several pop-ups around the metro area. Currently housed in the Mid-Continent Public Library Culinary Center in the Northland, where commercial kitchens are for community use, there will also be several more upcoming food truck locations and pop-ups. More than anything, Tameisha and Cameron want to operate from a place of helping others. Their mission is to impact children and families in their community. It sounds like food and love walk hand-in-hand with this amazing couple. For more information, visit loveiskeykc.com.

Featured in the February 10, 2024 issue of The Independent.