Meet Kevin Bulli | Fusion Jamaican food caterer
We had the good fortune of connecting with Kevin Bulli and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Kevin, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
For me, I’ve always had a love for cooking Jamaican food. I watched my mother and older sister cook in the kitchen growing up, and I just took that on into my adulthood. I never knew how much my food impacted people until I met my wife. I cooked for her on our second date, and I think that’s what won her over. Throughout the years, people would ask me “how much would you charge to make this or that,” and eventually my wife said, “If they are asking to pay for your cooking – charge them!” Lol. So that inspired me to finally start my catering business in 2019, and I’ve been doing it ever since. At the time, Houston needed more authentic Jamaican food options in the area, and I helped meet the need.
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
What sets me apart from others is the passion and the work that I put into preparing the food before I even start cooking. What I’m most proud of is the reaction I get from customers when they take the first bite of one of my dishes. I’ve heard it takes them back to Jamaica, whether they’re originally from there or just visited – they’re immediately transported to this unique island.
We’ve recently moved to an area where many aren’t familiar with Jamaican food, so it’s been a personal challenge of mine to break that and introduce these Jamaican flavors to them. It’s been quite the experience, and it brings me joy for every heart that I’ve won.
Every event that I cater has been a learning experience that has taught me about preparation, location, strategizing, sales, advertisement, etc. I’ve learned to have “seasonal items,” or adjusting the menu according to the time of day for the event.
Mainly, what I want my brand to communicate is pure authenticity. When people hear about and taste KK’s Island Style Food – they’ll know they’re in for the real deal – that their palettes will go on a journey of flavor explorations with lots of twists and turns.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
For starters, most times when family or friends come to visit they ask me to cook first and foremost.
If I take them anywhere for a change of scenery and when I’m not cooking it would be at Market Street in The Woodlands where there is an array of restaurants, bars and shopping locations.
I like to drink wine, and one of my favorite vineyards to go to is Bernhardt – so we would make a day of going there where my guests could not only enjoy wine tastings but also partake in live performances and charcuterie.
If we need a taste of nightlife, I’ll take them to the Domain or Uptown Lounge.
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to give a shoutout to my wife Fallon; who has inspired me to not only start my business, but encourages me to keep going. Also, my sister Jenice and my two older brothers Phillip and Tommy who have been very supportive and have have been there to help when needed.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kksislandstylefood/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KKsIslandStyleFood/
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