Writer: Karla Walsh
Photographer: Duane Tinkey
The love story of Andrea and Daron Reddick (pictured above), the spouses and co-owners behind Big Momma’s Catering, was more of a simmer than a quick fire.
“We met when we were 14 and lived about a block away from each other” in Dolton, Illinois (near Chicago), Andrea says. “Daron was friends with my brother initially and then we became a ‘thing,’ dating most of high school.”
They broke up near the end of their senior year and went their separate ways. The spark returned in 2012, however, and they’ve been creating magic together—in the kitchen and beyond—since. They married in 2018 and now have five kids (Aiden, Tristian, Alexziana, Daron Jr. and King) in their blended family, plus a catering business they launched in April 2020.
To date, Big Momma’s Catering has whipped up appetizers, brunches, dinners and more for bridal showers, school functions, celebrations of life, birthdays and other gatherings. Birria tacos, lasagna and charcuterie boards are top sellers. Other favorites include soul food—braised greens, chicken and waffles, and mac and cheese.
So what’s the secret sauce to running a successful food business as a married couple?
“You’re more aware of your partner’s personality and strengths, so you can use that as an advantage in your business,” Andrea says. “At the same time, you both have to learn when to separate your personal lives from your business. No matter what goes on that day, business must resume as normal and your clients should be your No. 1 priority.”
When they are on personal time, Andrea and Daron love sneaking away for a date night. Pre-pandemic, they enjoyed nights out at the movies with a restaurant dinner, but now they’re watching movies at home and cooking for themselves—yes, even on their nights off the clock.
This Valentine’s Day, they’re looking forward to diving into their signature seafood boil with crab, shrimp, corn on the cob, sausage, baby red potatoes, and a mild or spicy seafood sauce. You can follow their romantic lead for $55 to $75 (depending on your preferred crab variety) for plenty to feed a duo.
Visit their Facebook page to learn more or to place an order for this or any of their other creations.
