Recipe of Love: Branden and Jada of WhatCha Cookin Baby

Chef Branden and Chef Jada

Co-Owners of WhatCha Cookin Baby

In 2019, brother-and-sister team Branden and Jada started their food truck WhatCha Cookin Baby at a pivotal time in their life. In this portrait, Chef Branden talks about his struggle to make it outside of his community in New Orleans and how he eventually discovered his worth and joy in providing comforting meals to others. Chef Jada talks about her move to Atlanta and the sustenance the city has afforded her personally, as a trans woman, and professionally, as a small-business owner.

"Once we found our purpose, we started saving up for the food truck and navigating that. And that was our 30th birthday gift, no fancy cars, no, none of that. Just something that helped me take my life, my legacy, my family, dollar, and generation to the next level. And that’s what we did." – Chef Branden 

More About Branden and Jada

What Cha Cookin’ Baby is a family owned and operated food truck which means their core values have been passed down from their late Grandma Betsy, as well as dishes they serve. They are constantly focused on creativity, improving their brand and exceeding customer expectations. As New Orleans natives, they are passionate about greeting a cajun/creole atmosphere and ensuring their customers enjoy their traditional recipes. To them, you’re family, and they are out to prove that every time time you visit.

Find WhatCha Cookin Baby @whatchacookinbaby and visit www.whatchacookinbaby.com.

Recipe of Love is a community portrait project that draws inspiration from The Hot Wing King to spotlight five Black and queer-owned restaurants, food trucks and food platforms in Atlanta, Georgia. The participants in this exhibit describe food as a language of love and as a binding agent for the Black and queer community. Each profile explores the way kitchens catalyze intimate, familial, and communal relationships that can reclaim history and self-worth to move our communities toward a more satiated feeling of belonging.

The exhibit pairs portraiture with audio interviews. It is available digitally and on display in the North Alcove Lobby in the Memorial Arts Building during the run of The Hot Wing King.