Buffalo Boss Babe : Jessica Betzig

Meet our next featured buffalo boss babe, Jessica Betzig! She is the owner and delicious creator of Jess in the Kitchn Meal Prep. Not only are her meal absolutely delicious, just following her on her instagram page will make you hungry and leave you drooling! Keep reading to hear he story and where to find her meals!

Follow her at @jessinthekitchn

What made you start or brought you where you are today ? Tell us your Story. What makes you a Buffalo Boss Babe?

I grew up in the restaurant industry and always worked with and around food. I used to help my mother come up with menu ideas and specials. I’ve always had a passion for cooking. And creating food to share with people. I went to college for education but always had food and opening a restaurant or some sort of food related business in the back of my mind. I saw the meal prep industry about five years back getting started and it was very interesting to me, but just wasn’t sure what direction I wanted to go. I had started an Instagram account where I was creating recipes and sharing photos. I was really enjoying it! Then, knowing I loved cooking, my step mom asked me to make some healthy meals for some family and friends of hers that were on a special diet. So I created a menu, took a few orders prepared the food. I made about 12 meals. The next week I thought I’m going to share this on social media to see if anyone else wants some meals. And that was the beginning of something so very cool. I had no idea it would take off the way it did. I was cooking Sunday nights after my family went to sleep and would make about 40 meals, about 4 different items. I’d work late into the night so that meals would be ready Monday. The 40 meals slowly grew to 100, and kept growing. Within a month I started an LLC and opened for business. I needed my own kitchen designated for this business. My super talented husband built me a catering kitchen and was inspected by the health department. After teaching part time and running Jessinthekitchn the Kitchn for a year I decided to take a leave from teaching to explore this new venture. Since then I have grown to having family help on Mondays because I could never do it all myself. I cook Sunday and Monday and prepare over 300 items. There are meals that can appeal to everyone, family size meals, breakfast, soup, protein bites, and even dressings and sauces. 90 percent of my customers each week are repeat customers. That tells me I’m doing something right! I’m so grateful for the opportunity to cook for people- I love what I do!

Who are your favorite people to follow ?

I love @whatsgabycooking @thedefineddish

What are your favorite things to do in the area ? Buffalo and greater WNY

Love walking outside, being near the water, apple picking, and visiting local restaurants.

Tell us about your favorite collaboration or dream collaborations ?

Well my meals and protein bites are currently offered at Rise Fitness Studio in Hamburg and it’s been awesome! I’m also going to be collabing with Steph from Haak’s cakes to offer her desserts to my customers. And not really a collab but I want to be on Guys Grocery Games some day ;)

If you could have coffee with anyone in the world who would it be?

I mean that’s tough. So many people! But if I’m thinking someone who taught me so much from afar- Rachel Ray- I grew up and learned so much from watching 30 minute meals.

What are your hopes, dreams, goals. Big or small?

I’m enjoying where I am at right now. I’m still trying to decide where I would like this to end up. My family is a super high priority for me, so I’m not looking for any huge changes in the near future but possibly a brick and mortar for people to stop and grab some delish food, sauces, protein bites during the week.

Tell us about your family?

I live in Hamburg with my very supportive husband, three children, Brooklynn, Ben & Briar. We have a German Shepard named Rocco. They are my driving force and my crazy. I love them with everything that I am.

FEEL GOOD FAVORITES

Restaurant in Buffalo: Mulberry

Color: Citrene

Super Power: Multitasking

Animal : Dog

Season of the year: Fall

Favorite thing about Buffalo / WNY: The seasons