Host: Aaron Cozort
Guest: Aquila Phillips and Kendrick Robertson
VIDEO
PRESENTING SPONSORS:
Pure Focus Media – https://www.purefocus.media/
EPISODE SPONSOR:
Pure Focus Media – https://www.purefocus.media/
DESCRIPTION
Welcome to another mouthwatering episode of Southaven Business Beat, where we spotlight the stories behind local businesses that are stirring up success in creative, impactful, and delicious ways. Today, we’re bringing you an unforgettable conversation with Aquila Phillips, owner of Simply Southern Catering, and Kendrick Robertson, executive chef and the culinary visionary behind the flavor. If you’ve ever thought fine dining and soul food couldn’t share the same plate—think again.
In this episode, you’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at how this powerhouse duo is redefining Southern cuisine. From humble beginnings catering to dealerships with $4-a-head budgets to curating high-end, multi-course meals for celebrities and weddings, Aquila and Kendrick have built Simply Southern Catering into a top-tier culinary brand in the Mid-South. Their mission? To make fine dining attainable for everyone.
Whether you’re planning your dream wedding, a corporate gala, or an intimate anniversary dinner, this episode is filled with inspiration, flavor, and food for thought. Here’s a taste of what you can expect:
The Origin Story: Aquila walks us through how she acquired Simply Southern Catering and turned it into a high-end experience rooted in southern soul but elevated with fine-dining precision. Kendrick shares his journey from working in top Memphis restaurants like Southern Social and Flight to redefining catering through passion, flavor, and presentation.
The Mission: “Making fine dining attainable.” This isn’t just a slogan—it’s a commitment. Aquila and Kendrick explain how they make luxury-level service and cuisine accessible for all, and why it matters for families, communities, and the next generation.
Client Experience Redefined: Every event is custom-crafted from scratch. Clients don’t get cookie-cutter packages; they get one-on-one consultations, menus tailored to the vibe of the event, and execution that is seamless and stress-free. From cowboy boots to black-tie, they match the menu to the moment.
Investing in Community: You’ll hear about their amazing partnership with Contemporary Arts Memphis, where they teach young artists not just how to sell their work but how to navigate fine-dining events. From plating tutorials to etiquette, Simply Southern is elevating experiences and expectations.
Meaningful Moments: Kendrick shares touching stories of how food has been a vessel for honoring clients and celebrating people. From a deeply personal Valentine’s birthday dinner he created for Aquila to a customized anniversary meal inspired by the seasons of a couple’s relationship—these moments show how Simply Southern uses food to tell stories and build lasting memories.
Going Beyond the Plate: Hear how they went above and beyond for the Bartlett Fire Department’s graduation celebration, including a handcrafted tribute featuring the Firefighter’s Prayer—because for Simply Southern, every event deserves a personal touch.
Chamber Power: Aquila credits the Southaven Chamber of Commerce for being a game-changer in their growth. From providing tasting spaces to supporting their expansion, the Chamber helped create opportunities that led to national recognition—including winning a prestigious award for best wedding catering and presentation.
The Next Big Step: Aquila shares her future vision for Simply Southern Catering—acquiring a venue to offer full event services under one roof. With their team of decorators, planners, and project managers already in place, it’s clear Simply Southern is just getting started.
This isn’t just about food. It’s about culture, class, and community coming together in every bite. If you’re looking for a catering company that does more than drop off trays and disappear—if you’re looking for passion, precision, and personality—this episode will show you why Simply Southern Catering is the go-to name in North Mississippi and beyond.
CHAPTERS
- Intro (00:00 – 01:00)
- Meet Aquila & Kendrick (01:00 – 02:30)
- From $4 meals to celebrity clients (02:30 – 03:50)
- What “elevated Southern” really means (03:50 – 04:30)
- Kendrick’s culinary journey (04:30 – 06:00)
- The mission: Fine dining for the 99% (06:00 – 07:30)
- Custom events, not cookie-cutter packages (07:30 – 09:00)
- Cultural elevation through community work (09:00 – 10:40)
- Honoring first responders: The Firefighter’s Story (10:40 – 12:30)
- Food as a love language: Personal stories (12:30 – 14:50)
- Deeply personalized anniversary dinner (14:50 – 16:45)
- How to book and connect (16:45 – 17:30)
- The Chamber’s big impact (17:30 – 18:30)
- Vision for the future: Full event services (18:30 – 19:30)
- Final thoughts & gratitude (19:30 – 20:46)
Tell us: What’s your favorite elevated Southern dish?
Share this with someone planning a wedding or event—they’ll thank you later!
Ready to bring Simply Southern Catering to your next event? Call or text: 901-440-0089
SPONSOR LIST
https://www.wisdomintegrators.com – Wisdom Integrators
https://thefollowapp.co/ – The Follow App
https://www.purefocus.media/ – Pure Focus Media
https://www.southavenchamber.com/ – Southaven Chamber of Commerce
YOUTUBE URL
