Check Out Kendrick Rainer’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kendrick Rainer.

Hi Kendrick , so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’m Kendrick my family is from the south but I grew up in south central and consider myself a southern city boy. My childhood was kind of rocky and I was exposed to things I probably shouldn’t have been exposed to but I wouldn’t change it for the world because I’m resilient and everything I’ve been through made me who I am today. I graduated from Ramon C. Cortines School of Visual and Performing Arts High School also know as V.A.P.A. I graduated college with my Bachelors from Cal State University Dominguez Hills. Since a kid I’ve always been family oriented and loved helping people. This brand was built on love, compassion and southern hospitality. I started out cooking breakfast with my father at a young age. I then gravitated towards my mother in the kitchen and we started cooking together when I was around 8 exploring different flavors and recipes adding our southern twist. We would watch different food network shows and when we see something we want to tackle we would head to the grocery store and get everything needed. We have made food from around the world over time varying from soul food, Indian food, Chinese food, Caribbean food and the list goes on and on trying different comfort foods and flavor profiles. This caused my love and passion for food and making people smile to grow into what we have today.

In December of 2019 I witnessed my mother tragically suffer from a ruptured blood vessel in her brain that left her recovering in a nursing facility after witnessing that the light left my body I wouldn’t wish that type of pain on my worse enemy. My mother always said I was her Son-Shine because I lit up every room I walked in but I couldn’t find that light anymore. I couldn’t function I even played with the thought of dropping out of school at the time.

In July 2020 I found that light again through my mother and I shared love of cooking and trying different foods. My friends asked me to come over to make oxtails and I recorded their reactions trying the food and posted it on social media not thinking anything of it. Next thing I know I’m getting messages left and right from people telling me I should sell plates. The hype was so big I decided to make a flyer and 5 people turned to 10 and 10 to 20 and my first day selling plates I sold over 20 plates and had to do a second day of plates because I still had inquiries. My business was doing so well I quit the job I had at the time and was making plates full time. After so long I transitioned to majority catering while still doing meal prep and various other things. I always wanted to open a restaurant or a food truck since a kid but always thought it was a far fetched dream. Fast forwards I would have never thought I would be where I am today. My business continues to flourish and build traction and I finished school because I know my mother would want me too and now I get to do both of my passions coping and being a Children’s Social Worker helping children and families.

With all of that being said I invite you to not only take part in my amazing cuisine but to take a trip with me and my family for an experience you’ll never forget.

Sincerely
Mealz By KenDoll A.K.A. The Cooking Social Worker

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I feel like I grew up fast and always had a nurturing wanting to take care of everyone and that’s something that can be trying mentally and emotionally.

In December of 2019 my mother had a vessel rupture in her brain resulting in her not being able to walk or talk. My mother is my best friend so that as devastating for me. For 6 years I’ve been in limbo emotionally because she was still here but not at the same time so trying to push through life and trying to accomplish goals she would want me to has been trying but I have done a great job if I do say so myself. My mother sadly passed March 26th 2025 so that’s a new found hurt that I’m learning to accept and navigate.

In December 2023 I worked hard to buy my first home. Before I could make a year being in the home August 2024 someone set my home on fire destroying everything I worked for and memories that I can’t replace. It’s been very trying dealing with that and wrapping my mind around it but like I stated previously I’m very resilient and try not to let anything stop me.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a caterer and a children’s social worker.

I’ve been cooking since I was around 8 it’s always been a far fetch thing for me but it blew up over night literally.

I’ve also wanted to be a social worker since about 11. When I say that people think I’m crazy and want to know why but it circles back to me just being a family oriented person and someone always wanting to help people. When I was about 11 there was a case opened up where my family was under investigation. Til this day I don’t know why the case was open I considered my mother to be the best of the best but watching the social worker I had fight to get the case closed sparked something in me and I said “I want to do what she does”. I hate that I don’t know her full name because I would love to reach out but her first name is Rosie.

Something that sets me apart from others is I never let anything stop and never let anyone see me crack. That can be a blessing and a curse because I do think it’s important to let the important people to you see that vulnerable side but I’m just built tough and very resilient.

Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Just put yourself out there. The worse someone can say is no and if they do keep pushing until you get that yes. My dad always said when I was going up to shoot for the stars and if you fall short you’ll still be in the sky.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tiktok.com/@mealz_by_kendoll?_t=ZT-8y5z6yMLDJn&_r=1
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mealz_by_kendoll?igsh=MTNlc3k3MGFncnZ0Yw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/that_nigga_k3nny?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr