HEY Y’ALL!
Driven by Impact. Powered by Spirit. Building Community—One Fork, One Tour, One Table at a Time. Always with Love.
“Joyful pint-sized ‘tour de force’ best describes Jayda Atkinson. Hailing from New Orleans, she embodies a life rich with abundance, hospitality, purpose, love, joy, and the relentless pursuit of happiness. Her journey from humble beginnings to becoming a visionary in the food, entertainment, and community service sectors is a testament to her resilience and commitment to creating Heartful experiences.”
— Kiara Akita
From supper plates served out of her Uptown New Orleans home to sold-out arenas across the globe, Jayda Atkinson has always been a servant first—on a mission to nourish both hearts and stomachs. A chef at her core, Jayda began her journey selling plates from her kitchen before expanding into catering for A-list celebrities and evolving into a touring chef. That culinary path naturally opened the door to her work as a tour manager, where service, logistics, and care intersect on and off the road.
At the heart of Jayda’s work is The Success Café, the purpose-driven organization she founded in 2007. Born from her personal rebuilding journey following Hurricane Katrina, The Success Café is not a physical café, but a living concept—a space where dreams are brewed. Through this organization, Jayda leads community initiatives including Heart to Home, Bags of Hope, and youth mentorship efforts, creating pathways for restoration, dignity, nourishment, and second chances.
Jayda’s love for cooking is more than a profession—it is a calling. She finds deep joy in feeding communities at festivals, brand activations, pop-ups, and cultural gatherings, sharing the soulful flavors of New Orleans with the world. Her dishes speak of heritage, healing, and home. She is also the curator of HeartBrands, which houses food concepts including Po’Babies, culinary consulting, and immersive brand activations rooted in storytelling and culture.
Her culinary expertise and authenticity have earned her national recognition, including an appearance on Food Network’s Chopped and two guest cooking segments on The Dr. Oz Show.
Beyond food, Jayda is deeply committed to mentorship, literacy, and cultural preservation. She regularly supports high school students and reads her debut children’s book, Red Beans and Rice for Dinner, in elementary classrooms—using storytelling and food as tools to connect generations and celebrate culture.
Grounded in New Orleans tradition, Jayda remains active in the city’s vibrant cultural landscape. She dances in glamorous pink with the NOLA Lolas SheauxGirls, a Mardi Gras dance group, and leads with intention through the VIPinks SheauxStoppers, a socially community-driven social group dedicated to service, sisterhood, and cultural engagement, which she co-founded with her Partner in Pink, Kourtenay Roberts. She also proudly second-lines with The Lady & Men Rollers Social & Pleasure Club, founded by the legendary Yakamein Lady, Linda Green.
Through food, entertainment, service, and storytelling, Jayda Atkinson continues to create joyful, impactful experiences. Her life’s work is a reflection of her heart—rooted in purpose, powered by culture, and led with love.
