How it all started
My mother's legacy didn't just inspire TammyTasteBudz — it became the foundation for it.
My mother, Janean Smith, was known for her soul food. She had a way of taking whatever we had and turning it into something special. There were times when we didn't have much, but she never let that stop her from feeding her family.
She cooked from scratch. She created meals out of what was available. And she did it all with love.
Years later, I found myself in a situation that felt surprisingly familiar. I had lost my job, and there were times when money was tight. But just like my mother, I knew how to make something out of what I had.
People would come over to my home, and I would cook. They loved the food, and eventually, people started asking me:
"Have you ever thought about selling your food?"
At first, it was just a question. But that question planted a seed. I started thinking about it, and eventually, that seed became TammyTasteBudz.
When my husband and I were sitting down trying to come up with a name for the business, we wanted something that felt personal to us.
My name is Tammy, and my husband has always been called Bud. So we brought the two together.
What started as a name became the beginning of something much bigger. TammyTasteBudz carries my mother's legacy, but it also represents my own journey — the courage to start something when I didn't have much, the creativity to make something out of what I did have, and the belief that something meaningful can grow from the smallest beginning.
Every plate we serve is connected to a legacy of making people feel loved through food.
Every homemade dish is a reminder of where I came from.
And every customer who supports TammyTasteBudz becomes a small part of the story we're continuing to build.
Janean gave me the foundation.
Life gave me the opportunity.
Love gave me the purpose.
And TammyTasteBudz became the legacy.
Good food. Made with love.
That's the promise behind every bowl, plate, and egg roll that leaves this kitchen.
Thank you for supporting a small business!