Today we’d like to introduce you to Shaquille Traywicks.
Hi Shaquille, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Blu Jays Catering was founded by myself and my business partner, Julius Greenlaw, with a simple idea and a passion for bringing people together through great food. With the support and encouragement of our friends, family, and colleagues, what began as selling plates out of a residential kitchen quickly grew into something much bigger.
Through hard work, dedication, and the continued support of our community, we eventually gained access to a commercial kitchen, allowing us to transform a small idea into a growing catering business and a widespread phenomenon.
We take great pride in being a Black-owned business and remain committed to operating with integrity, excellence, and authenticity in every connection we make. From our clients and partners to the communities we serve, we believe every interaction is an opportunity to create something meaningful.
Our mission has remained the same from day one:
“Bringing people together, one meal at a time.”
At Blu Jays Catering, we’re not just serving food—we’re creating experiences, building relationships, and bringing people together around the table.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Our journey has not been easy by any means. We struggled, sacrificed, and experienced far more losses than wins in the early stages of our career. We believed so strongly in our gifts and our vision that we made the bold decision to leave our jobs and focus solely on our talents.
Unfortunately, we began this journey just before the world was brought to a standstill by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Events and engagements that had already been booked were suddenly canceled, leaving us in an incredibly difficult position.
Although our policy clearly stated that deposits were nonrefundable, none of us could have anticipated the magnitude of what was coming. We understood that our clients were hurting, too, and out of compassion, we issued refund after refund. We continued doing so until we had given back everything we had—and eventually, we were completely broke.
Looking back, those moments were some of the hardest we’ve ever faced, but they also shaped the business and the people we are today.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a lead chef and small business owner specializing in American and Italian cuisine, with a culinary style that spans everything from soulful comfort food to handcrafted pastas, pizzas, and creative specialty dishes. While we offer a wide variety of menu options, we are best known for our interactive bar-style dinners, including pasta bars, burger bars, taco bars, samplers, and other unique culinary experiences.
One of my greatest accomplishments is simply still being in business despite the many moments of uncertainty, doubt, and adversity I’ve faced along the way. For much of my adult life, I struggled with believing in myself and questioning whether I was truly capable of achieving the things I dreamed about. Choosing to step outside of that fear, take a chance on myself, and build something of my own completely changed my perspective—not only on life, but more importantly, on who I am and what I am capable of accomplishing.
What I believe sets me apart in this field is my creativity and artistic approach to food. I enjoy taking simple, familiar recipes and transforming them into something unique, flavorful, and memorable. To me, cooking is more than simply preparing a meal—it is an opportunity to create an experience, tell a story, and bring people together.
My journey has taught me that sometimes the biggest ingredient in success isn’t confidence—it’s having the courage to keep going until you finally realize you were capable all along.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
The best advice I can give anyone is to never stop trying. Nothing worth having comes easy, and there will be moments when doubt makes you question whether you’re capable of reaching your goals. But if you continue to put forth the effort and refuse to give up, you may discover a level of happiness that comes simply from believing in yourself and seeing what you’re capable of becoming.
If my journey has taught me anything, it’s that I possess far more gifts and abilities than I ever knew I had. I didn’t discover them by waiting until I felt ready or confident—I discovered them because I tried.
Sometimes, you don’t need to know exactly where the journey will take you. You just have to be willing to take the first step, keep going, and give yourself the opportunity to surprise yourself.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.blujayscatering.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blujayscatering
- Other: https://linktr.ee/blujayscaterin
