Meet Kendall Pipkin | Wood Fired Chef and Caterer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kendall Pipkin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kendall, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I have always enjoyed cooking delicious food for people. I have been in community organizing for large events for 7 years now and do enjoy it. During my second round of chemo (4 time cancer survivor, disabled and not in the clear yet) I decided I was gonna beat it and started making moves to get back into the work field, In my time off fighting cancer I decided I didn’t want to work for someone else again as I have always wanted to own a small business anyway. I wanted to do something unique that wasn’t construction related. I started looking into the feasibility of owning a restaurant and decided to go with a food truck to start. The wood fired cooking process always intrigued me so I decided to go with that. I started studying into it and ended up going to Denver to take training and have a food truck built. I was sitting comfortably on some equity in my home till I took a HELOC to pay for the business, equipment and training. As things started coming together for the business I was also offered the presidents position in a non profit event organization called Short Creek Festivities so I am greatly involved in organizing community events.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
We strive to be the best in mobile wood fired catering. We have a pizza based menu we use when we are operating as a food truck. For catering we can customize menus with items besides pizza (lobster rolls, wings, crème brulee etc.) I have a passion to bring unique foods and prepare them in a unique way for the masses. No one else in my area offers wood fired foods in a mobile catering way and we want to bring only the best to the area. I began the journey of getting here while I was on my second round of chemo and had lots of time on my hands and needed to do something. So I started studying into this style of food prep and was instantly hooked. It was not easy at all getting here but I have overcome alot of challenges in life and just keep pushing on. There are daily challenges that I have to deal with, chemo did a number on my body so I am not able to do much of the physical labor to make the business go but I have a great team around me. Much family and friends to encourage me and some awesome employees who are running it great. Lessons I have learned along the way: its ok to let others do it. They are very capable and very good, just make sure you treat them right and dont ever take anyone for granted. As for my story, I’m 42 years old, 4 time stage 4 cancer survivor finally beating it. I did most of the initial startup work while doing chemo. Disabled with permanent effects of chemo and cancer but always striving to better myself and do things for the future. I escaped a cult at 22 years old and had to learn the real world which I have done quite well.
I want the world to know if I can do this, anyone can once they are willing to commit and work past the excuses mentality.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would take them to Zion, Grand Canyon and Bryce Canyon and of course out to random places on the Arizona Strip. There is hundreds of thousands of acres of great places north of the Grand Canyon. Edge Of The World Brewery in Colorado City is a must. The Ten 45 is a good beer and wine garden. I could provide some delicious eats myself but there are several good options in Colorado City. I would suggest we hang out with the Hildale City mayor and council members plus several more of my legendary friends. They are great people. We would go hike up Water Canyon and the Cannan Cliffs area. There are so many hidden gems in my area of the world that so few people see. Colorado City is not a scary place and is quickly catching up with the times. Don’t let the media scare you away, it’s not what they portray oftentimes. There are many wonderful people here and the past is the past.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
The Fire Within in Denver Colorado, Ajith Dharma, John Hoffman, Brandon Nelson and Tommy Garnick for the industry training and construction of my first truck.

Les Bistline, Hanna Barlow and Mindie Black for keeping the operations going.

My life mate Susie Barlow for seeing me through cancer and helping me get the business up and going

Instagram: Blazin Hearth

Twitter: Blazin Hearth

Facebook: Blazin Hearth

Other: Follow us on social media to se where we are and what we are doing.

Image Credits
Melissa Dadich Kendall Pipkin