Kathaleen Anderson

Connect What is your signature dish?

My signature dish is Braised Oxtails in Coconut Curry Gravy — tender, slow-braised oxtails layered with bold Creole spices and simmered in a rich coconut curry sauce. Served over coconut jasmine rice, the dish represents our signature style: Southern soul infused with Asian flavor. It’s comforting, luxurious, and deeply rooted in storytelling through food.

Who is your culinary inspiration?

My culinary inspiration comes from the women and cultures that shaped me — Southern Black cooking traditions, Creole kitchens, and the bold flavors of Asian cuisine. I’m inspired by chefs like Susur Lee, Marcus Samuelsson, and Mashama Bailey, who tell stories through food and push cultural boundaries through flavor. My cooking is rooted in hospitality, storytelling, and blending cultures in a way that feels elevated, soulful, and authentic.

What would you do with the $25,000?

With $25,000, I would invest in scaling Arigateaux and Fueled by Scotty through equipment, branding, and operational growth. The funding would support a commercial kitchen setup, upgraded catering and meal prep equipment, packaging and marketing materials, content production, and staffing support. I would also use a portion to expand community tastings and pop-up experiences that introduce more people to Creole-Asian fusion cuisine and build long-term sustainability for the brand.