I grew up in a small town with strong women who loved to serve, especially at church. It was a royal charge to serve as an usher or the church greeter, but the prize crowns were awarded to those sisters who knew how to throw down in the kitchen!

Kitchen duty, in my opinion, then and now, was drudgery! But for those who saw sweatin’ over those hot industrial stoves, then standing, sometimes hours, to serve an entire congregation, with a smile, no less, need to be recognized and saluted, with most high honors!

At an age now when I am attending far too many funerals, I, once again, am encountering those same Kitchen Queens who are as devoted as the warrior women I witnessed growing up in that small town. Standing for hours, cooking “real” food, right down to fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, collard greens, and a good, old-fashioned pound cake, they still bless the people in such a big way. Whether preparing for the pastor’s anniversary or repast for grieving family, this good, old-school cuisine is the caviar of our culture and must never change. It speaks to who we are – beautiful, tasteful, and deeply rich folk. It ain’t always money that marks one’s worth.

There will always be a special place in my heart for these Queens. My Aunt Edna held up the mantle in our community as the head cook in charge, never tiring, always carrying on with small talk and laughter as the Kitchen Queen’s got the job done.

So, here’s to that prestigious army of Kitchen Queens, well known in every cohesive Black community across the world.

That gene was planted in women far superior to me. I was good just watching and waiting for my plate full of that Black caviar kinda cuisine. It was inspiring for me to watch them do what they did then and continue to do now with such grace, precision, and commitment.

In the world of instant this, and packaged that, I am so glad that some things have not changed. This Kitchen Queendom should have a well-deserved place in heaven where they can finally rest; just kickin’ off their shoes and struttin’ around heaven all day. God bless each and every one of you; you know who you are.