Smoked with Love

Kay Morgan never dreamed of cooking for a living, but her love of entertaining and unexpected life changes were a catalyst for founding her company, Kaybaby’s Smokin’ Fine Foods.

story by MEREDITH MCKINNIE | photos by EMERALD MCINTYRE

At 60 years old, Kay Morgan didn’t plan on being divorced and thrust into the business world. A homemaker for most of her life, Kay had accepted her role as “somebody’s mother and grandmother,” never dreaming God had more for her. Stepping out of her comfort zone became essential. Kay thought, “I can sit down and die or figure out how to put on my big-girl panties and get something done.” Cooking brought joy into her home; it’s what she knew how to do. Her Bloody Mary recipe had always been popular at parties, and Kay slowly started bottling and selling the product out of her home. With smoked cheese being a personal favorite, she created her own recipe, and eventually began smoking rice, crackers, quinoa and even chocolate. New recipe ideas often come in the middle of the night. The last year has been an eye-opening experience, and Kay is committed to following God’s plan for her life.

Growing up, Kay’s parents Thomas and Pat Godfrey loved entertaining, and the family made memories in the kitchen. Pat was president of the Junior League and constantly hosted bridge clubs and social gatherings. Kay remembers her gumbo, étouffée, and turtle soup, “a labor of love.” Kay followed her parents’ example with her own family, making some of the same dishes for her children: Curry, Jennifer and Christopher, and then for her grandchildren: Christian, Addie, Lily, Emme, and Ellie. The kids often ask, “What’s for dinner?” even after they’d moved away from home. Kay enjoys “catering to family,” and is now turning that passion into a business legacy for them.

Her recipes evolved from her own preferences, and she found out other people loved her taste, too. People kept asking for the Bloody Mary’s. Kay’s recipe is spicy, but lighter, like the difference between V8 and water. She’s currently putting a smoke spin on the recipe. A man in Little Rock told Kay, “There’s no man in America who doesn’t like smoked something.” Kay responded, “Good, because I want to sell my food to all those men in America.” The rice, crackers and cheese were born from Kay’s love of smoky flavors. Kay’s cousin Mimi Godfrey Hockman in West Palm Beach, Florida, suggested quinoa, a local favorite for residents there. Kay smokes the quinoa, ships it over and Mimi promotes Kay’s products in her area. Not a very “sound sleeper,” Kay’s marketing plan is to get into all 50 states with the help of social media and people sharing her story and products. Kay randomly smoked the chocolate one day and sold the entire batch within 24 hours. The public response cemented Kay as a smoking enthusiast. She learned where she fit in the market, and she’s capitalizing on it.

Becky Hoychick, creator of Becky’s cookies, believed in Kay’s vision. When she heard the idea, she called Kay right over and walked her friend through the process, serving as a mentor. She recommended books, showed Kay how to get started, who to contact, how to handle graphics, etc. She believed in Kay, knowing if she could do it, other women could, too. Kay has learned age is no limitation. Stepping into the unknown is essential to growth. Always a shy, reserved person, Kay didn’t want to be the face of her product, but God needed her voice out there. Kay realized no one could sell her product like she could. She put herself out there, learning failure is okay and often necessary to keep her motivated. She’s become independent, more determined. Her entire personality and life have changed for the better. Kay now has confidence in herself and her product.

The difference between personal criticism and constructive criticism often blurs, especially for a woman new to the harsh business world. After making contacts through a Cajun food blog, Kay sent samples of her food to people throughout the country. She received her first negative. Someone insisted the smoky flavor was lost in the rice. Stunned, Kay got mad. It felt like a personal attack. But after some thought and self-reflection, Kay used the feedback to improve her recipe. Out of all the kind words she’s received, the honesty stands out, and Kay has learned to use the good and the bad. One Monday morning, with cheese to smoke and little time, she had a flat tire. Admittedly, someone was always around before to handle it for her. She considered calling her son, but that would mean inconveniencing someone else. After a mini panic attack, Kay decided she should handle this, googled a name, and got it done herself. This small step brought a sense of pride. The tough moments, the setbacks jumpstart growth, and Kay needed to grow.

She relies on her faith. A Sunday school teacher at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church for the last 11 years, God was always part of her life. Her grandparents were charter members of St. Paul’s. But in the last decade, when life became uncomfortable for the first time, she’s learned how vital God’s presence is. He stood beside her. She believes this was all his idea; she’s just his vessel. God’s plan is bigger than Kay dreamed, and she is learning to trust his vision for her life.

Divorce is hard. Unlike business, it is personal: it does affect people outside the partnership. With shared children, parents must learn to work together for the betterment of their families. An unlikely partnership emerged from the ashes. Kay’s ex-husband’s fiancé, Cindy Asher, moved to Monroe from Dallas. Kay decided to get to know her because she would be part of their family. At a women’s retreat, the two bonded and began to see each other as part of the same team. The began to spend more time together, and Kay wanted all of her family together, harmoniously. She told her kids, “If something happens to me, she will be your mother. Embrace her.” The children love the family dynamic reated by the two women put on a united front. They all spend Thanksgiving together, and the two women are the spearheads of the family. Kay says, “Divorce is terrible, but out of the ashes comes good things.”
Kaybaby’s has thrived from the twosome working together outside the home as well. Kay calls Cindy her “right hand.” She helps Kay with packaging, goes everywhere with her and thinks visually, an addition Kay needed. Pricing and packaging are all Cindy, and Kay admits she would be lost without her. Addison Fogel, Kay’s son Chris’ girlfriend, is an artist, and came in from Dallas to create the Kaybaby logo. Kay was hesitant to even call the company after herself. Her grandparents and even her grandkids have always called her Kaybaby, and they all insisted the name fit the company too. Her family loves the new Kaybaby foods. They’ve always enjoyed her food, and they’re proud of their mom and grandmother for making a livelihood with her passion.

Over the holidays, Kaybaby’s will be offering gift baskets, promotions and giveaways. Kay is willing to customize baskets. Just give her a price point and product preference, and she will create a basket to your liking. You can reach Kay through her personal Facebook page or the company page, or by email at kgm2358@gmail.com.