Hidden Gems: Meet Kenneth Coates of It’s Time 2 Eat, LLC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kenneth Coates.

Hi Kenneth, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Back in 2017, my brother Aundre Sanders and I started the slogan “It’s Time.” It began with a few shirts and a simple message to motivate people to get up and chase their purpose. When Aundre passed in 2018, those words hit different. Every time I heard “It’s Time,” I thought about him. In 2022, I brought that message back to life as It’s Time 2 Eat, LLC, a catering business dedicated to his memory and built on everything he stood for faith, family, and perseverance.

Before cooking, basketball was my first passion. I earned a scholarship out of high school and later played professionally. That experience taught me discipline, leadership, and how to push through adversity the same mindset I bring to the kitchen every day.

What started with me cooking small plates and selling dinners out of my kitchen has grown into a full catering and pop-up business serving customers all across the nation. I’ve catered weddings, private dinners, corporate events, and community festivals. I’ve fed hundreds of people through events like Pitch Fest, Corewell Health’s “Breaking Bread” classes, and local pop-ups that bring people together through food and faith.

I didn’t just want to cook I wanted to create a movement. A space where good food meets good energy, where people can feel love and community in every bite. Everything I do from my Gumbo Greens to my Stuffed Salmon is about more than a plate. It’s about building legacy, connecting people, and proving that no matter where you come from, it’s your time.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Oh it hasn’t been a smooth road, but it’s been a real one. When I started It’s Time 2 Eat back in 2022, I was selling plates for $13. Today, those same plates go for $30. I started catering small events for $500, and now I’m doing full catering jobs for $5,000 and up. That’s growth that came from consistency, faith, and being willing to learn every part of this business.

In the beginning, I didn’t know how to keep food warm in chafers or set up a proper catering line. I didn’t have a business truck, and I didn’t know anything about recording or promoting my food. Today, I know how to run a full setup from start to finish, I own my own truck for transportation and travel, and I edit my own recap videos to showcase my events.

I overcame all that by asking questions, researching, and staying curious. I studied YouTube, TikTok, books, and real catering resources until I understood how to do it the right way. I made it a goal to be around people who were doing what I wanted to do or who had already done it and I learned from them.

I also put in heavy work on social media Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Pinterest building my brand and connecting with people all across the nation. Every step wasn’t easy, but I never stopped learning or showing up. The struggles built the foundation for what I’m doing now, and I wouldn’t trade the journey for anything.

We’ve been impressed with It’s Time 2 Eat, LLC, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
It’s Time 2 Eat, LLC is more than a catering company it’s a movement built on purpose, flavor, and community. We specialize in authentic soul food with bold flavor and real love behind it. Every plate tells a story, and every meal feels like family.

We cater weddings, private dinners, corporate events, festivals, and community gatherings all across the nation. Every booking includes my signature It’s Time Punch, a strawberry-pineapple blend that people can’t stop talking about and it comes free with every meal.

I’m best known for my Gumbo Greens, packed with crab meat, shrimp, smoked sausage, and southern greens served over rice that really sets it off. My cornbread, which people say tastes like pound cake, and my Stuffed Salmon, Oxtails, Lamb Chops, and 5-Cheese Macaroni have become fan favorites that keep customers coming back.

It’s Time 2 Eat offers a full range of catering and food services from drop-off catering and buffet setups to plated dinners, pop-ups, and private chef experiences. Each event includes setup, serving, and cleanup, with customized menus and tastings for weddings and corporate clients. Whether it’s an intimate dinner or a large celebration, every detail is handled with professionalism and pride.

Beyond the kitchen, I focus on giving back feeding families during the holidays, supporting community events, and showing the youth that you can build something out of nothing with faith, grind, and belief in yourself.

What sets my brand apart is the energy behind it. It’s Time 2 Eat isn’t just about food it’s about purpose, connection, and legacy. I’m proud of how far the brand has come and even prouder of what it represents: love, growth, and o

Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
I just want people to know that anything is possible when you believe in yourself and put the work in. I started this business with nothing but a vision, faith, and a few pans and now I’m serving people all across the nation. I began in small Michigan cities like Benton Harbor, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, and Detroit, and now I’m catering in larger places like Orlando, Florida; Louisville, Kentucky; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and several cities throughout Indiana and Michigan.

It’s Time 2 Eat is built on faith, consistency, and grind. Every day I wake up early to get my daughter ready for school before heading to my part-time job as a cook at Corewell Health Hospital. I work second shift there, On weekends and most mornings before work, I’m putting in hours on my business creating content, promoting on social media, testing new recipes, and researching better equipment. I also make time to check on my daughters in school and stay connected with my son who lives in Florida. My days are full, but time is never wasted. The grind never stops sun up to sun down, I’m working.

Looking ahead, my goal is to expand It’s Time 2 Eat into one of the best food and hospitality venues in America a place that captures real soul food, good energy, and a vibe people never forget. I’m focused on building a strong team and hitting even more cities harder, spreading my food and my message everywhere I go.

I wanted this life, I worked for it, and I’m just getting started. No matter how far I go, my mission stays the same: feed people with love, motivate through my story, and keep reminding everyone it’s your time.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itstime2eatllc?igsh=ajZoemx5MG4zODNm&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Fu7pLJEBW/?mibextid=wwXIfr
• LinkedIn: https://linktr.ee/ChefMrItsTime?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=c5cd20e7-e8ba-4d61-acc8-867c659d8214