Soulful Plates, Family Roots

How a husband-and-wife team turned a love for Cajun soul food into one of Las Vegas’s most heartwarming culinary success stories.

On any given weekend in Las Vegas, the savory aroma of slow-simmered gumbo and creamy mac and cheese might drift from a neighborhood kitchen where laughter, love, and a hint of Louisiana spice fill the air. Inside, Rasheeda and her husband, known affectionately as Chef Q, move in perfect rhythm. He stirs, she plates, and together they create something more than food; it’s a shared memory of family, comfort, and home.

For R&B Catering, this harmony is more than a business model. It’s a love story built from generations of flavor and faith, one that started in the bayous of New Iberia, Louisiana, and found its way to the bright lights of Las Vegas.

From Bayou Dreams to Vegas Hustle

“R&B Catering started with the passion of my husband’s father, Russell Roshan, in the bayou of New Iberia,” Rasheeda explained, her pride unmistakable. “My husband not only has a passion for what he does, but he truly loves it.”

The business was born from that same love, a mix of southern heritage and family tradition. Before Las Vegas, the couple lived in Los Angeles, where Chef Q’s culinary curiosity was fueled by the city’s diversity. “We specialize in Cajun soul food,” Rasheeda said, “but because I was born and raised in Los Angeles, Mexican and Thai food are a part of my background, too.” That blend of influences would later become one of R&B Catering’s signatures: soulful dishes with global flair.

When they decided to move to Las Vegas five years ago, the plan was simple. Find a community, open a brick-and-mortar restaurant, and share their food with new neighbors. But life had other plans.

They arrived in the city just one week before the pandemic hit. Restaurants shuttered overnight, events were canceled, and the dream of a storefront seemed impossible. Yet, like many great stories, theirs took an unexpected turn.

“All the restaurants were closed, and people still wanted good food,” Rasheeda recalled. “So my husband started cooking for families who couldn’t go out or didn’t want to cook. Maybe it was a kid’s birthday or a small celebration. it started small and grew from there.”

Through word of mouth, their little kitchen became a local lifeline. As others slowed down, R&B Catering sped up, bringing comfort food to homes across the city when comfort was what everyone needed most.

Built with Love, Served with Intention

What sets R&B Catering apart isn’t just what’s on the plate; it’s the feeling behind it. “Seeing people happy, bellies full, and loving our food, that’s what drives us,” Rasheeda said. “Sometimes we’re out and someone will say, ‘Hey, I’ve had your food before!’ It’s the best feeling.”

It’s not only about flavor but experience. “You can get good food from a lot of places,” she continued, “but sometimes the customer service is missing. For us, that’s just as important. We want people to feel seen, respected, and cared for.”

That philosophy has earned them loyal fans across the valley, as well as a few culinary trophies along the way. R&B Catering took home titles for “Best Mac and Cheese” and “Best Cookies and Cream Cheesecake” at the Vegas Taste Off, a local competition where residents sample and vote for their favorite eats. For Rasheeda and Chef Q, those wins validated not just their recipes but the heart they put into every meal.

The Hard Lessons Behind the Hustle

Like many family-run businesses, R&B Catering’s success didn’t come without growing pains. Rasheeda laughed softly when asked about what they had to learn the hard way. “Our pricing,” she admitted. “We had to learn not to undervalue ourselves. Yes, we love what we do, but we also need to take care of our family.”

Balancing passion with profit was a lesson in self-respect. “We had to find that middle ground,” she said. “People appreciate our food and service, and we needed to make sure our pricing reflected that value.”

Still, the couple never lost sight of why they started. Every plate served is an extension of their home kitchen, a reminder of the meals shared with family and the father whose legacy inspired it all.

A Family Recipe for Trust

Beyond catering, R&B offers a range of event services, including wedding planning and decorating, adding another layer of warmth to their business. “We’re a family-owned company,” Rasheeda said. “That’s what makes us different. We take everything we do to heart.”

That dedication builds a deep sense of trust with their clients. “We get a lot of out-of-town people,” she explained. “It means a lot when someone sends their hard-earned money to a business they’ve never met in person. To build that trust, even with people who live far away, has been remarkable.”

It’s this authenticity that keeps customers coming back. For many, R&B isn’t just a catering service; it’s a team that treats every event like family.

Finding Joy Beyond the Kitchen

Despite her modesty, Rasheeda’s determination shines through. When asked about how customers find them today, she credits a mix of Google searches and good old-fashioned referrals. “Google has definitely helped us,” she said. “Social media, not as much. I don’t post as often as I should because it feels like a second job.”

Still, the word spreads naturally. Those who’ve tasted R&B’s food tend to talk about it often, loudly, and lovingly. And that organic buzz has kept their kitchen busy year-round.

But Rasheeda’s eyes are on the future. “In the next 6 to 12 months, I would love to open a lounge—a small community lounge in a neighborhood where people can gather and enjoy our food,” she shared. It’s not just a business goal, but a continuation of the community spirit that has defined their story since day one.

Cooking Up Connection

At the heart of R&B Catering lies one simple mission: to feed both bellies and souls. Every dish is made with intention, every interaction handled with care. The couple even offers private tastings, transforming each experience into a moment of connection. “We offer full tastings where we serve you like a restaurant,” Rasheeda said proudly. “So far, we’ve never done a tasting we didn’t book.”

It’s a testament to their food, yes, but also to their warmth, their authenticity, and their ability to make people feel at home, no matter where they’re from.

A Lasting Flavor in the Community

Las Vegas is a city known for flash and spectacle, but it’s businesses like R&B Catering that remind locals what real hospitality tastes like. Their story isn’t about overnight success or viral fame. It’s about two people, one dream, and a shared belief that love, family, and food can still bring people together.

Whether it’s a wedding, a backyard celebration, or a quiet family dinner, R&B Catering shows up with full plates and fuller hearts.

You can follow their journey on Instagram at @randbcatering, on Facebook at R&B Catering with Chef Q, or find them on Google by searching R&B Catering.

This feature is part of The Business View Journal’s Local Spotlight Series — your trusted source for discovering the best small businesses in your community.