The Soul Food Market: A little taste of Heaven ...Meet the Bakers

The Soul Food Market Bakers:    --- Diane Oberkrom, Founder ---

I'm Diane. I love life.
dinnerFor my recent birthday, I invited seven friends and my 82 year old parents over and made an "experimental" dinner. I made the recipes that I've been tearing out of magazines for a few months and haven't tried. We had lobster macaroni and cheese made with Gruyere cheese, salmon martinis, mini Bar-B-Q meat loaves, garlic mashed potatoes with fresh sautéed spinach, fresh steamed green beans with salt, pepper and garlic and had six dessert offerings that were being previewed for my Soul Food menu.

Then, not to break tradition, my mom got to tell the famous story of my birth ... on the way to the hospital ... during a blizzard in St. Louis ... then turning around and going home. That's right, I wasn't born in a hospital, (yes. I do have a birth certificate.)

Mrs Piggle-WigglePeople that inspire me are Jan Karon, Barbara Bush, my friend Robin and Mrs. Piggle Wiggle. In 1964, my 1st grade teacher, Mrs. Hosey, read a book about Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle (Author: Betty MacDonald) to my class. I can remember telling myself that I want to grow up to be just like Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle. "Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle lives in an upside-down house and smells like cookies."

One of my dreams is to be on "Oprah". My cousin, Julie Andrews (nope, not the one that can sing) and I talk everyday and regularly chat about what we're going to wear when we're on Oprah, and what we'll eat when we have dinner at Oprah's house, and where we'll go when we vacation with Oprah. When I finally meet her, I won't be nervous because I will have lived the experience a thousand times in my head.

Love cookiesI was married for 1 day short of 25 years before becoming a widow in 2005. That event triggered an avalanche of change in my life. For those of you who have lost a family member through death or divorce can relate to this realignment of priorities. Suddenly, making money isn't as important as pursuing my dreams and doing only the things that I believe in passionately. At least, that's what has happened in my life.

I have liked every job I've ever had, so I didn't leave the Federal Home Loan Bank - Atlanta because I wanted to make more money or because I hated my boss. I LOVED working there. I left to pursue my dreams of expanding God's kingdom using my own style of guerilla warfare ... hospitality ... giving people virtual hugs through seeing, smelling, tasting and reading beauty, joy and God's Word.

··· That's how Soul Food, Inc. was born in 2006 ···

Speaking of hospitality, my late husband, Phil, found the house that Augie and I currently live in. It is huge. He and I loved entertaining and having overnight guests. We always told our guests to stay as long as they wanted. We once had someone stay for six months! Our house still welcomes lots of guests.

I firmly believe in Hebrews 13:1-4, "Stay on good terms with each other, held together by love. Be ready with a meal or a bed when it's needed. Why, some have extended hospitality to angels without ever knowing it!"

We'll chat more later. Have a look around our electronic house.