WS Chronicle

By Busta Brown

Cute rosy cheeks and a big smile were the ingredients Chef Crissy brought into the kitchen where she makes the magic happen.

Crissy Faison is the owner of LeanBack Soul Food Catering Services in Winston-Salem. I asked Faison how she came up with such a catchy name and she looks at me with her infectious smile and of course, I begin to smile as well. It’s impossible not to smile while in her presence. She responds to my question and her delivery is as pleasant as her vibe. “I was watching a cooking show and the lady was talking about how good the food was and then she just leaned back in her chair. At that time, I was trying to come up with a name for my business and I was like – LeanBack Soul Food.”

I thought about all the times my family and I had a scrumptious soul food meal together and afterwards we’d lean back in our chairs, reminiscing on how absolutely delicious it was. So, the company’s name is on point.

Chef Crissy shared another inspiration for starting her catering service. “Soul food brings families together to share life, laughter and love.”

LeanBack Soul Food provides something very unique: Sip and Sauté. Couples will love this. “It’s kind of like paint and sip, but you cook and sip instead. Everyone loves it. I give you some menu items to start with, and if something on the menu is your favorite item, you might get that recipe. It’s something you can do as a couple, friends, your family and coworkers.”

The best part of Sip and Sauté is Chef Crissy brings the food and recipes to you. It’s a great idea for a lady’s night get together. I’m definitely going to give her a call and Sip n Sauté’ with my children and their friends. (We’ll be sipping juice of course.) It’s also a great idea for a birthday party or a weekend getaway to in a cabin. I love this idea!

LeanBack Soul Food Catering Services’ name speaks for itself.  “We do weddings, corporate events, birthday parties, anniversaries –  anytime you need food, call us. We cook the food and you just enjoy it and then ‘lean back.’ We do meal preparation as well. We separate the meals in portions for you, if you’re trying to lose weight. We have something for everybody. Vegetarians and vegan items – you can lean back and eat healthy also. This is a great service if you’re too busy to cook dinner or prepare your lunch for the next day, we’ll take care of that for you.”

Some of the most popular items on the menu are the soul rolls. When Chef Crissy talks about these exclusive items, she lights up. “You gotta have the soul rolls. It’s a nontraditional egg roll. You got Philly cheesesteak roll, chicken barbeque with cabbage, carrots and cheese. We also have the way back roll, which is soul food in a roll.”

My mouth started watering as she shared what’s in the way back roll: “Fried chicken, collard greens, black eyed peas, and all of your soul food favorites in an egg roll. We got the cheeseburger roll and it tastes just like a cheeseburger. We also got the vegetarian and vegan roll. They are all a big hit with our customers.”

LeanBack Soul Food Catering has all your favorite desserts as well: sweet potato pies, peach and apple cobbler, honey bun cake, banana pudding and more.

Chef Crissy earned her bachelors in Journalism and Mass Communications from North Carolina A&T State University, and an associate degree in Business Administration from Wake Tech College. “My Journalism and Mass Communications degree helps with public relations and customer service. And my associate’s in Business Administration helps with writing proposals and running my company.”

Chef Crissy’s husband of five years, Wylie Faison, is an official LeanBack Soul Team member. He’s the life of the party. He loves his wife’s cooking as well.

I asked Chef Crissy, other than verbal, how can she tell her food is delicious. “When everyone is quiet. When you’re eating and it’s good, you’re not talking. But if you hear somebody murmuring, ‘it wasn’t good …’” and she laughed.

Who would she like to cook for? “Beyonce’ and Jay Z, President Obama and Michelle, and Busta Brown.” What an awesome way to end the interview. I left the kitchen the way Chef Crissy walked in – with rosy cheeks and big, bright smile.  

You can contact Chef Crissy at leanbacksoulfood@gmail.com or call 336-497-1844.