We sat down with Kathy, our “team-mom,” and most importantly, Kate’s mother. Kathy is the OG! She has helped get this business off the ground from Day 1. She does it all–grocery shopping, making spreadsheets, watching kids, designing our space, running deliveries, and greeting our customers are just a few things we can name off the top of our heads. She works with us throughout the week, leading inventory and recipe sheet creation. She is a whiz at organizing data and absolutely rocks at making macros in our Excel spreadsheets. She is known and loved by our customers, vendors, delivery drivers, and staff. Kathy’s support is all-around and if you know KP, you know her.

Get to know Kathy:

What’s your background? 

I grew up in Illinois.  I had two older brothers and my grandparents, aunts and uncles, and lots of cousins all lived nearby. I was a teacher. I taught Elementary PE and subbed for all grades. 

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What do you value the most?

That’s a big question! Family is really important. Helping the next generation grow. I’m at a grandmother level so now I see the value of what grandkids are learning so that’s important to me. I value life itself. The beauty of life, recognizing the beauty in life, dealing with ups and downs as best as I can, and trying to be as positive with all of that. I’m just trying to see things in a more positive light. I know that I am not there as much as I want to be but while I believe there is a God, a source, that is in charge of everything, we are definitely in charge of our own lives within all of that. Just trying to keep on keeping on.

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What is your life like outside of KP?

People who know me know that I like to garden. I have way too many gardens but I like flowers and I blame that on my grandmother. 

Did you learn from her? 

I learned a little bit. Not as much as when you’re an adult you’re going “Oh, gee I wish I knew tons more” but I did. I helped with the chickens, I helped with the garden a little bit and she would tell me things so that was my first inspiration, playing in the garden with her. She was the love of my life. She’s one of those people in your life that you wish you could talk to at any time.

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Hobbies and interests?

I like to stay active. It’s fun when I get to play pickleball with my daughter. We’ve tried some tennis and we enjoy that too. Just getting outside and doing things, taking a walk or a hike, getting out in the boat, or camping. It’s fun and, again, it’s fun seeing the grandkids do some of those things and being part of them.

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What’s the most memorable thing about working here?

There are two things. One, probably the most important to me, is that I have seen my daughter grow into a pretty good businesswoman. I think that’s exciting and we are getting close to celebrating 10 years and that’s pretty powerful in itself. There is magic here because of the people. We are such a great group. We give and take, we’re there for each other and there is a lot of laughter, and it’s just a good place to be. The second thing for me is right before all of this started, I had this little thought in my head that “Oh, Kathy needs to upgrade her food skills! I need to upgrade what I’m eating and what I’m cooking”. There was all this stuff on HGTV with cooking channels and you can sometimes feel inadequate. I remember having that feeling but about four years ago I was standing in the shop by myself and it sort of popped into my head again. At that point, I didn’t know it was going to be called Kate’s Plate and it was just memorable that this truly helped me upgrade my skills and the things I eat. I have expanded my food palate and what I think about food. 

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What is your favorite KP meal and why?

Oh my goodness! Oh, that is so hard! We often get the salmon meals because we like them and they’re nice and easy. The meatloafs are fun. We enjoy the homestyle type meals. The Chile Lime Chicken, we really like that one. The Salsa Fresca Chicken is really good. I’m learning that I like flavor, so things with some good flavor.  

Did you feel like you did not have flavor before? 

I grew up with certain flavors. With these meals, I have experienced new flavors. They’re bolder and deeper. I really am enjoying that. As far as my favorite meal there is a shrimp meal that we haven’t done in a while. I’m not a shrimp person, for the most part, but I like this meal and love the Mango Quinoa Salad that comes with it. 

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How is it working with your daughter?

Hey, there’s ups and downs but it’s great. I think we do okay, for the most part. I know I step on her toes a little bit more than she steps on mine but, you know, we’re pretty equal. It’s fun, it’s a blessing, and I get to know her a little bit deeper. It’s been a pleasure and a privilege to work with her because I know so many people don’t have that and we’ve made it and I think it’s going to continue so I think we are doing okay.  

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Did you grow up cooking, if so, what did that look like?

I didn’t do a whole lot of cooking, cooking. I did do some baking, I remember doing that as a middle schooler. I was around in the kitchen, I wasn’t afraid of being in there. There was enough that got me going but it was truly a Midwestern, Illinois palate of meat and potatoes and things like that. 

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What is a challenge that you’d like to overcome?

 Keeping to my schedule and not getting distracted.

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What are you looking forward to this year?

I am looking forward to a beautiful garden, I hope it’s as beautiful as last years. I’m also looking forward to bettering certain skills. Whether it’s cooking or baking, something to conquer. I’m 71 getting closer to 72 and there are things that I would like to master. I want to be good at gardening, I want to be good at cooking and baking. There is too much to totally master but one or two things where I can say “Yes. I’m good at that, I can do that”.  Even relationships, just keeping at them because it’s just crazy how life can get in the way. Also keeping up with the body and keeping it going, pushing it more and more because I feel like that is so important.

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Anything else you’d like to share?

I am just so grateful that we are all here together building this great business. We are there for the community and we want more people to find us because it is really nice. It’s nice even for this lady who, you know, I can cook for myself. There are two of us, my husband Jim and I, and we love to have Kate’s Plate meals because it’s such a treat. I open up the refrigerator, pull it out, and get it going and it’s always like a Christmas surprise. You know? “What did I order this week? I don’t know” and I get to pull it out. So that really is a treat. So come on aboard! 

Every single one of our team members brings something unique and valuable to the team. We appreciate every single one of them and are excited to keep giving you more insight into the individuals that make this small business possible.