Our journey to nourishing the community
Discover the heart and soul behind Cooking With Phlava. Learn about our passion for food, our commitment to healthy communities, and the unique journey that led us to serve you.
Our founding story
Cookin with Phlava was founded in March 2024 by partners Brittany Exum and Mokneka Green, two mothers deeply committed to improving their community's access to healthy, delicious meals.
Brittany and Mokneka each have four children and understand firsthand the challenges families face in providing nutritious meals. Their experience as mothers informs their approach to creating accessible and affordable meal solutions.
Inspired by community needs
The inspiration for Cookin with Phlava came from the founders' work with a local youth organization serving underprivileged populations in the BIPOC community. Witnessing the need for nutritious food options, they were determined to make a difference.
At the heart of Cookin with Phlava is Brittany and Mokneka's passion for elevating the importance of natural, soul-nourishing foods. "Eating healthy is very important - we have always been living off nature since we existed. We deserve to eat healthy and safe food that feeds our soul," they affirm.
Nourishing the next generation
Beyond catering, we empower the next generation through our youth culinary programs (ages 8-18) and family cooking classes. We believe in passing down kitchen skills, nutrition knowledge, and the joy of cooking to build healthier communities.
Cooking With Phlava isn't just a catering company—we're a culinary movement dedicated to nourishing our community through exceptional food, education, and sustainability.
Being the change and blueprint for our children
As a Black-owned, women-based business in SE Portland, our identity deeply influences our commitment to food and serving our community. We are driven by the belief that we must be the change and the blueprint for our children, showing them the power of healthy living and community empowerment.