05/17/2026
Who’s cooking for you at Thyme & Mana. Personal Meal Prep Solutions?
Over the years, my journey with food has been bigger, louder, and far more unexpected than most people would probably imagine.
Back in 2010, I helped pioneer the food truck industry in Hampton Roads — long before food trucks became what they are today. Since then, food has taken me all over the country through trucks, restaurants, television shows, festivals, and a few unbelievable chapters I never could have planned for.
I was featured on Season 6, Episode 8 of Cupcake Wars (“Ace of Cupcakes”), later opened two award-winning restaurants — one in Boulder, Colorado and one here in Hampton Roads — and eventually found myself filming Shark Tank at the Bellagio during the height of the pandemic.
That experience was surreal.
Season 12, Episode 22.Inside a production bubble.The world shutting down outside the hotel walls.And somehow… I made Mr. Wonderful cry.
But the thing I said during that episode still rings true for me today:
“If I lose it all, I can just start over.”
And honestly… I did.
COVID devastated the restaurant industry, and we were hit hard. We had barely opened before everything changed overnight. What followed was survival mode — pivoting, rebuilding, providing, and learning how to keep going even after the wind gets knocked out of you.
The battle wounds from that season are still very real.
But so is the gratitude.
Because somewhere along the way, after the awards, expansion, pressure, and nonstop pace… I realized something:
I actually love this version of cooking more.
Now, through Thyme & Manna, I cook for a small and intentional client base. I get to slow down enough to breathe again. To be creative. To make meals with care instead of rushing through volume and chaos. To actually know the people I’m feeding.
I’ve climbed the mountain before.
And what I discovered is that I truly love the quieter view — where the pace is slower, the work feels meaningful, and food becomes personal again.
I’ve been the million-dollar chef.I’ve won the awards.I’ve had the restaurants.
And I can honestly tell you…
The view from here is exactly where I want to be.
If you’ve been looking for a way to make your weeks a little easier — with real food, thoughtfully made and ready when you are — there’s always room at the Thyme & Manna table.
[email protected]
Cassandra