New Entrepreneurs: Pig & the Peanut
“Everything you put in your mouth has a story.”
Ricotta Dumplings w. Asparagus, Peas & Seasonal Greens - Caila Byrd, photo: Heather Talbert Photography
Chef Caila Byrd and partner Patrick Phillips could tell you fascinating stories about food, life, and community. While food is their passion, community is the driving force behind their food venture: Pig & the Peanut. Their goal is simple – “To practice empathy through cooking and connect deeply with others through food.”
Caila lived in the Phoenix area for a spell and has spent the last few years learning, cooking, and eating with some of the best chefs in Chicago before bringing her knowledge back to Arizona. She started Pig & the Peanut as a side project while she was working in kitchens in the Windy City. Soon, she was so booked that she decided it needed to become a full-time career. Patrick left his corporate position to partner with Caila on this exciting venture and a completely full 2020 calendar for their business.
As many small business stories go, the pandemic disrupted everything, and all events were cancelled. Caila and Patrick quickly pivoted to serve those in their community who had no access to food or groceries through meal shares and donations. When it was a bit safer to travel, they made their way to Arizona, got all hugged up by family, and realized Phoenix was their new home.
Taking what they know about food and business, it makes sense to continue their work with Pig & the Peanut – the Phoenix version.
Caila and Patrick at Hayden Flour Mills
Phoenix Food or Eating in Phoenix
Currently, they are learning what people want to eat in Arizona and adjusting to the strip mall of diverse foods found in so many pockets of our communities. While preparing their dishes for the Southeast Asian Street Eats, they tried all the Asian foods. Patrick said “you can close your eyes and walk down the street on Dobson and any restaurant will be amazing.”
In Illinois, they were foraging for morel mushrooms and ramps to incorporate into dishes. In Arizona, Caila says she is looking forward to working with mesquite flour, prickly pear, barrel cactus fruit, dates, and tepary beans. The business opportunity they are most excited about is the chance “to utilize ingredients that are indigenous, important, and historically significant to Arizona.”
“It really comes down to the people, it’s always all about the people. Food connects everything, as corny as that sounds, it’s true. The best part about food is who you get to share it with. “
Chef Caila Byrd & Patrick Phillips
The Phoenix Community
Connecting with the Phoenix community is a top priority and Patrick says that Local First Arizona and the Good Food Team has been “a gold mine of resources.” Pig & the Peanut is the newest food entrepreneur business to join the Mesa Community Kitchen and they have been connected with an intricate network of small locally owned businesses that support each other and the community. Caila and Patrick hope there is another round of the Feed Phoenix Initiative as they would really love to be a part of the program and the chance to create meals for unhoused and low-income families.
Other communities they are loving are Tiger Mountain Foundation and Project Roots – connecting with them has been motivating. They know that this is where they are needed and belong and with Caila’s food experience and Patrick’s business expertise, they are bound to be very successful at spreading their good vibes throughout The Valley.
Pig & the Peanut is a multi-level private chef and foodways education and they want to cook for you.
Find Pig & the Peanut
Sign up for their newsletter, enjoy their fun food blog, or schedule an introduction call at www.pigandthepeanut.com.
Find them at Farmers Markets soon, including the Local Eats and Doggie Treats Farmers Market in Scottsdale on July 24.
Keep an eye on their Instagram page @piganthepeanut and read their newsletters to learn more about pop-up chef dinners + events.
Interested in starting your own food venture?
Check out Local First Arizona’s Restaurant Bootcamp! This 6-week program will help you grow your business without the cost and liability in equipping, managing and maintaining your own commercial facility. You’ll learn skills like financing and marketing, food-service purchasing, logistics, and more. The next program starts July 15th!