Sharing the joy of cooking and a passion for serving others

By Gina Gallagher | Citizens Contributor

Running a business is challenging. Andrea ("Cuppy") White knows that all too well.

The owner and founder of Ypsilanti, Michigan-based, Cuppy’s Best Soulful Bistro, Andrea has had to deal with losing her restaurant to a fire and an unanticipated shutdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

But that hasn’t stopped her and the restaurant she created from serving delicious food to her customers, preparing meals to the underserved, and providing second chances to those who face employment challenges. Cuppy’s is a 2021 Citizens Small Business Community Champion Award winner and the recipient of a $10,000 prize.

Andrea didn't have to travel far to follow her passion of owning a restaurant. Cuppy's is located just down the street from where she was born and raised.

Her customers, though, travel for hundreds of miles just to get a taste of her wholesome food, which includes a diverse menu of BBQ and soul food that includes beef, lamb, chicken, and vegetarian selections.

"We have people who drive from Columbus and Cincinnati, Ohio, which are hours away," she enthuses.

The fact that Andrea ended up with a successful restaurant came as no surprise to her friends and family. Known to them as "Cuppy," a nickname given to her by her grandfather for her small size at birth, Andrea made no secret of her joy for cooking.

Her official start to cooking did, however, come as a surprise.

When she was just 16, her parents were away for the weekend and when they returned, Cuppy surprised them with a meal she had prepared on her own.

“It was the first meal I ever cooked,” she recalls. “I cooked macaroni and cheese, candied yams, and ribs on the grill.”

Her father was impressed — and gave her the highest compliment.

“He said he couldn’t tell the difference between mine and my Mom’s.”

From that point on, Cuppy kept on cooking, helping out her mother and cooking for friends.

Despite her giving nature, when people would ask her for her recipes, she would always decline.

“I told them I can’t tell you, because I may own a restaurant someday."

That someday happened in 2010, when Cuppy's partner, Joseph Jones, suggested they start cooking, selling dinners, and catering small events out of their home on the weekends.

It didn’t take long for word to spread about the homemade selections they served.

As demand grew, they found a storefront and made their restaurant business official: Cuppy’s Home-Style Cooking.

The business was flourishing until Cuppy received a call in the middle of the night with devastating news.

“They told me our building was on fire,” she recalls.

The building was burned to the ground.

“I was heartbroken," she admits. "I wasn’t sure I could go on with the business."

During that time, she relied on two things to sustain her: her strong faith and the incredible loyalty and support of the customers she served.

“I knew how much joy the food brought to people,” Cuppy shared. “They would be upset if we closed.”

Ready to build back the business they started, Joseph found another small storefront that featured a drive-thru and allowed them to offer dine-in, carry-out, and delivery.

“We restarted with no money, but once again, the community came and supported us and we flourished," she said.

The increased demand would eventually prompt Joseph and Cuppy to look into moving to an even larger location; one that they could purchase. It never happened; the purchase fell through.

It would prove to be a blessing in disguise. Because in 2020, Cuppy and business owners everywhere would experience a devastating setback — the COVID-19 pandemic.

"When the pandemic first hit, I kept thinking that we would have to shut down. But the community just started flooding us with orders — the drive-thru was our saving grace," she adds.

Like many companies, Cuppy's had to adjust its service model, shifting business primarily to carryout and delivery.

But thanks to the incredible support and loyalty of the community, the business is more successful than ever.

"We're looking at moving to an even bigger space," Cuppy explains.

When she looks back on everything she has been through with her business, Cuppy is amazed at the good fortune she has had.

It's why she has partnered with several local senior centers to offer low-cost meals to the elderly and has donated food to support community events. She's also joined up with community organizations, such as Parkridge Community Center in Ypsilanti, to provide wholesome meals to underserved youth during summer camp. In addition, she provides jobs at her restaurant to those impacted by alcoholism and drug abuse to give them second chances.

Her passion for giving back is what made her so happy to learn that Cuppy's was selected as a 2021 Citizens Small Business Community Champion Award winner.

"We'll use the funds to build on our meal program for seniors, and to purchase personal protective equipment to safely serve elderly people," she shares.

Cuppy will also partner with more community organizations to help ensure that other youth and adults in need of help are not left behind.

No one can doubt that she'll be successful in these efforts.

"Cuppy" White has proven that no matter what obstacle comes in her way — whether it's a fire or a pandemic — she'll just keep doing what she was born to do: serve others.