Interview with Sinnidra Taylor
Founder, Friends of Codey's NOLA  & Crazy Waffle Bar
 

A Hub for New Orleans’ Rising Culinary Stars
New Orleans is a city where food, culture, and community unite to create something extraordinary. It’s no surprise that food entrepreneurs flock to the city to launch their culinary ventures. But breaking into the competitive world of New Orleans’ food scene requires more than talent—it requires resources, connections, and support. That’s where Friends of Codey's NOLA, a commissary kitchen and business incubator, comes in. Sinnidra Taylor founded Friends of Codey's NOLA, which provides local food entrepreneurs access to affordable kitchen space, technical assistance, and revenue-generating opportunities. At its core, Codey’s is about helping the city’s culinary artists flourish.

A New Beginning for Food Entrepreneurs
The origins of Friends of Codey's NOLA are tied to the challenges of the pandemic. Like many small business owners, Sinnidra faced the reality of losing her business during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her business, Crazy Waffle Bar, which catered to schools and offices, suddenly found itself without any revenue. As she adjusted to the new circumstances, Sinnidra returned to basics, setting up a pop-up outside her home to continue serving her loyal customers.

Soon, other struggling food entrepreneurs reached out to Sinnidra, looking for ways to keep their businesses alive. "Once I popped up, other small businesses said, ‘Hey, I’m struggling too, can I join you?’" she recalls. This shared experience became the foundation of what would eventually become Friends of Codey's NOLA.

“I started supporting them with revenue-generating opportunities,” Sinnidra explains, “and from there, it snowballed into a nonprofit organization.” Through this personal journey, Sinnidra realized that many small food businesses in New Orleans faced similar challenges—especially when accessing affordable kitchen space and formalizing their operations. Friends of Codey's NOLA was born from this need and has become a vital resource for the city’s rising food entrepreneurs.

A Space for Culinary Artists 
As a commissary kitchen and cooperative, Friends of Codey's NOLA is dedicated to supporting the food industry’s underdogs—those who have honed their craft behind the scenes of big-name restaurants or hustled plates on the side. 

The incubator provides access to subsidized kitchen rentals, strategic partnerships, and programming that helps entrepreneurs overcome the barriers they face in formalizing and growing their businesses. From navigating legal hurdles to accessing marketplaces and catering opportunities, Friends of Codey's NOLA is committed to ensuring every entrepreneur has the resources and support they need to succeed. 

Ms. Barb’s Bakery
One shining example of how Friends of Codey's NOLA supports its members is Ms. Barb’s Bakery, owned by Leslie Barabin. This local business allows customers to create custom cakes by purchasing and decorating cake layers at home. As a member of Friends of Codey's NOLA community, Leslie Barabin has had access to the resources and space she needs to expand her business, turning her passion for baking into a sustainable enterprise. 

Ms. Barb’s Bakery was showcased at a recent happy hour event hosted by the Tulane Innovation Institute. Her event participation highlights the impact of Friends of Codey's NOLA in providing opportunities for food entrepreneurs to scale and reach new audiences.

“She calls herself a ghost baker,” Sinnidra shared. “She bakes the layers and teaches families and professionals how to use her layers to access revenue streams or to use it in a financially savvy way of providing an amazing birthday cake."

Rallying the Community for Continued Growth
Friends of Codey's NOLA is more than just a kitchen rental service—it’s a movement that aims to uplift New Orleans’ food entrepreneurs and ensure the next generation of culinary leaders can thrive. To continue this mission, Friends of Codey's NOLA is actively fundraising to raise $250,000. These funds will be used to complete construction on their building and outfit it with state-of-the-art kitchen equipment. Reducing debt through this fundraising effort will also help keep kitchen rents affordable, ensuring that entrepreneurs can continue to access the space and support they need without financial strain. This building will be home to the types of culinary artists who are able to scale and flourish. Visit codeysnola.com to learn more. 

Visit Ms. Barb’s Bakery for additional information on custom cake layers and desserts. 

Video produced by Kiersten Elbaz ('27) and Carter Williams ('25), Tulane University A.B Freeman School
Story written by Carter Williams