Student-owned soul food offers fresh new taste at Penn State

From accessories to graphic design to cuisine, Mariam Kenneth has turned her hobbies into three businesses.

Kenneth, a third-year studying human development and family studies, started her businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic and eventually shifted her focus to cooking soul food due to her love for cooking.

“It’s really hard to find a meal that reminds you of home, or your mom’s cooking,” Kenneth said. “We all know that State College has (the) bare minimum when it comes to food.”

While she primarily makes soul food, she wants to expand to other cuisines like Caribbean and African food. Her platters and catering, which are available for pick up or delivery, can be found on her Instagram page, @mk.usine.

On her page, Kenneth shares polls on what platters of the week her customers prefer, giving it more of a personalized feel.

“The best moment was when I first started my sales because those reviews came in quick — like a guy, he ordered a lamb alfredo platter, and he was literally crying while eating it,” Kenneth said.

Running to cook for comfort, Kenneth said she plans to complete her entrepreneurial certificate at Penn State to perfect her craft.

“My best advice would be just have faith in yourself,” Kenneth said. “Don’t have so many doubts that hold you back. Have faith.”

Jaiden Hope enjoys having the soul food that reminds him of his community back home in Philadelphia.

“It’s hard to get food that caters to where you’re from,” Hope, a third-year studying broadcast journalism, said.

Mk.usine is Hope’s go-to, and his favorite dish is her famous mac and cheese. He added that he tries to buy a platter anytime he wants a home-cooked meal.

“I gotta get some — I don’t care how much it costs,” Hope said. “Just take my money, take my card.”

Hope paid $23 one time, and he said his platter was so full he couldn’t close the container.

“You could tell that the chef, Mariam, likes doing what she does,” Hope said. “It’s a very passionate type of thing. Everything feels normal and sweet.”

Mk.usine is one of the few soul food and Caribbean options in State College, Hope said.

Ashton Bent has ordered delivery and pick-up and said it never fails.

“It’s a vibe,” Bent, a third-year studying supply chain and information systems, said. “It’s different from your regular day-to-day. It’s somewhat special.”

When Bent posts a picture of Kenneth’s food, his friends pester him on where and how he got the food, he said.

“If you have that desire, you should definitely go out and start something, because there’s definitely a market for it,” Bent said.

Bent said he struggles with cooking consistently and making large portions on his own, but Mk.usine helps fill in that gap.

“I never eat it all at once,” he said. “I always split it up into at least two or three meals. You gotta stretch it. It doesn’t come around as often as other things do.”

Kenneth will set up a menu with the price and inform her customers when to contact her and when the orders will be ready. She’s transparent, Bent added.

“It shows you that anyone could do it if you really put your mind to it,” Bent said.

MORE NEWS CONTENT