Cooking Up a Dream: How Necie and Alvin Johnson Are Growing Sweet Anoni’s with NOCHI’s Support

Necie and Alvin Johnson’s journey into the culinary world began with a simple idea: follow a passion and see where it leads. Today, that passion is Sweet Anoni’s, a growing catering business fueled by heart, hustle, and help from NOCHI.

Necie, the founder and visionary behind Sweet Anoni’s, came to NOCHI to turn her long-held dream of becoming a chef into something tangible. “I wanted to fulfill my passion,” she said. “I’d been cooking for years, but I knew there were different techniques, flavors, and traditions from around the world that I hadn’t explored yet.” For her, the experience is about much more than the food, it’s about building something that lasts.

Her husband, Alvin (who goes by AJ), didn’t originally plan to become a chef. “I was a barber,” he laughs. “I was just tagging along. But now? I’m not a barber anymore. I’m a chef.” His goal was confidence in the kitchen and that’s exactly what he’s gained.

Together, they’ve found their stride at NOCHI, where they’re sharpening their skills and preparing to take Sweet Anoni’s to the next level. Their favorite part of the program? “Meeting people from all walks of life,” Necie says. “Everyone has a different background, but we’re all here because we love food.” For AJ, it’s been about broadening his palate and trying new dishes: “Things I never thought I’d eat like foie gras or cooking a whole fish - that was quite an experience.”

Of course, it hasn’t always been easy. Necie admits that she sometimes gets in her own head: “I have to remind myself to breathe, to recenter.”

As they look ahead, their goals are crystal clear. Necie dreams of using her business to train others, creating opportunities for aspiring chefs the way NOCHI has done for her. AJ’s focused on building their brand and growing Sweet Anoni’s reach.

With NOCHI’s support, this dynamic duo isn’t just cooking; they’re building community, creating careers, and dishing out love by the plateful. Sweet Anoni’s is more than a business. It’s a family affair, and it’s just getting started.