Our Story
What feeds your soul?
Established since 2012, Justine-Thyme Catering (JTC) has been bringing soulful flavors and heartfelt hospitality to tables all across the DMV, Southern VA, and traveling across state lines for the people! JTC is known for turning everyday moments into unforgettable celebrations, from cozy private dinners to large weddings and polished corporate gatherings. Serving as many as 2,500 on the National Mall in Washington, DC.
Our food is Southern at heart with Alabama & Mississippi roots. Using staples from Chef Justine’s own Grandmother’s. Warm, comforting, and rich with tradition—yet always kissed with a fresh, creative twist. Every dish carries a story, a memory, and A LOT of love. Inviting folks to slow down, savor the flavor, and feel right at home.
Driven by a mission to provide hospitality over mere service, we strive to nourish both body and community through partnerships, sponsorships, and support for youth programs and local organizations. JTC aims to be a true culinary cornerstone. Our vision goes beyond food, building a brand that reflects values of integrity, innovation, and genuine connection—where every bite tells a story of culture, nostalgia, and care. “I envision a place where customers not only enjoy exceptional food, but also feel aligned with the values that define us
—creating lasting connections and memories through our food and service.”
MEET THE CHEF
Owner & Executive Chef Olivia “Justine”
Chef Justine is a force in the kitchen—a woman whose food tells a story of heritage, heart, and fearless creativity. Raised in Northern Virginia, Chef Justine grew up with one foot in the soulful South of Alabama, where every summer she soaked in the flavors, traditions, and kitchen wisdom of her grandmothers. It was there, surrounded by the aroma of slow-simmered turnip greens, biscuit-topped peach pies, and hand-crafted dishes, that her love for cooking was born.
From childhood, Chef Justine took every opportunity to be side-by-side in the kitchen with her parents. Her Father, a natural culinary magician, and her Mother, better known as the “Chicken and Dumpling Queen,” she discovered that food was more than nourishment—it was connection, memory, stories, and love. Today, she shares those same cherished traditions with her own daughter, carrying forward a legacy of soulful, woman-strong cooking.
A proud graduate of Stratford University with a degree in Culinary Arts & Hotel & Restaurant Management, Chef Justine transformed what began as a home-based carryout service into Justine-Thyme Catering, LLC, a thriving business that brings bold Southern flavors to tables across the country. With her signature twist on classic dishes, she delivers the perfect balance of comfort and sophistication—where every bite tastes like home, yet surprises like a new adventure.
Known as a sorcerer of stocks, sauces, and spice, Chef Justine creates unforgettable favorites like her legendary four-cheese mac & cheese, Cajun shrimp and grits, collard greens with smoked turkey, and decadent three-cookie-custard-style banana pudding. Whether catering grand celebrations or curating intimate private dinners, she infuses every dish with the same mission: to feed not just the body, but the soul.
Her guiding phrase, “What feeds your soul?”, is more than a question—it’s a way of life. For Chef Justine, cooking isn’t just a career; it’s a calling. Each meal she serves is a celebration of passion, tradition, and the belief that doing what you love is the ultimate recipe for fulfillment.