Richmond, Ind. has witnessed the remarkable story of Charles Henderson, who has been deeply involved in the restaurant industry since the tender age of 17. Growing up as the youngest among nine children, including foster siblings, Henderson found his passion in cooking while others were out playing. "I was the baby of the family and couldn't go anywhere else. Cooking, music, and art became my escape," he shared. However, his interests shifted over time, and he started his career as a bus boy at Shoney's 35 years ago. Through hard work and dedication, he climbed the ladder to become a line cook and later the head chef at Forest Hills Country Club and The Cordial Cork.

Fast Forward to Own Business with Wife Courtney

After working at a five-star hotel in Cincinnati for seven years and in Finley, Ohio for two years, Henderson now owns his own business with Courtney. Their idea of Soul Authentic had been brewing in his mind for 12 years. "Being black and having soul inspired Soul Authentic. We aim to put a unique twist on everyday items," Henderson explained. Courtney met Charles in 2018 while working as a CNA and he was in dietary. Two years later, they got married, and she supported his dream of owning a business. "She's been phenomenal. Stepping into this new world was a big step for her, but she's embracing it wholeheartedly," Henderson said.

Soul Food with a 'French Creole Infusion'

Soul Authentic, located at 1201 S. 13th St., officially opened on Oct. 30 to the delight of the city's residents. A soft opening a week before sold out quickly as people showed great interest. The cuisine at Soul Authentic is a unique blend of soul food and French Creole. "On our menu, we offer soul food with a French Creole twist. We strive to bring something new to Richmond that they've never seen before," Henderson said. The menu has been rotated a few times to meet customer preferences, featuring entrees like pulled pork sandwiches, catfish, wings, and smothered pork chops, along with sides like fries, collard greens, hush puppies, and corn bread. Some recipes, like the collard greens, were inspired by a sibling's recipe with his personal touch.Since Charles does all the cooking, Soul Authentic is closed on Sundays through Tuesdays to allow for truck deliveries on Mondays. Tuesdays are dedicated to prep work as well, as he starts at 5 o'clock every morning, making everything from scratch. He believes that people need to get out of their comfort zone and try his cuisine. "You might be surprised and end up liking it," he said.

Finding the Right Building for Soul Authentic

Charles had the idea of Soul Authentic for 12 years, and six of those years were spent searching for the perfect building in Richmond. "We looked at many places that were either too expensive or needed too much renovation. It was a challenging process," he said. Finally, they discovered the South 13th Street location, which was previously Kathy's Corner Kitchen and Carol's Corner Kitchen. Both of those businesses didn't last long. "We were considering a place in the east, but the rent was too high. This place is absolutely perfect," Charles said. The southeast part of Richmond has limited food options, and residents have noticed the absence. "People are grateful to have something close by. It's a big compliment for us," Courtney said. They have also received customers from as far as Modoc and Dayton, Ohio, which is nearly an hour away.

No Need for Food Truck or Extra Help

Customers have often asked Charles why he didn't get a food truck instead of a building. "This is my passion. I don't do this for fun. In winter, a food truck would be idle. I want a place where people can come all year round," he replied. Charles also didn't want employees. "As a boss, I often get missed calls because people don't want to work. It's been my experience," he said. Courtney added that with just Charles in the kitchen and her handling the front of the house (currently carryout only), the business is running relatively smoothly. "We're not in it for the money. We just love to cook," Charles said.Evan Weaver is a news and sports reporter at The Palladium-Item. Contact him on X (@evan_weaver7) or email at eweaver@gannett.com.