2 days Ago By John Becker
TikTok celebrity and food critic Keith Lee has dished out a large portion of generosity to a Pearland dessert shop known for its mouthwatering treats. In a recent visit captured on Instagram, Lee announced a $50,000 donation to 'The Puddery,' a local spot he helped bring to fame with his rave review last year. According to KHOU, the funds, provided in partnership with restaurant platform Toast, will be used to support the establishment's move to a new, more expansive location.
A little over a year ago, 'The Puddery' owner Janel Prator faced the daunting possibility of shutting down her store amidst economic hardships. However, after tagging Lee hundreds of times, seeking his review, Lee later proclaimed that The Puddery had "the best banana pudding" he ever tasted, an endorsement that dramatically boosted foot traffic and business for Prator, as reported by Fox26Houston. In a heartfelt response to his latest act, Prator was quoted saying, "My customers mean everything to me, that's what I do it for, so thank you to the community.
Thank you to Keith Lee for seeing my vision," in an interview obtained by KHOU. Her vision includes a larger storefront with a sit-down area and the addition of a food truck to the enterprise.This act of culinary camaraderie isn't stopping with The Puddery.
Lee and Toast look to keep the generosity flowing by giving away another $50,000 to a different restaurant. As per Fox26Houston, social media users are encouraged to tag their favorite food institutions with the hashtags "#itsthelittlethings" and "#ToastContest" for a chance to win, while the nominator stands to gain $25,000 if their pick wins.The Puddery's expansion plans seem to now firmly be on the menu, with intentions to have the food truck operational by April and the new storefront ready by May, which coincides with Prator's birthday.
In an emotional acknowledgment, Prator expressed her gratitude, stating, "Thank you soooooooo much for all you’ve done for me, my business and my family. This was a hugggggggge surprise. I appreciate it so much and plan to do great things with the gift you all have given us," in a comment mentioned by Fox26Houston.
Lee's colorful entrance may have been unannounced, but it certainly was timely, providing the recipe for success that The Puddery needed to substantially grow its brand..
