Lenore's Kitchen Catering

The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that “little extra”!

2449 West 79th Street, Chicago, Illinois 60652

For Catering  Call (773-633-7999)

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ABOUT US

Lenore’s kitchen is an off-premise catering company founded by Lillia Key 30 years ago.

Ms. Key started Lenore’s Kitchen by providing food and catering services for friends and family. As a child growing up in the Englewood community, Ms. Key watched her mother, grandmother and great-aunts throw fabulous family parties. After absorbing everything she could about cooking and entertaining from them, Ms. Key found that she had a forte for party foods and planning. While attending college, those cooking skills were fine-tuned by cooking for her neighborhood every night and planning parties for her social club in major downtown hotels.

These events culminated in Ms. Key’s decision to step out on faith with her mother to pursue and obtain city and state licenses for Sanitation and Proper Food Handling through City Colleges. The business was on its way. In two years, the home-based business reached so many milestones that it had to expand to their church’s commercial kitchen. This expansion resulted in a lifelong desire and dream to ultimately provide employment opportunities to the Englewood Community residents.

Ms. Key is the founder of the non-profit organization, The Key Works Association, which offers culinary training, food distribution, and job placement services for underprivileged youth, ex-offenders, and lower-income families.

In early 2000, another dream became a reality. The company moved into its own facility. Lenore’s was open to the public, serving not only soul food but love and respect. Although there was a continuous demand for catering services, in 2004, the decision was made to close the restaurant.

Today Lenore’s Kitchen proudly serves a wide variety of clientele from corporations, government offices, schools, churches, and more across the Chicagoland-Northwest Indiana area. Ms. Key is a member of the International Caterer’s Association and a charter member of the Top Ladies of Distinction Will County Black Diamond Chapter. Ms. Key is also a member of the National Council of Negro Women Chicago Central Section. Lillia is a faithful member of St. John M.B. Church under the leadership of Dr. A. Edward Davis. Jr., where she serves as a Trustee and Co-Chair of the Culinary Ministry.

In 2022, Ms. Key opened the Gallery LKC, an upscale art gallery and event space located on the south side of Chicago.

Ms. Key’s and Lenore’s Kitchen Catering’s motto is, “The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little bit extra!“

Venue/Vendor List

Reception Halls  

  • Gallery LKC  2449 West 79th Street, Chicago, Illinois 60652, Phone 773-498-7466

  • Elks Lodge 4428 Midlothian Turnpike Crestwood Illinois 708-597-7465
  • The Dorchester 1515 E. 154th Street Dolton Illinois 708-712-2256 or  773-841-5560 Contact: Kathy
  • Gloria J. Taylor Banquet Hall 708-331-3857
  • Orland Park Civic Center 708-403-6200
  • Jacobs Well 3450 W. Maple Evergreen Park Illinois 708- 636-5653 Contact Diane
  • Power circle 773-721-7972
  • Heritage plaza 1500 W. 95th street Chicago 773-445-8500 Contact Ms. Kennedy
  • Fountain Hills Golf Club 12601 S. Kedzie Alsip Illinois 60803 708-388-4653
  • Calumet Township – 12633 Ashland    708-388-6606
  • T’Mari 2701 W. 87th Street Chicago, Illinois 708-634-2030
  • Salvation Army Blue Island 2900 W. 127th Street 708-232-0100
  • Chicago Heights Park District 1112 Scott Avenue Chicago Heights IL 708-754-1400
  • Club House at Dolphin Lake 2700 W. 183rd Homewood Il 708-957-0300
  • Sgt Means Barn Olympia Fields20712 Western Ave 708-841-7313
  • Room 43-1041 E. 43rd, 60653, 773.285.2222
  • Little Black Pearl-773.285.1211 Yvette Warren
  • Beverly Art Center-773.445.3838
  • Dusable Museum– 740 East 56th Place  Chicago, IL 60637-1495 (773) 947-0600 Tracey Williams
  • Michelle’s Ball room– 2800 W. Belmont 2800 w. Belmont 773-478-1828
  • Delta House 4525 S. King Drive 773-538 0836
  • American Legion – 422.9513
  • Postal Union Hall – 3850 S. Wabash 773-620-8004  Yolanda Gibson
  • Lake Katherine- 7402 Lake Katherine Dr. Palos Heights IL 708-361-1873
  • The Connection- 4321 S. Cottage Grove 773-952-4062
  • Prince Hall Lodge 809 E. 42nd Place 773-373-2725
  • Bellevue Ministry Center 10715 S. Halsted Chicago, IL 773-568-1300
  • South Holland Community Center 501 E. 170th Street 708-331-2940 Ms. Lorraine
  • The Atrium 4151 W. 183rd street  Country club Hills Il  708-862-2500 or 708-715-3169
  • Ruby’s Brownstones Infinity 10244 S. Vincennes Chicago, Illinois 773-629-6096

Photo Gallery

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Contact Us

Chicago, Illinois 60643

The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that “little extra”!

For Catering  Call (773-633-7999)