OUR STORY
GQooking was birthed in 2021 by Gregory Q. Lee as a unique food concept built around out-of-the-ordinary opportunities for exclusive small social gatherings—where curated dishes are showcased, stories are shared, and unforgettable moments are created around the table. What started as a hobby quickly became a vision. For years, GQ hosted get-togethers in his home, entertaining family and friends with food and beverages, discovering that the real magic wasn’t just what was served—it was the atmosphere: connection, laughter, and the feeling of home.
As the parent company and home of this growing culinary vision, GQooking is the umbrella for multiple food brands—each designed to celebrate flavor, family, and the power of gathering well. Erlene’s Sweet Yeast Rolls is the introductory brand, created as the first expression of that vision and the first product line to be released, with additional brands set to launch in the near future.
Erlene’s began with determination. GQ’s first attempt at yeast rolls was a complete disaster—so hard they could’ve passed for pretzels—but he refused to quit. He kept testing and perfecting until the recipe became what it is today: soft, comforting, and unforgettable. At the heart of the brand is legacy. “I am reminded of how sweet, caring and generous my grandmother was. I miss her so much,” GQ shares. “She was the epitome of a giver.” His grandmother, Erlene, was known across Cincinnati for feeding people with love—especially through her sweet potato pies made for family and for hundreds throughout the city, including pastors and churches. People would stop by her home on Kemper Road to pick up their orders, and that tradition of community, generosity, and excellence became the blueprint for this brand.
With every bite, GQ wants people to savor the taste that comes from testing and perfection in the kitchen—baked from scratch with the same love and care as Grandmommy’s pies. These rolls are made to become a conversation piece at the dinner table, a satisfying addition to breakfast, a compliment to your game-night spread, or the perfect pairing with a healthy salad. And as GQooking continues to expand, this is only the beginning.