NASHVILLE, Tenn. —A heavy cloud lingers over Nashville today as the community mourns the heartbreaking loss of LaQuita Shantel Cole—known affectionately by many as “Quita.” A daughter of this city, a gifted chef, a fierce dreamer, and the heart behind QC Kitchen, Quita passed away unexpectedly in her sleep on April 25, 2025, at just 40 years old.
Born and raised in Nashville, Quita carried the soul of her city in everything she did. From the early days of cooking for her younger brothers while her mother worked to building a thriving soul food haven on Peabody Street, Quita’s journey was one of grit, purpose, and unshakable love—for her family, for her roots, and for her community.
Since opening QC Kitchen in 2022, she did more than serve meals—she served connection. Her crispy wings, smoky greens, golden cornbread, and soulful sides weren’t just food—they were comfort, stories, and memories plated with love. Locals flocked to her table not only for the taste but for the warmth that only Quita could serve.
Those who knew her personally speak of a woman who never stopped moving, never stopped giving. Often seen working seven days a week, Quita pushed through exhaustion to fulfill her vision, quietly bearing the weight of her own sacrifices. In the weeks before her passing, loved ones recall her softly admitting, “Quita needs rest.” That rest, tragically, came far too soon.
While the exact cause of death remains unknown, her sudden passing has cast a sobering light on the toll of overwork and the pressure to succeed, especially among entrepreneurs of color. Her story has already stirred important conversations around rest, balance, and the hidden cost of perseverance in the pursuit of dreams.
Quita was more than a chef. She was a mentor, a sister, a daughter, a friend. She was hope walking in an apron—proof that even the most humble beginnings can lead to something beautiful. She gave all she had, and more, until the very end.
Nashville will never forget LaQuita Cole. Her legacy lives on in every recipe, every inspired dreamer she mentored, and every heart she touched.
May Quita finally have the rest she so richly deserves.
And may her name never be forgotten.
