The blessings are still pouring in for The Puddery founder, Janel Prator.

As AFROTECH™ previously told you, Prator reaped the benefits of the Keith Lee effect after her pudding shop, The Puddery, located in Pearland, TX, went viral in a food review shared on his TikTok platform, which currently boasts 17 million followers, on Nov. 23, 2023.

Lee claims Prator had made over 13 posts inviting the foodie guru to her restaurant, which was on the verge of closing. On some days, she recalls only having two customers per day. Lee stated the shop’s strawberry banana pudding was the best he’s had.

His review was seen by millions of customers who flocked to support the store. Today, The Puddery is thriving and has since expanded to its second location.

Prator refers to Lee’s initial visit as “an opportunity of a lifetime for a business like mine,” according to Blavity.

Prator’s blessings are still multiplying. In fact, Keith Lee surprised her with a $50,000 grant in partnership with Toast through its “Little Things” campaign, which is awarding several “extraordinary restaurants,” a news release mentions.

“Like Toast, Keith Lee recognizes that it’s those little things that often set restaurants apart, not big marketing budgets or big-name chefs,” said Kelly Esten, chief marketing officer of Toast, in a news release. “We’re delighted to work with him – and invite our community on social media to do so as well – to recognize some truly special businesses.”

Lee commented:

“Getting a 10 out of 10 in my book is about more than the taste of the food alone – it’s also about the energy when walking in the door, the way food might be packaged, or how the server made me feel when I ordered. I’ve made a career highlighting the way these details come together to make for great meals, and I’m thrilled to work with Toast to celebrate just a few of the people in our big, broad restaurant community who make it happen.”

Prator is one of three restaurateurs to be awarded in this grant cycle. She intends to use the funding to remodel The Puddery’s newest location.