For sisters Anne Dunavant and Camille Rogers, food has always been the heartbeat of home. Growing up, their childhood kitchen was a lively gathering place. “We have always loved how food brings people together,” Camille says. She believes it’s not too difficult to make it tasty, and she just wanted to share that with others. Anne feels similarly. “Growing up, I was always in the kitchen, watching my mom or helping her cook dinner. I think I truly learned from osmosis and never being afraid to ask questions.”
That shared heritage and passion for tasty food ultimately led to a small-batch culinary business designed to bring people together in their Memphis and Nashville communities. The name The Little Belle carries a sweet double meaning. Both sisters happen to live in neighborhoods named Belle Meade in their respective cities, and, because "belle" signifies beauty, the name matched their vision perfectly. “Since we sell out of our “little” spots at our homes, The Little Belle seemed fitting. And we didn’t have much time to think about it,” Camille adds.
The spark that launched The Little Belle was pimento cheese. Camille brought some to a friend who suggested that she sell it at a pop-up the following week. Anne designed a logo, they created a simple business model, and it has been all systems go ever since. Camille says, “We knew that we wanted to start a business together. We don’t like that we live in different cities, so this is our way of working together from different places.” Anne adds, “I think the most fun thing about doing this with my sister is that we are in a permanent state of trial and error, tweaking, and bouncing ideas off one another."
Anne finds particular joy in watching neighbors walk over to pick up fresh meals from her fridge, creating a rare sense of walkable community connection within Memphis. "I think we live in a time where we are all craving human connection more than maybe we care to admit, and so what a blessing we have in a neighborhood, a place to convene and feed our families together," she reflects.
For Anne, who gained valuable experience working at Kittie Kyle in Memphis, stepping into the food world felt like a seamless continuation of her passion for helping others. Her background in retail taught her how to connect deeply with people, recognizing that there is always a bigger picture to be addressed beyond clothing needs. Anne has realized that food preparation is similar. "Food meets people where they are. Whether it’s for a celebration, extended family in town or a hard week for a fellow mom, I think my gifting remains consistent. I want to be the person that cares for someone, and food is my favorite avenue to do that," Anne shares.
That thoughtful approach shines through in every batch of food they prepare. Operating out of her home kitchen, Anne balances crafting delicious offerings with the daily joys of family life. Friends often stop by to visit while she cooks, transforming routine prep work into a happy social occasion.
The Little Belle menu features classic staples, like their popular Belle cheese and smoked tuna dip, alongside rotating seasonal creations. A recent instagram menu included sausage breakfast casserole, cinnamon coffee cake, chimichurri grilled chicken and beef tenderloin. Every dish is prepared in small batches using wholesome, high-quality ingredients, keeping the recipes as healthy as possible without additives or artificial preservatives. "I believe that anything in a small batch tastes better, but that's just me," Anne says.
Local pop-up events remain one of Anne’s favorite ways to connect directly with the community, offering samples and sharing new flavors at homes and small businesses around town. Looking ahead, the sisters are constantly testing new recipes, trying to capture the flavor of each season.
Visit @thelittlebellememphis on Instagram to view the menu and message for grab-and-go pickup info. And look for a curated pop-up later this fall!
"I believe that anything in a small batch tastes better, but that's just me,"