Today we’d like to introduce you to Keon Atwater.
Keon, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Hello and thank you so much for the opportunity. My name is Chef Keon, I pretty much just started offering my culinary services over the last two years. I finally decided to take the skills and experience I’ve obtained and started offering my services as a Personal Chef. I’ve been cooking since about age 12, I remember preparing meals for my younger sister while my mother would be working. I’ve always been intrigued by the food I would eat, so it only made sense for me to get in the kitchen and figure out what to do. Oddly enough, it’s not like I grew up in a household where I necessarily learned to cook from a family member. If anything, I’ve always been very observant, trying to ease my way in the kitchen anywhere I would go.
Food was where I found my happiness, creating and eating it lol. I’ve always wanted to experience a variety of cuisines, so going to culinary school really did it for me. Growing up in Queen, NY, while being raised by a single mother of two, never really afforded me the luxury of eating out at restaurants often. This means that I lacked exposure to the broad range of cuisines that existed. Ultimately I followed my calling and had the opportunity to be exposed to many cuisines once attending the Culinary program at The Art Institute of Atlanta. Here is where I had the opportunity to learn many different culinary skills and build my knowledge. Honestly, Culinary school was a great experience but it was working in the restaurant industry after graduating that really shifted my perspective in what it was I wanted to do. As thrilling as working in a restaurant is, I’ve found myself drawn to the more intimate side of the culinary industry.
For me there is nothing more satisfying than preparing a concept, a menu and a meal for a particular person in mind and hearing their joy as they indulge in your creation. That’s pretty much what I stand by, a specially tailored experience for each and every client that makes them feel as unique as they are. I want people who experience this journey with me to be so elated and invested in every moment because they will know it was customized with them in mind. This is included in every service I offer, from personal chef dinners, catering, events, meal planning and meal preparation as well as culinary classes. I take the time to really get to know my customer’s needs so that way I can meet them to the best of my ability. I take the time because they are worth the time. So for the most part, I guess you can say I got to where I am by pure belief, I took a leap of faith in the passion that drives me. I decided that if I am to do anything, then best believe I will do it!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road. Although my love for food and cooking runs deep, there’s been great discouragement along the way. After graduating culinary school, I was unsure about what I wanted to do for a while but after experiencing other careers in different fields, I realized that the only thing worth the amount of patience I was gaining was going after my true passion. Once I finally decided to pursue my goal of becoming a Personal Chef, I began to doubt myself. I questioned if I had all the skills and knowledge required to offer my services to others, all while working in the restaurant industry as I continued to learn. I began to wonder if I should wait until I had what it takes when suddenly, I was provided an opportunity to collaborate with another Chef to do a Pop-up restaurant event in Atlanta. It was at this moment when I realized I need not doubt my ability nor potential. This provided me the opportunity to expose people to my food and get amazing feedback, which solidified the idea that I should be doing this. Even times when business may be slow and no one seems to know my name or what I offer, I feel humbled by the thought that someone will soon have a chance to experience my food.
Alright – so let’s talk business. What else should we know about you and your career so far?
LET’S START EATING WITH INTENTION! “Ultimately, the world just needs to see that eating healthy doesn’t mean compromising over flavor and soul.” Are you looking for culinary services that align with your lifestyle? Does your diet lack soul?
Allow me to take you on a culinary journey. Providing tasty food that isn’t just great for the body, but nourishing to the soul. Nurture your temple and allow me to guide you on your journey in the kitchen. Whether you are just hungry or looking for a Personal Chef.
Chef Keon offers: Pop Up’s, Catering, Meal Planning, Meal Prepping, Dinner’s, Date Nights, Classes.
In 2018, I decided to start venturing out on my own in search of great tasting food that motivates a healthier lifestyle on a budget. Most of us usually hear it cost to eat healthier, right? So, this became my motivation. I have hosted various Pop-Up Restaurants, Catering and Personal chef events that feature my signature plant-based/vegan dishes.
My all-time favorite experience was the first pop up a restaurant I did At Buenos Dias Cafe in Atlanta. It was an amazing collaboration with The Tiny Cake House. Ultimately, my mission is to gain the interest of “meat eaters” who believe they could never go meatless. I want to show people who love to eat great food that they can eat the same meals just with healthier alternatives. Naturally, I am just a giving spirit and I want to share my love/passion for food and health with others.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
For me personally, to be successful would imply I am reaching all of my goals for personal growth and aiming to be the best version of myself on a daily. This is my goal every day. I feel successful as long as I am accomplishing this. Business-wise, as a Chef, if I can continue to make stomachs happy, then I am winning. So overall, I would say the greatest quality necessary for success would be determination and drive. These are essential qualities for me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://msha.ke/chefkeon
- Email: chefkeon@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/chefkeon?igshid=xvacje6ng8r3
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/ChefKeon/
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