Today we’d like to introduce you to Mondrekio Robertson.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My journey started during college at The University of West GA. While studying Computer Science, I realized that I really didn’t want to do that for the rest of my life. I’ve always cooked but just didn’t see it as a career at the time. I then just took a leap of faith and went to culinary school. After graduating from The Art Institute of Atlanta, I hit the culinary scene head first. My first job after graduating was at The Ritz Carlton and then I started my journey on ships for NCL. Later I dabbled in restaurants and also some country clubs to round out my culinary skills. All of that made me comfortable to start my own personal chef business, “Chef Hollywood’s Culinary Creations” and the rest is history. Now I’m focusing on flushing out my business and seeing what works and what doesn’t, but I also still work for yachts and ship companies because I love the sea. My next venture will be turning my podcast, “Cooking Your Way Through Life” into a cookbook and stamping my place in the book world.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Oh man, the road has had obstacles, potholes, and detours for sure. I think some of my biggest struggles have been myself, honestly. I think that we are sometimes told to work hard and things will happen for us. That mentality made me work hard for other people, but when it came to my business, I sometimes didn’t work hard enough. It wasn’t that I wasn’t putting in the time, but I wasn’t focusing on what needed to be done. I think once I realized that I was replaceable at every job but my own business, I changed my mentality.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a personal chef with a personal chef company, “Chef Hollywood’s Culinary Creations”. I specialize in small events, private parties, cooking classes, and restaurant consultations. I’m known for the flavor and memorable experiences that make you feel special no matter the occasion. I think what sets me apart is that I have so much passion for this profession that I want to always share with others.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
I think that finding a mentor is not needed, but it is definitely recommended. I was lucky in finding my mentor in culinary school and it helped me tremendously. I think that what worked for me the most was not only having a mentor but understanding how to network for myself. For me, networking events as well as online connections, have helped me push forward and grow me and my business. I would say at the least start following like-minded people and people you admire, then reach out. I help in any way I can and have found that other people do the same.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://chculinarycreations.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chefhollywood88/
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/chefhollywood88
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/mwlite/in/chculinarycreations
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChefHollywood88
- Other: https://chefhollywood88.onuniverse.com/?fbclid=PAAabzOuhFnN5BTURs1bUSsduiA3yt-hZRaa8_NdzD6Tna_LbDLcKPfYvxta8
