Today we’d like to introduce you to Chef Tere Alston.
Hi Chef Tere, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I love cooking! After having children and encouraging them to do what they loved my husband encouraged me to follow my own advice. I started researching what careers I could navigate that involved cooking but that I could still be available for my family and was intrigued by the Personal Chef job description… I took an online course and began cooking for clients. Slow but sure my confidence grew and I branched into catering. I felt the need to learn more and enrolled in The Art Institute of Atlanta 10 years later -obtained my AA-Culinary Arts and made the decision to take my business in a new direction-meal prep.
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?
My biggest obstacle was believing I knew enough. Starting as a personal chef with no business background I was just teaching myself along the way. People enjoyed my food and I enjoyed cooking and researching so I never gave up, I believe in always being willing to learn and expand my knowledge so each time I reached a challenge I would do the research and figure out a way to move forward with my business.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My Secret Recipe is a chef-owned small business that offers basically “the gift of time”. My motto is I cook so that you don’t have to. I offer meal prep as well as catering for office and private functions. I offer contactless delivery or pick up. People often ask what my specialty is and my answer is simple “preparing tasty custom menus that people enjoy.”. I am proficient in different cuisines and techniques but enjoy mostly cooking from scratch utilizing minimal processed foods and tweaking recipes to add a lil’ flair. I also enjoy the challenge of creating healthy menu options that don’t skimp on flavor.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Stop procrastinating and do it already! I can’t believe I get to do what I love and actually get paid to do it and have time for my family. I lost a lot of valuable time doubting. Believe in yourself and your product/service… Be professional and go out and market yourself.
Contact Info:
- Email: MSRpersonalchef@gmail.com
- Website: Mysecretrecipepcs.com
- Instagram: Mysecretrecipepcs
Image Credits
Adrienne Edwards
Chandra Jordan
