Today we’d like to introduce you to Charles Isreal.
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?
Hey, I’m chef tank originally from Chicago , IL.
I started cooking when I was just a kid, probably about 12. I used to love watching cooking shows and making my own little made up recipes. I used to just cook for my siblings .. but as I got older and more experienced… I would cook for friends, and family at gatherings etc.
One day I got fired from my job while I was 19 and I decided to sell plates to make some extra money. It was very successful and I made more money in 6 hours that I was making every 2 weeks at my job.
At that moment I decided to quit my job and pursue cooking. I would sell plates weekly, go around to different establishments (barbershops, boys and girls club, dr office etc) to promote my food. Eventually people started asking me to cater or come cook for them personally.
After a couple of years doing this .. I decided to get an LLC and take things a little more serious .. creating “Tanks Taste LLC)
I went from selling plates to being one of the most known private chefs and caterers in IL.
At 27 I decided to move me to Atlanta, Ga to pursue bigger clients and more opportunities being there for a year .. I was able to cook for one of the biggest influencers around right now (Ari fletcher).
After this major collab.. multiple celebrities, influencers, and clients started reaching out making my business 10x more acknowledged than it was before.
Since then I have made my way though Atlanta, serving some of the most beautiful and tastiest dishes.
I created an extension of my business called “the naked chef experience) where you can hire models and myself to come cook shirtless and provide and mind blowing experience. We offer game nights, sip and paints, movie night packages etc.
it has also been very successful.
I am currently looking for the next city to take over and eventually open up my own restaurant.
Alright, 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 been easy at all.. one of my main challenges has been doing everything by myself. YOU NEED A TEAM LBS
the money is good doing it alone but u want everything to be perfect and u don’t wanna over work or stress yourself out..
Catering isn’t easy, especially when you do production set ups. So get a team guys lol
We’ve been impressed with Tanks Taste , but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I was mostly known for soul food and hibachi,
But I’ve mastered the ability to cook and create anything. I put my own twist and creativity in it.
Cooking is my passion, and I think that’s what separates me from a lot of chefs.
Some people do it because the money is good, some people just don’t mind cooking, I simply LOVE AND ADORE IT.
I actually care..
I care how it tastes , how it looks, how the client feels. I want every customer to feel like this meal was made specifically for their pallet. I’m most proud of the fact that I’ve gotten this far by doing it alone.. but again it’s time for a team. I never thought I’d make it this far by doing something I love.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
I think everyone in my life deserves credit.
From my family, to my friends, to my peers.. and simply anyone who has booked me or bought from me. Everyone in my life deserves credit because I would t have made it this far without them.
Even with just encouraging words. Or sharing a post.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: CheffTank
