Today we’d like to introduce you to Phillip Whitaker.
Hi Phillip, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Chef Phillip Whitaker was born in Atlanta, Ga. While growing up in Decatur, Ga, chef was inspired by his mother, grandmother and great aunts to cook. He was taught southern cooking techniques with roots from their birth place called Valdosta, Ga. Chef has always been interested in not only the importance of Southern cooking but how this cuisine has some parts in most cuisines around the world. He has been inspired by a great amount of chefs like G. Garvin, James Hemings, Hercules Posey, Gordon Ramsay and more.
He began his culinary career at the age of 17 where he attended and graduated from Le Cordon Bleu School of Culinary Arts in Atlanta. Chef Phil has worked in different restaurants such as Bistro Niko, one of Atlanta’s top French restaurants, P.F. Chang’s where he was a Sous Chef and even Waffle House. After years of working in different restaurants, Chef became an Assistant Pastry Chef at Pinewood Movie Studios where he prepared desserts for productions such as Black Panther, Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, Being Mary Jane, All Eyez On Me and more.
Since a young age he wanted to be an entrepreneur and decided to take that next step after gaining skills under many great chefs. Chef started his catering business full time in 2019. CalosCo’s Catering & Bakery is the name envisioned by Chef which he gave a meaning, “Excellence”. He has catered events such as Weddings, Birthday Parties, Baby Showers, Corporate Events, Celebrity Parties, Graduations, Homecoming Events and more. Chef has worked in a few different cuisines such as American Cuisine, Italian Cuisine, Southern Cuisine, Caribbean Cuisine, Mexican Cuisine, Cuban Cuisine, Louisiana Creole and more.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
If you have a vision or dream to achieve, I believe it’s never a smooth road. It’s been a challenging road since the beginning of my career. In every industry you have to do the impossible to make it to your goal. I worked in restaurants I didn’t want to, I worked long hours I didn’t want to, and I took pay cuts that I didn’t want to. I was so focused on the passion and becoming an entrepreneur, I pushed through each day. Now that I’m an entrepreneur, it’s still not a smooth road, and it’s tougher at times. But it’s all worth it when your customers are happy, and that’s when I know it’s only the beginning for me. Even through the hard times you have to think ahead and make a sacrifice daily for your business. You’re building a brand that takes time, patience, and dedication.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Chef Phil has been told that he is very personable and his professionalism is top-tier. Customers call his food “5-star restaurant” worthy. The presentation, the food, and the hospitality are unmatched and unique. Chef pays attention to detail with every dish he prepares and is very particular about each event that’s catered.
Chef cooks from the heart with pride, and it pours into each creation. The food is always fresh and prepared from scratch. It’s so hard to stay limited to one cuisine or one area in culinary. Chef is an amazing pastry chef also which is what he started doing in the beginning of his career.
CalosCo’s offers catering for a variety of customers, such as Weddings, Corporate Events, Baby Showers, Bridal Showers, Birthday Parties, Private Events, Homecoming Tailgates and more. Chef also began is DJ career in 2025 and is looking forward to merging food and music together with upcoming events.
What makes you happy?
Art makes me happy. I believe that whatever field you work in, you’re an artist. Whether you’re a chef, photographer, painter, dancer, DJ, architect, hair stylist, content creator, fashion designer etc.; you have the ability to create and be bold about it. Meeting other artist or entrepreneurs that have the same work ethic as myself makes me see that all of these fields are a full circle.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.caloscocb.world
- Instagram: @chefphil_calosco and @caloscocb
- Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCrRA4SPdYDzMkjFh4JDa13A
Image Credits
Michole Kemp of ShotbyMK
