Today we’d like to introduce you to Chef Tessa Farley.
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?
I started cooking at the age of 9. One day my mom was sick and too weak to cook, so I asked if I could make dinner for her. I’m sure she expected sandwiches or something simple—but instead, I prepared a full Southern meal: fried chicken, collard greens, cornbread, and rice. That moment sparked something in me that never left.
Although cooking was always my passion, I spent many years pursuing degrees in fields I had no real connection to, including psychology, phlebotomy, and practical nursing. Throughout all of that, I never left the kitchen. I had been working in restaurants since I was 15 and continued serving and learning the industry even while earning those unrelated degrees.
At 16, I was told that being a chef “wasn’t a real job,” and for a long time, I allowed that belief to deter me from what I was truly called to do. It wasn’t until I turned 30 that I finally chose myself and followed my passion wholeheartedly, earning my degree in culinary management.
Today, I know I was born to create—crafting beautiful, flavorful cuisine and serving it with passion, intention, and excellence. Every dish I make is rooted in love, resilience, and the belief that purpose is always worth pursuing, no matter how long it takes to answer the call.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
No, it definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. My biggest hurdle was believing in myself. I knew I could cook, and I knew I could serve—but I didn’t know how the world would receive my gift.
In my early events, when the buffet opened, I would literally hide in the bathroom. I was terrified—afraid people wouldn’t like my food, afraid I’d be exposed as a fraud, despite all the experience and passion I carried. Imposter syndrome was very real for me.
It took about eight months for that fear to loosen its grip. What changed was realizing that people didn’t just enjoy the food—they loved the entire experience. The care, the service, the intentionality behind Simply Sated began to resonate with clients, and their feedback slowly rebuilt my confidence.
That season taught me that growth isn’t just about skill—it’s about trust. Trusting your gift, trusting the process, and allowing yourself to be seen.
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?
My work is rooted in versatility, intention, and experience. Thanks to culinary school, I’m fluent across a wide range of cuisines, but my heart—and my specialty—will always be Southern cuisine. Being born and raised in the South deeply influences my cooking style and the comfort-forward flavors I’m known for.
Some of my top-selling dishes include herb-roasted chicken, Southern greens, sautéed green beans, and my signature creamy macaroni and cheese. These dishes consistently resonate with clients and have become staples of the Simply Sated menu.
Weddings are my primary specialty, but I proudly cater a wide range of events including corporate functions, baby showers, birthday parties, memorial services, book signings, and more. If there’s a reason to gather, I’m honored to be a part of it.
Along the way, I’ve also become well-known for my grazing tables—something that happened organically. When I create them, I let my artistic instincts take over. No two tables are ever the same; each one is designed as a custom, edible work of art that reflects the event and the client.
What I’m most proud of is maintaining 5-star reviews across all platforms. Plenty of people can cook, but food alone doesn’t create loyalty—experience does. From the very first inquiry to the day of the event, my clients receive my full attention, care, and professionalism. Simply Sated isn’t just catering—it’s an experience.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
What I love most about Atlanta is the ambition and creativity that live here. This city is full of people who chase their dreams with real fervor. I’ve worked alongside bartenders who dreamed of dancing with Beyoncé—and years later, I watched them perform as lead dancers at the Super Bowl. Cooks I once worked beside aspired to be actors, and later I saw them on The Walking Dead. One of my classmates dreamed of directing films, and last Christmas her movie aired on the Hallmark Channel.
Atlanta has a way of making big dreams feel possible. If you can imagine it here, you truly can achieve it.
What I love least? The answer we all share—the traffic. 😂
Pricing:
- All my menus are customized to meet my clients budgets
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.blessedhustle.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simply_sated_by_tessa?igsh=enA4d2htdnVhNmR0&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sated.by.tessa?
