Today we’d like to introduce you to Joshua Harkins.
Hi Joshua, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I credit my father for my love of food. The old man and I appreciate a good meal. Although hesitant at first, I’ve slowly got him to warm up to my career choice. Out of high school, I went to college, studying to be a paralegal. Honestly was just doing it to keep the family happy. My true passion was food. One day I woke up and just decided that I was going to teach myself how to cook, and that’s what I did. I started in Orlando and got the basics down.
As I progressed, I found my way to Atlas at the St Regis in Buckhead. Here is where my career began. Here I learned to take food seriously. By now, I was a certified foody, but I knew there needed to be some sort of ownership in my life. I loved to cook, but on my terms, when I want and for who I want. With the support of my brothers, EnjoyTheYum was born. It was time to take my talents further than the walls of a single restaurant. I get food haha it’s what makes me happiest. I’m able to lose myself in a kitchen. It wasn’t easy venturing off on my own. It’s a risk, but a necessary risk. The thing with private dinners and events is you get one shot to impress. Every opportunity you get starting out you have to nail keeps the momentum. A lot of pressure haha, but the feeling after pulling off a 20 person 5-course meal is like no other. So rewarding, and I truly love providing an unforgettable experience with quality local ingredients. As of now, EnjoyTheYum is busy! Slowly building the team and eagerly awaiting more opportunities for people to EnjoyTheYum!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Bumpy road to say the least. Taking an idea and turning it into reality is a job in itself. You have to believe in yourself. Trust that the juice is worth the squeeze. I remember my first private gig I put on by myself. I rented out an old Ruby Tuesday’s, the owner was super shady and overcharged me like $100 and the chef I was collaborating with got into some legal trouble and the front of house liaison backed out and it was like everything in the universe was telling me this wasn’t going down. I pushed through, took a huge financial risk and ended up pulling the damn thing off! Got my dad to buy a ticket to that dinner so he could understand what I was up too. As more gigs come, you learn how to be more professional and efficient, I guess you could call them growing pains.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I specialize in creating memorable experiences paired with farm-to-table tradition. Big emphasis on farm to table, EnjoyTheYum is local, personal, and motivated. Cooking is emotion, cooking is raw emotion and through food I am able to express myself to others. Food is a further extension of my feelings. To have found my passion at such a young age is a blessing, to me food is a release. I can lose myself in food and just focus on what’s in front of me, the sounds of vegetables hitting a hot pan with the aroma of olive oil hanging in the air. Fresh cracked pepper and some tripe to the spice cabinet, the soft grinding of the mortar and pestle.
By now, the grills getting hot and the smell of fresh charcoal is creeping it’s way into the house. My pup yams peeking his head around the corner, wondering what that smell is. He always knows to hang around the kitchen when dads cooking. These are the moments I live for where all the noise of everyday life fades away and I’m left with a familiar tone. The sounds of the kitchen, like music to my ears. My dream is to help people EnjoyTheYum all over the world, can you dig it?
What does success mean to you?
I believe success is getting paid to do what makes you happy. I can cook anywhere in the world it’s still food.
Pricing:
- Private dinner for two $500
- Group dinners food/wine $125 per person
Contact Info:
- Email: Enjoytheyum@gmail.com
- Website: EnjoyTheYum.com
- Instagram: EnjoyTheYum
Image Credits:
Diana Ward Atlas/tavistock restaurant collection
