Today we’d like to introduce you to Jamila Kittaneh.
Hi Jamila, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My name is Jamila Kittaneh, and a proud mother of three. I grew up in a rural area in the North of West Bank, Palestine, where we always had fresh vegetables, fruits, herbs, and meat. This taught me to love fresh ingredients and how food is a cultural, social, celebratory and an innovative experience. Since I was ten years old, I loved to cook, make new recipes, and challenge my mother on presentation. I remember that she and I would argue where to locate fresh olives and herbs so that the table speaks to the moment.
When I graduated from high school, I went to straight to college and got my business degree. After working for various companies for three years, I felt that I am not bringing my deepest passion into my work. So, I did some soul-searching, and I joined the Chef Academy Club. While attending my chef courses, I was the happiest person alive, and I never had this much excitement for anything. At that time, I quit my job to focus on my dream, and I started cooking and making new recipes online.
When I moved to Georgia in 2019, I started tasting different foods from various cultures, which unlocked a world of options for me. So, I started cooking and making my own recipes using Indian, Chinese, Middle Eastern, Italian, and American ingredients. After making them, I ensured people in my building, the park and sometimes the street tasted my new recipes and gave me feedback. I also got to know that food enabled me to understand and love Georgians because they also love the diversity of foods and cultures.
People loved my food and spread the word very quickly. I started receiving catering orders, and fans started asking me for recipes online. So, I posted food photos and pictures on my Facebook page ‘Chef Jamila’. The Facebook page grew very quickly, now at ~20K followers. I also created my small catering business in 2021 called Chef Jamila LLC. Even as a small business, I started to receive large orders that required a great deal of sophistication and presentation.
After my initial but great success, my dream is to create the largest food catering business that brings culture to food. To me, every plate is a celebration of culture and freshness.
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?
It has NOT been a smooth road. I joined the chef academy while working and also raising children with my great husband. Another challenge, which proved to be a great opportunity, is moving to another country with a different culture, language, and food preferences. Language was also another challenge which I am also overcoming.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Chef Jamila, LLC?
Chef Jamila, LLC, based in Alpharetta, is a small catering business that specializes in middle eastern foods, including fingers food, pastries and sweets. My specialization is bringing you a glimpse of culture and tradition with a modern style and presentation. Please visit my Facebook page to be amazed: https://www.facebook.com/ChefJamilaKittaneh.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
My husband has been the best support I could ask for as he supported me in every decision I made! He believed in me when others did not.
My main advice to others that are starting up their own initiatives is to follow your heart and passion. You could also experiment and test what you are good at. If you follow your passion, you will be successful and you will figure it out, let alone endure any challenges you face along the way.
Last but not least, networking was my secret ingredient to start up and grow my business and Facebook page, whether through attending events, online, or even visiting others.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/chefjamila?igshid=MzNlNGNkZWQ4Mg==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChefJamilaKittaneh
