Inspiring Conversations with Chef Chuck Cleveland of Bluechip Catering & Events

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chef Chuck Cleveland.

Hi Chef Chuck, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I originally started my catering journey in NY. I moved to Brooklyn around 2011. Brooklyn which has a heavy Caribbean presence made me want to learn more about the culture and the food. Although I am a southern chef I also specialize in many different cuisines and over the years picked up a few new ones including Caribbean fare. It was rough for me with finding work and adjusting to the area and from that I was asked the question of what I was going to do, be a mechanic or run with the food and I chose the food and now 14yrs later I’ve thrived, failed and thrived again but hey, that’s the business.

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?
The road has not been smooth at all, in fact it’s been rough as hell but to be able to do what you love for a living makes the rough times worth pushing through. I’ve always had the me vs. me attitude because I’m a perfectionist and always looking to get better with my talent but between the rough economy that leaves potential customers shying away from booking events because of affordability or the rising food cost, it’s a bit harder for business.

As you know, we’re big fans of Bluechip Catering & Events. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
So from the last time I interviewed with voyage the business has grown quite a bit. We offer service nationwide as well as shipping. Bluechip Catering is known for personable customer service and delicious eats! Specialties include southern cuisine, Caribbean, African, Latin and a few more but known mainly for the seafood and Caribbean foods. What sets me apart from others is the drive I have, the willingness to lose sleep for what I love, the offering of nationwide service not limited to catering but meal prep and other offerings. What I’m most proud of brand wise is the connections I’ve made with either celebrity athletes, singers and actors to corporate accounts like Adobe, Delta Airlines, Walmart and JFrog but more importantly the people that have been touched by the food, the customers who keep me working and refer Bluechip to their families, friends and places of employment.

What was your favorite childhood memory?
My favorite childhood memory has to be when I tried crying chicken when my grandparents who at the time I was living with wasn’t home. I forget where they went for the evening but I wanted something to eat so I tried to cook. That attempt started off badly to say the least, the grease was up waaaay too high, the chicken was partially thawed and once it hit the hot grease it burned in less than 2 minutes lol.

Pricing:

• Date Night range from $500-2000
• Cooking Lessons $100 per person+ food
• Meal Prep $20 per meal

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Bluechip_catering