Today we’d like to introduce you to Chef Asia B.
Chef Asia, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Honestly, I don’t even know where to start or begin lol. It all began when I was 11 years old.
I had a love and Passion for food and art as a child and that’s where everything began for me. This was a chapter in my life that I knew that I wanted to pursue. Being in the creative food industry, now as I got older, I knew I wanted to be a full-time entrepreneur. I had an idea of what I thought My future was going to look like when I got out of college . I knew I wanted to be a chef and be a full-time business owner. Fast forward 5 to 6 years later I am a full-time chef That does sweet and savory foods and pastries, a cookbook author, also I am a food and lifestyle brand. I just launched a food and lifestyle company called Grandma Edna’s which is a gourmet butter line. Grandma Edna’s was named after my great grandma she was truly the inspiration behind this all .For this brand and idea I wanted to keep on her legacy .I grew up on her amazing Southern soul food and cuisine. I will continue to carry on my Grandma Edna’s legacy.
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?
I am going to be as transparent as possible it has not been an easy or smooth selling. I’ve been a full-time business owner the last 5 to 6 years .still from this day it’s not easy, I’m still figuring things out. Even when I’m at my highest, I still feel frustrated, confused and disappointed at times. You’re not gonna figure everything out. Some of the challenges I face now is price inflation, things going up food supplies and kitchen equipment. Hiring the right people to do certain things. Also trying to stay creative and come up with different marketing ideas and trying to stay up float wearing so many hats is the most frustrating thing.
I am going to be as transparent as possible it has not been an easy or smooth selling. I’ve been a full-time business owner the last 5 to 6 years .still from this day it’s not easy, I’m still figuring things out. Even when I’m at my highest, I still feel frustrated, confused and disappointed at times. You’re not gonna figure everything out. Some of the challenges I face now is price inflation, things going up food supplies and kitchen equipment. Hiring the right people to do certain things. Also trying to stay creative and come up with different marketing ideas and trying to stay up float wearing so many hats is the most frustrating thing.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As a chef, it’s a craft of creativity, artistic and being able to blend different flavors together. For example spices,herbs and sweets . I’ve been able to combine my Passion into a full-time career and I love it. Cooking is like storytelling. For example
You are eating your favorite dish and it reminds you of something of your childhood ,that you grew up eating .The more powerful and meaningful of the story , more memorable it becomes. It’s like combining a burst of different flavors together that’s just so exciting. Just makes you want more . Food brings people together, I’m known for bringing people together for food and it’s a beautiful thing.
I think what sets me apart is I always have a story behind what I cook or what I bake. Every occasion is a memorable feeling and I got that from my grandma Edna.
In January of 2022 earlier this year I started a food and lifestyle brand called Grandma Enda’s. It is in honor of my late great grandma, the first food product that I have is a gourmet butterline.
The flavor is a honey butter.Over the spring I was recently accepted into accelerator,food product program for my butterline, Grandma Enda’s.
I was able to wholesale with doordash. I would love to see it in retail stores that I feel that will really fit the brand. Grandma Edna’s is sold online right now and my grandma was truly a inspiration behind it all.
Also, the other thing that I have accomplished that I am proud of . I had a relaunch dinner party back in July of 2021 ,called cocktails and cornbread. So with that event, I curated all of the Southern soul food dishes that I grew up cooking with my grandmother so now cocktails and cornbread is a Southern theme sit-down dinner party. Bringing people together to break bread. A Yearly event that I would like to continue to grow.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
The few things that I have learned during the crazy times of covid is , it’s okay to be in your thoughts , it may take you some time to Strategize new plans .
Just sit still, that’s the most important thing that I learned.
It has given me the ability to be more creative and patient,more than ever in my life.Truly grateful for the times that I needed to reflect.I had to learn to give myself grace.Through this journey I figured out what I wanted out of my career and future.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.chefasiab.com
- Instagram: Chefasia.b
- Facebook: Chefasia.b
Image Credits
Nicole Leverett food photographer 📸.
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