Today we’d like to introduce you to Guelila Fornetti.
Guelila, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Growing up in Ethiopia, I would always find myself in the kitchen, taking in the aromas and watching in awe as the women prepared meals. Cooking has always been my passion, but I didn’t realize that I could turn my passion into a career until my son was born with severe food allergies. That’s when I decided to quit my 9-5 and become a stay-at-home mom.
When I went out with friends, plant-based options in non-vegan restaurants were very limited. I would find myself not being able to eat because the menus contained foods that were either cooked in butter, soy, or oil tainted with animal by-products. Since I have always enjoyed cooking, I would constantly have friends and family over for all-vegan dinner parties. Eventually, my friends encouraged me to turn my passion into a career, and here I am!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The tremendous amount of support I get from my family and friends has made this journey much easier, but the process as a whole has not been “smooth.” Learning how to run a business has its challenges. As a mother, I struggled with a lot of “mom-guilt.” If I am working long hours, I at times felt guilty because I would feel as though I am taking quality time away from my family. Learning to balance self-care and owning a business is something I am learning to do on a daily basis.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Vegan Chef Gueli – what should we know?
Cooking tasty vegan meals with no flavor lost is what I specialize in. It truly brings me a lot of joy when I am able to surprise and appease those that are initially close-minded about eating a plant-based meal. Generally, most people assume that vegan meals lack flavor; and I love taking on the challenge to prove them 100% wrong!
I am known for my signature Italian and Ethiopian dishes, which is my background. What sets me apart from others is that my business is solely created because of my passion for a healthier way of eating & my passion for cooking!
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My husband was already vegan when I met him. His journey was sparked by his chronic asthma flare-ups and his desire to become a healthier person. To this day, he no longer suffers from asthma. Upon hearing his story, I was intrigued about a plant-based lifestyle. I was initially a bit skeptical about embarking on a plant-based journey because it was completely foreign to me but knew I was ready for a change.
He never forced his way of life on me; he simply made suggestions and lived by example. Because of him, I was inspired to change my eating habits. Less than a month after eliminating animal products from my diet, I was able to combat my diagnosis of IBD and never look back! Needless to say, my life has forever been altered and I am thriving. I am grateful to my husband, for helping me get on this path to better health. And I now feel it’s my duty to pass on the torch and teach others how to eat healthier without giving up any flavors!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.veganchefgueli.com
- Email: info@veganchefgueli.com
- Instagram: veganchefgueli
- Facebook: veganchefgueli
- Twitter: veganchefgueli
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
