Today we’d like to introduce you to Chef Christina .
Hi Chef Christina, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My name is CHEF Christina, owner of THE EXOTIC CHEF, a catering and private dining experience and the DMV area. My background and food began at the tender age of five years old on the beautiful island of Jamaica where I lived with my grandparents. My grandma Marion was the biggest influence on my culinary career till this date, no matter my accomplishments I still attribute my successes to the skill set, and the principles instilled in me by her. At the tender age of five, my grandmother whom was my primary caretaker, started to go blind from cataracts, and I was the only child in the household that was not yet attending school, so, then I became her little kitchen helper. My grandmother used to sit at our dinner table and give me instructions around her kitchen for which looking back at myself now, I followed immaculately. I began preparations for dinner for the family when everyone would return home from school and work with my grandmother‘s guidance and that is where my love for cuisine grew. As my family would praise me and tell me how great their meals were my grandmother would just smile and say good job Chrissy you did it all by yourself and as a child that instilled so much confidence and love in me. So as I grew older, I became more efficient and well-versed in cuisine that love grew with me, and as I migrated it to the United States to be with my mom, she then fostered more culinary artistic traits in me as my mom is an excellent cook herself I would say she goes hand-in-hand with my grandmother, which was my father‘s mom. I learned new recipes and new styles and how to maintain a cleanly kitchen space during my preparation all from my mom. All throughout my years of school, I had been that friend who would always cook and make up recipes and feed my friends. I talk back to my friends and we reminisce all the time about those days and they were like Christina you really did it. You really followed your dream. After high school, I went on to become a United States Postal Service employee of 13 years. During my years at the United States Postal Service, I would cook and sell food to my coworkers and my managers. Cooking has never failed me and it’s always been right by my side as my favorite thing to do is to feed people I love doing it so much And that love is what drives my career till this date.. While working for the United States Postal Service, I was able to obtain my bachelor of science and psychology, and a culinary arts degree. After suffering, a life altering injury at the Postal Service and separation from the Postal Service after suffering, with out an income, eventually, I would fall back on my cooking as a way to make income while I was suffering from amajor injury,. I realize that my life’s path led me to pursue a career in culinary arts.. I began researching and decided to start my first LLC in March 2016. There,”The Exotic Chef” brand was born. I started out working with companies like EZ CATER, and try hungry, and doing private chef experiences in Home for inquiring clients, then word-of-mouth got me more and more referrals, I would go out and hand out flyers after the clubs made friends with a few club owners and a lot of heavily influential people during my time driving Uber and Lyft I would go out to festivals and carnivals to promote myself and business and make long lasting relationships that still support me to this day. I would pull up and sell food to hungry club, goers and DJs and entertainment life promoters, these relationships got me into many doors that I’m still thankful for to this day. This type of footwork allowed me to pave the way for my name and brand THE EXOTIC CHEF. Before you know it, I was getting calls and bookings from establishments like Microsoft, Walter Reed, capital one stadium and so many more establishments. As years progressed, I wore many hats in my company. In 2019 November, I took a chance I got on a $25 bus and rode the bus to New York City where I would be, recognized by Gordon Ramsay‘s team for MasterChef 11. After making the selection for the MasterChef 11 cast, we were set to go film in April of the following year in 2020. My dreams were shocked when Covid struck in March 2020 and all plans were put on hold. So during that time still operating my catering business out of the taste makers food hall in Northeast Washington DC, my business took off like I had never seen before that year in Covid my company made it first hundred and $150,000.. my company has since been recognized for its gourmet quality, Jamaican fusion cuisine, and For being the creator of the famous and viral oxtail sandwich. My career had another beautiful success during our time at the R house Foidhall location in Remington Baltimore, Maryland area. Where I met a beautiful young lady who was an artist this was my first time in Baltimore and I had no idea that the food scene was one of the most amazing in the country and that there were so many foodies and influencers in that very city I went in with an attention to detail and an intention to love each, and every person who came to support my business at the current pop-up location, not knowing providing these Welcoming customer service experiences, and great food would earn me the attention of thousands of people. My oxtail sandwich went viral. The Internet was in a frenzy, and it literally happened overnight in 2023 thanks to Chyno the blue bearded foodie, Charm City Table, and Cousin KIM.. we have since obtain locations in the Hyattsville Maryland area where we currently provide catering and service to our clients in the DMV area.
Clients are able to place orders for catering. We serve Corpo Rottie, government, and personal clients via our website, anyone can order catering for up to 45 miles away from our location address that allows us to serve a vast clientele base, and anyone can book a private chef in-home experience directly from our website.
www.the-exotic-chef.com
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 always been a smooth road in business, some of the hurdles are financial challenges and locations. I started my business from scratch with $500 in 2016 and since I started my business, I have not ever obtained a grant or alone till this date. It’s literally just been hard work and dedication and semi-discipline.
As you know, we’re big fans of The Exotic Chef. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
My business is the first of its kind in this area, we are a multiservice business that provides seven different cuisine types and caters to each clients needs Jamaican cuisine is my Specialty near and dear to my heart. . I have been trained in four other different countries very well-versed in Asian cuisine as I’ve trained in Japan and Thailand in Asian cuisine, puff pastry, and breads, as I’ve trained in France, and Portugal with a focus on pastel de Nata, Italy, with a focus on tomato based sauces and cream, based sauces, and from scratch pasta making with. I provide consultations for events. We do weddings, corporate events, private catering events, and private chef services in Home, as well as meal prep for personal clients on a weekly basis. We also have a juice bar available, where clients can obtain cold pressed no sugar added all fruit juices, iced teas, and lemonades.
What does success mean to you?
I define success, simply by being happy with the career that I am blessed with and able to do on a daily basis, which gives me fulfillment. The fact that I am able to touch the lives of many people and spread joy,That to me is a success and blessing.in my eyes
Pricing:
- For 20 Guests 1500- 1850
- For 50 Guests 2250-3500
- 100 Guests 4500+
- Pricing is flexible based on clients needs
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.the-exotic-chef.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_exotic_chef
