Q&A with Kimberly Andrade, Private Chef

Tell us a bit about your Private Chef business.

My name I Kimberly Andrade and I am a Private Traveling Chef. I have been cooking for over 30 years and have been classically trained in Culinary Arts. Upon graduation I chose to expand my knowledge and have since become well versed in Caribbean
cooking. I have a passion for food, people and culture and this shows in how I cook, communicate, how resourceful and knowledgeable I am. Over the years I have worked in commercial kitchens, catering, food demonstration, culinary instruction along with personal and private cheffing.

What gave you the idea for your business and how did it start?

I have always enjoyed cooking and people. I found working in kitchebs was too restrictive and didn’t give me the opportunity to service and cater to my clients personally. I discovered there was a need for Chefs who enjoy working with people personally so I pursued this avenue.

What’s your favorite thing about your job?

The variety. I love working and meeting with new clients, creating and executing personalized menus along with relating to my client and their needs.

What are your keys to making yourself productive?

Focus. Focus and more focus. Along with visualization. Both of these tools enable me to feel excited for my projects. This in turn creates action.

Tell us one long-term goal in your career.

To have traveled the world, cooking, learning and giving back.

What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned through the course of your career?

The only way to grow and expand is to remain teachable. There is never a moment that I know everything and I understand that any “mistake” is just an opportunity to learn something new.

What advice would you give to others aspiring to succeed in your field?

Be willing to go outside of your job description and your pay in order to learn. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and look for opportunities to build new and exciting skills related to your specialty. Create a niche by becoming an expert in one area.

What are your favorite things to do outside of work?

Travel, go out to eat, biking, traveling, trying new things such as adventure sports, travel, learning and being in different cultures, learning and understanding food history and some science, and did I mention travel?

Name a few influential books you’ve read and/or websites you keep up with that you’d recommend to readers.

You Were Born Rich by Bob Proctor
Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
The Science of Getting Rich. Wallace D Wattles