Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrew Rodriguez.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I have always loved to cook, as child my first memory was cooking breakfast for my family. Let’s just say I’ve gotten better at not burning the waffles and over cooking the eggs. As child I would watch my mother and grandmother cook for the everyone, while most kids loved to play video games or play outside I enjoyed being in the kitchen with my mother and grandmother. I saw how they brought happiness and joy through food. My love for food was so great that I would sit in front of the television for hours watching Ina Garten’s Barefoot Contessa show on food network. I learnt a lot from watching her show, the basics I would say. However, tasting was always a challenge of my mine. I had severe nasal complications and allergies that would limit what I was able to taste and smell.
I started my company in 2014, right as I was transitioning from culinary school to business school. In the beginning, it was hard as can be Juggling work, a full schedule and managing a start-up. By far, it was the most rewarding and fruitful experience. I had no idea how to start a business and learning as I went along implementing of some the tools I learnt in B-school. I started this business with the intention of providing happiness through food. I saw most people around me weren’t eating healthy. I became vegan or something close to that, I occasionally eat a small piece of cheese and shrimp here and there. My goal has always been to educate and change people’s lives through food. My first client was my aunt where I greatly appreciate what she did for me because lord knows what I was doing was a crazy in itself. I remember getting out class jetting over to her house to meal prep for her. She loved what I would do for the most part, I think at that time it was form of helping each other. I learnt a lot cooking for her from working with clients to experiencing what it actually took to be a fully operational business. Today, my business encompasses me helping others out. My mission is to educated and teach people what it is to be healthy and eat clean. I also provide support to local restaurants by food styling and taking photos.
Has it been a smooth road?
The road has not been smooth. Everything I have done in my business this far was learnt along the way. I had no knowledge of the inner workings and what it actually took to establish a business. From establishing my website to ordering /purchasing food. I would say the largest hurdle I had to overcome was juggling my personal life and setting my business up to be fully operational. In 2014 when I started my business I was experiencing some health complications. As I mentioned before I had severe nasal complications that just made it nearly impossible for me to breathe and taste food. I sought out treatment to help alleviate what I had been dealing with throughout my life. At the same time I moved in with my great-grandmother to help her as she was dying. It was by far the toughest part of life caring for and seeing my great grandmother die right before my eyes. Unfortunately she passed before I could finish school and right in the midst of me setting up my business. After she passed it was hard to move forward I lost hope as well as my drive. Furthermore, The passion I once had was not there I had no desire to do much I was in a unclear space. It took some time to overcome, I had lost someone that I truly loved. With the support of my family and close friends who are much more like family gave me the light I needed to give back to the people I once cooked for. I had to remember food is central in everyone lives, it brings back fond memories, celebrations and much more. I was providing a new way of for some people and others bringing back those memories that are so cherished. It was a hurdle that I needed to experienced I think to be able to humble myself and my business practice.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I am a culinary expert, I teach, cook, meal prep and cater. I specialize in teaching folks how to cook, some the areas of food in which I specialize in are Asian cuisine and Italian cuisine. I am most proud to say that I bring joy to people through food. Being able to see people enjoy laugh and smile while they eat what I cook is the most rewarding thing.
What sets me apart from others is the fact that I genuinely care about my clients, while integrating innovative techniques to teach people how to cook. I want my clients to be able to recreate the dishes I provide them. In addition, I want my clients to change their lives for the better through healthy eating.
I am currently working on expanding Andrewsfoodfeed to be an interactive and immersive experience. My goal is to unite people together during this time where covid-19 has essentially isolated the general public.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
My city is a great place for my business. Everyone In LA wants to live a healthy life style. It makes it the perfect place to grow and scale my business. Los Angeles has so much to offer, you can literally go anywhere to find inspiration. Moreover, LA has this swag that you cannot find anywhere else in the world. People that live here are so free and are willing to try for the most part anything. So many resources are available for entrepreneurs to utilize, it’s a matter of just going after it. As 2pac would say “ I live and die in L.A., it’s the place to be, you’ve got to be here to know it’.
Pricing:
- Cooking classes start at $50.00 with ingredients included
- Catering starts at $300.00
- Meal plans start at 430.00
Contact Info:
- Email: andrewsfoodfeed@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andrewsfoodfeed/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Andrewsfoodfeed/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/andrewsfoodfeed
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLH_vyL0xxQNuUJJIfgCxYw
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