Today we’d like to introduce you to Freedom Lenon.
Hi Freedom, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Born and raised in Los Angeles, I started Freedom Cooks from a love for social connection and the warmth of rustic, homestyle comfort food. I always saw food as more than just nourishment, it was a way to bring people together, to create moments, and to share love.
I officially launched my company at 19, fresh out of high school, still figuring out who and what I wanted to be. I didn’t have a clear path. I was partying, living aimlessly, but I always had this unshakable passion for cooking. One night, deep in the Hills, I decided to cook for everyone at the house, friends, strangers, whoever was around. & as I watched everyone come together over the food, I felt something I hadn’t in a long time: a sense of home. It brought me back to simpler times in my youth, where cooking and connection were everything. That moment grounded me. I knew then that this wasn’t just something I loved, it was something I needed to do. It gave me direction, purpose, and the drive to build something meaningful not only for others, but for myself…
I started solely based off instagram. I quickly got my website up and running (shoutout to Mobile Giant for the assist). I then started off with weekly “Bomb Plates.” Classic plate lunches that I cooked from home to get my name out there. A chance for those to taste what I had to offer. I knew I wanted to be a private chef but I didn’t quite know at the time how to gain clientele. But the amount of love and support I received from family and friends were surreal!
How I got here today is honestly because of the support of those who saw the vision before it was even fully formed. The vision of bringing people together. They took a chance on me. Most of my clients have come through word of mouth or recommendations. & that alone speaks volumes. We’re building more than a clientele, we’re building a community. A safe haven. Not just for food, but for experience. For culture. For joy. For connection.
Living on my own since I was 18 I had no room for error. Seeing those take a chance on me motivated me to take a chance on myself. & boy am I glad that I did. Freedom Cooks isn’t just a one man job. Little by little I built a team. A small team of family and friends who continue to help me achieve my dreams. What started off as intimate 3 course dinners for small parties then became bigger parties. That grew into catering events. & that to me is a blessing.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Definitely not. There has been many struggles but my philosophy in life is you live and you learn. Starting off, I didn’t have the kitchen space I needed. I didn’t have the experience other than cooking for just family and friends. It was very nerve wrecking to showcase my food to others. But the confidence my loved ones gave me was enough for me to push my boundaries and experiment with different flavor profiles.
Along with being new to paying bills, insurance, certifications, and the complexities of being an adult. It was hard to find a balance between work and my social life. I’ve always been a hard worker but to truly invest in myself at the time seemed like a fantasy.
Other than yearning for more I learned to stay positive and express genuine gratitude. Philosophies that I abided by that then manifested into my career.
2 years into my career I lost my beloved best friend. She was my muse. She was my partner that I did everything with. The amount of bookings that she showed out to support and help was truly amazing.
To grieve along with the pressures of running your own business was truly one of my biggest hurdle. The crazy thing is, not only a couple weeks after she passed I received a gig to do a Hollywood red carpet event. It took everything in me to accept it. But I knew it was her call from the universe to keep me sane. She knew Freedom Cooks would help me gain clarity in what life was about. Spent many days wanting to give up but she was one of the many reasons that pushed me to be better. To live in her honor. She was a money making “Boss Lady.” The true definition of if you want it, go get it.
To lose somebody so young and so close to me was truly a heartbreaking experience. But to continue to live on with her fundamentals on life is how I know I’ll always be okay. My success is her success. & I can’t wait to continue making her proud.
Being so young in the industry I had so much to learn. But like my best friend always said: “You get what you give.” So I gave it love, patience. & little by little I started to gain mentors and experienced chefs who gave me so many pointers and advice. & for that I will always be grateful.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Freedom Cooks offers fully customizable culinary services from intimate in home dinners to large scale events with decorative platings. My style is deeply rooted in Filipino, Asian, Islander flavors, inspired by the cultural blend that shaped my palate growing up. LA is such a melting pot of people and traditions, and I’ve always found inspiration in the way food connects us, regardless of background.
Cooking has always been my escape. It embodies everything I believe in: nourishment, togetherness, boldness, and creativity. Starting young, I saw how food could break barriers, build friendships, and create joy. Becoming a private chef gave me the freedom to express myself fully. To be bold, to be loving, and to be me.
My goal with Freedom Cooks is simple but powerful: to spread love and passion through food. I want every client to feel heard, cared for, and completely blown away, not just by the flavors, but by the experience. That what sets Freedom Cooks apart from others. To simply be loved and appreciated is often overlooked. To me that’s everything. I want every client to look to me as their cousin, best friend. Over time, I plan to grow this into a franchise rooted in intimacy, trust, and unforgettable meals.
I am known for my Filipino infused dishes. I create a safe space for my clients to customize any food they want. But I always love to add some islander flare. That at the same time is what I’m proud of most. I’m also very known for luxurious food & unique decorative platings. Along with my services, entertainment, & event coordination.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
What I find that works best is to be humble. Of course, unapologetically be yourself. But always show respect. Finding a mentor wasn’t always the easiest but coming from an Asian household we were taught to always respect your elders. Despite coming from that background I’ve always been a person to ask why. To speak out at things that didn’t seem fair or correlate with who and what I wanted to be as a person.
I have countless mentors, ranging from my parents, uncles, aunts, to grandparents, to those new people I’ve built relationships with. To the many new friendships of genuine love and support. It took some time but I’ve always been a person who wanted many different perspectives. I will always be somebody who validates and values a person just for taking the time to have a talk with me.
My advice is to find your niche. I am deeply rooted in art, music, fashion. Find people who share the same crafts & people who make work feel like a lifestyle. Always listen open heartedly but always remember peoples intentions. I am a true believer of you attract what you are. It all starts within. Confidence is key but never forget your roots. Put yourself out there, find communities that support who & what you strive to be. It’s out there, sometimes you have to look within to allow yourself to find it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.freedomcooks.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freedomcooksla?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChefFreedomCooks?mibextid=wwXIfr&mibextid=wwXIfr
- Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/freedom-lenon
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@freedomcooks6762?si=ulYPJapuRTT_CWlA
- Yelp: https://yelp.to/XMP47YnAut
Image Credits
@flixbyjay @ilovewise
