Meet ReShawn Wilder

Today we’d like to introduce you to ReShawn Wilder.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I developed my passion for cooking at an early age. I used to sit around in the kitchen, watching my mom and grandmother cook. My brothers loved sports, I loved academia and the arts. Cooking was my escape, it was my safe haven especially growing up in Detroit. Fast forward 20 years, I launched a food page on Instagram called Eyes_of_a_Foodie, after the both of my brothers died in car accidents. Initially, I launched this page to display some of my favorite recipes that I loved to cook. That quickly turned into fellow food bloggers and restaurants inviting to food tastings around Detroit. Traveling to different restaurants across Michigan and even the country was a lot of fun, I didn’t want people to forget my passion for actual cooking. One day, my coworker convinced me to audition for Master Chef season 9. I didn’t make it past the first round of auditions. I wasn’t discouraged, I knew it wasn’t the right time for me. The following year, the same coworker told me I should audition for season 10. As I sat in the Detroit airport waiting for my flight to Dallas where the auditions were held, I met a lady and her two kids. This was such a nice family, whom I had the pleasure of conversing with. I discretely informed them of my purpose for traveling to Dallas, and all of their faces lit up. They were huge fans of the show.

Before I boarded the flight, the young boy asked for my autograph saying “I know you’ll be famous someday!” That moment changed my purpose for auditioning. From that moment forward, I knew I was doing it for that little boy! I was doing it for young black men and you black women all over, I was doing it to be an example to my family. Long story short, I landed a spot in the Top 80 of 20,000 on Master Chef season 10! Although I was eliminated the first week, my journey was not over. In fact, that’s when it all began. I went back home and started working on cheesecake flavors since that was the dish that got a spot on Master Chef. The notoriety of my cheesecakes spread like a wildfire. By Oct. 2019, I had my first cheesecake pop up shop! I was featured on ABC Detroit, which helped catapult my cheesecake brand. I went on to do more pop up shops. I’ve since then have been featured on Fox Detroit, Buzzfeed Tasty, and CoCoa Butter. I was also featured in Pop Sugar Magazine and Delish Magazine as 1 of 30 Black chefs on the rise and collaborated with Williams-Sonoma. After a very successful two years, I moved to Los Angeles to expand my brand; where my cheesecakes are sold at Lokels Only.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I believe that whenever you follow the plans that God has for your life, it won’t necessarily be easy but will be worth it. It’s not easy being a black man, but it is rewarding to have a position to inspire others. I love being able to share my gift, my passion, my love with the world. One challenge that I faced overall was the loss of both of my brothers. That was the toughest thing I’ve faced in my life thus far.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
By day, I’m a flight attendant. I’ve been flying for seven years. But I’m most proud of my cheesecake line. I’ve created well over 35 flavors, including seasonal flavors.

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
I believe my mom and grandmother had a huge part to play in my success! Those two ladies are the reason why I developed a desire for cooking. I learned so much from them throughout my childhood. My mentors and pastors P.K. and Ms. Miriam has a huge hand me being the man I am today. My beloved city of Detroit has supported me and rocked with me since day 1. Detroit will always be home for me!

Pricing:

• $15-$20 minis
• $70-$100 whole

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.eyesofafoodie.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/eyes_of_a_foodie
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/eyesofafoodieglobal
• Other: www.instagram.com/nostalgia.cheesecakes

Image Credits
ReShawn Wilder (myself)