Daily Inspiration: Meet Tiana Gee

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tiana Gee

Hi Tiana , can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My journey has been quite the adventure, and it all started with a childhood dream. From a young age, I always knew I wanted my own cooking show. I’ve always had a love for food and entertaining, and I was lucky enough to take my first foods class at an early age. From that point on, it was a wrap – I knew this was my lifepath.

I went on to compete in high school through CCAP to earn culinary scholarships, and that led me to culinary school. From there, I had the privilege of working in some of the best restaurants in LA, honing my skills and learning the ins and outs of the industry. Eventually, I moved to New York to work with my mentor, Marcus Samuelsson, which was an incredible chapter in my journey.

When COVID hit, I decided to bet on myself and dive deeper into entrepreneurship. That’s when I poured more into SoulPhil, a concept I’d actually dreamed up when I was 18. It’s a fusion of Filipino soul food that combines the comfort of home with creative twists. I also began focusing more on my content, expanding my presence through my YouTube channel, Cookin’ with Tee, where I could connect with people through food, travel, and lifestyle.

Throughout all of this, I’ve always been passionate about culture, community, and travel. I’ve realized that food isn’t just about flavor – it’s about connection and sharing experiences. I’ve been fortunate to collaborate with incredible brands and curate experiences that merge food, culture, and lifestyle. It’s all about staying true to myself, while pushing the boundaries of what’s possible and continuing to build meaningful connections along the way.

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?
Life is never a smooth road, and I’ve definitely faced my fair share of challenges. But I’m fortunate that I’ve always found a way to navigate through the struggles. Betting on yourself comes with a lot of responsibility—it means late nights, early mornings, and plenty of moments of self-doubt, questioning if you’re on the right path. But through all that, I’ve learned that there’s always beauty in the struggle, and I’m grateful I’ve never strayed too far off course.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
At the core, I’m a creative and an artist. Over time, I’ve managed to find my brand identity and focus on what brings me the most joy in life, and I’m fortunate to live a great life doing what I love. By trade, I’m a chef, and I run a pop-up restaurant called SoulPhil, where I celebrate my heritage through Filipino soul food fusion. It’s truly my love letter to where I come from, and watching the brand evolve, along with my own personal growth, has been so fulfilling.

Alongside that, I’m heavily involved in food media and hosting. I have a YouTube channel called Cookin with Tee, where I share recipes and explore all sorts of delicious things. I’ve also always had a deep passion for community, culture, and travel, which led me to start documenting my travels on my channel with a segment called Travel with Tee.

Honestly, I’m proud of everything. I’m proud that I’ve embraced all the things I love, and I’m grateful that I’m able to pour into creating a life where I can truly just be myself and make a living from it.

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
Yes, I’ve definitely taken the risk to bet on myself. Choosing to not follow the traditional 9-to-5 path and stepping into the world of entrepreneurship has been a huge leap. There’s no guaranteed paycheck, and sometimes you can make a good amount one month and the next, not so much. It’s a constant gamble, but at the end of the day, it’s about pouring into what you truly believe in. The risk is that there’s no guarantee of success, but I find comfort in knowing that my faith and my determination will guide me to success in the end. That’s what keeps me grounded and motivated, knowing that if I keep pushing, the right opportunities will come.

I’ve also had to turn down money and opportunities because they didn’t align with who I believe I am and what I stand for. That’s always hard, but I love walking away with my integrity intact. I trust that when you make those tough choices, something better is always on the way.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://cheftianagee.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/cheftianagee
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/cheftianagee
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/cookinwithtee
• Other: https://soulphil.co