Hidden Gems: Meet Star Washington of Shef’s Catering

Today we’d like to introduce you to Star Washington

Hi Star, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I grew up with a single mother and, while she was in school getting her master’s degree, I had to care for my little brother and sister. Since she didn’t cook much, I had to learn. It started out for survival, but I ended up loving it. School wasn’t something I enjoyed, but I always enjoyed cooking. For years, whenever there was a party or family gathering, I was the one volunteering to bring a dish. One day, one of my neighbors mentioned that I was always banging pots and pans around upstairs. I ended up inviting her to join me for a meal and that was a turning point, because she ended up being the person who convinced me that I should go to culinary school.

I attended Le Cordon Bleu College for Culinary Arts in Pasadena. I didn’t expect that culinary school would be like “real” school, I just thought I would be spending my days cooking. Culinary school was, in fact, real school! I had to write essays. I did math, but it was food measurements and conversions. I did chemistry, but it was the science of ingredients. I learned so much.

When I finished my schooling, I tried to work in restaurants, but I faced what I believe was some sexism in that environment. No matter what I did, I couldn’t gain respect or recognition. I was always tasked with handling things like desserts or salads. It seemed I was only ever given the chance to cook when the guys wanted to go home early. The restaurant life was also challenging because of the need to work on weekends and holidays. I found that catering provided a lot more flexibility and creativity, so I went that direction. I worked for a couple of catering companies before finally branching out on my own.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not always been a smooth road to get to where I am today. While in culinary school, I became pregnant with my second child. Being surrounded by food while struggling with sickness was its own challenge, but I pushed through.

Later, when I decided to branch out on my own in catering, I faced a lot of resistance. It always seemed to come down to three things: I was young, I was female, and I was Black. I constantly felt like I had to go to the extreme to prove myself just to get one foot in the door. People doubted me so openly, sometimes before even giving me a chance. I’d hear things like, “But are you going to be on time?”—before they had any reason to question my professionalism or commitment. And when I was told I didn’t have enough experience, I couldn’t help but wonder—how does anyone gain experience if no one is willing to take a chance on them?

One client, who I’ve now worked with for years, was the first to take a chance on me. She gave me my first big event and told me, “I know you can do it, so do it.” I knew she believed in me, but I also knew that meant I couldn’t let her down. I was so nervous that I called my aunt for advice, and she told me something I’ll never forget: “You do whatever it takes. Even if you make no money on this event, even if you have to overstaff—whatever it takes to pull this off, you just do it.”

That event taught me so much, as has every event since—what to do, what not to do, how to be profitable, how to maintain quality, and how to work with all kinds of people. Every event is a lesson.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Shef’s Catering?
Shef’s Catering is a woman-owned business, and I take pride in that. The name starts with “She” for a reason—it’s a reflection of our identity.

We are known for delivering exceptional quality. Our clients trust that every dish we create will be thoughtfully prepared with the finest ingredients and attention to detail.

Rather than specializing in a single cuisine, we focus on mastering flavor profiles. No matter the dish, we strive for authenticity. If we’re preparing an Asian dish, for example, we don’t just shop at a regular grocery store—we will go to an Asian market to get the ingredients that will create an authentic flavor profile.

What matters most to you? Why?
For me, it’s family. Before having my kids, I felt lost—unhappy, confused, maybe even angry. When they came into my life, I saw them as the biggest blessings. They made me want to try harder, to keep going, to never give up.

Watching these little people I created, seeing their journeys in life and knowing I can influence their future—giving them a better life than I had—that is what’s most important. I believe we are here to give back, to share, and to grow.

Before them, when it was just me, there was not enough to keep me going. It was the kids—they saved me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.shefscatering.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shefscatering/

Image Credits
Portrait Photo by Blyss Gypsy Photography by Sasha Renee