Today we’d like to introduce you to Imani Fox
Hi Imani, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’m often asked how a girl from Jersey ended up cooking Southern Soul Food in Los Angeles, so here it goes! I was born and raised in New Jersey in a close-knit family, and I followed in my mom’s footsteps by attending Howard University, where I studied journalism and Spanish. After graduating in 2017, I moved to New Orleans and began my journey as an elementary school teacher. I spent four years teaching in New Orleans, but food was always a passion of mine, even as a child. During college, I worked in restaurants for extra cash, but living in New Orleans really reignited my love for food.
Cooking became my escape after long days of teaching. It wasn’t just about the food itself. It became a way to unwind, express myself, and connect with others. I found so much joy in preparing elaborate meals for friends and family, and food quickly became my happy place, a way to bring my community together.
When the pandemic hit, I started an Instagram account called Flavor of Fox, thinking it would be a fun way to share my favorite recipes, restaurant finds, and food experiences. What I didn’t expect was how much traction the page would gain. Within weeks, people began messaging me, asking if I could cater events for them. What started as a hobby quickly turned into something real, and before I knew it, I was catering everything from intimate baby showers to milestone birthdays, and even backyard wedding ceremonies.
After a few successful events, I realized that catering could be something I took seriously. I filed for an LLC, invested in the necessary equipment, and slowly but surely, Flavor of Fox grew into a thriving personal chef and catering business. After two years of building the business in New Orleans, I felt ready for a new challenge and saw more potential for growth. Taking a leap of faith, I decided to move to Los Angeles and see if I could bring Flavor of Fox to life here.
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?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. A lot of this journey has been about betting on myself, which isn’t always easy. Having strong faith has been crucial—it’s given me the courage to take risks that others might not have understood or agreed with. After I left the classroom, I transitioned into a full-time remote corporate job, which I held onto for the last four years while growing Flavor of Fox on the side. One of the biggest challenges I faced was starting over in a new city. In LA, I had to really hit the ground running—building relationships, nurturing connections, and establishing a name and reliable reputation for both myself and my brand.
This year, I started to see a shift in the trajectory and momentum of Flavor of Fox in LA, and I realized that if I wanted to keep growing and taking on new opportunities, I needed to let go of my safety net. As someone who has always worked a traditional job, ultimately making the decision to leave wasn’t easy. But after a lot of prayer and thoughtful conversations with my family and friends, I came to understand that I wouldn’t be in this position if I wasn’t ready for it.
Since taking that leap and leaving my job, I’ve had the incredible opportunity to work as a personal chef for one of my favorite artists and cater events for brands, businesses, and even celebrities. While it’s been rewarding, it’s also been extremely challenging at times. What’s abundantly clear to me is that stepping out on faith was the right move for me.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Flavor of Fox ?
Flavor of Fox is a Black woman-owned, full-service private chef and catering business, specializing in Cajun Soul Food and Seafood. I’m best known for my Jerk Chicken Egg Rolls and Signature Bourbon Glazed Bread Pudding. What truly sets Flavor of Fox apart is my unwavering commitment to customer service. My clients quickly become like family, and their experiences with me motivate them to continue working with Flavor of Fox for milestone events, while also referring me to their own friends and families.
One of the things I’m most proud of is my ability to build and maintain strong relationships—not just with clients, but with my team and industry colleagues as well. Of course, I also take pride in consistently exceeding my clients’ expectations. I work with a dedicated team that stops at nothing to ensure your experience with us is the best it can be. I’m also extremely proud of the team I’ve built in Los Angeles. I believe that your team is a representation of you, and the feedback I receive from clients after events affirms that I’m on the right track!
I want readers to know that I’m genuinely excited about the prospect of catering for them. I treat every opportunity with the same level of care and passion, whether it’s a small birthday brunch or a large-scale event like a bridal shower, engagement party, or wedding. My goal is always to bring my clients’ visions to life through food and create memorable experiences that leave a lasting impression.
I’m really excited to share that I’m currently working on a holiday-themed e-cookbook, which will be available soon. It’s something I’ve poured a lot of love into, focusing on festive, flavorful dishes that bring people together during the holiday season. I can’t wait to share it with everyone! Details can be found on my instagram @flavorofox
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Life is all about taking risks. I truly believe that when we not only take risks but also put in the work to achieve the outcomes we desire, we’ll always be rewarded in some way. I was raised in the church, and my relationship with God has taught me to trust the process and stay faithful, knowing that things are always working out the way they’re meant to – and at the end of the day I’ll always be okay.
As a business owner and entrepreneur, I believe at least 50% of success comes from being willing to take risks. Not everything will turn out the way you expect or plan, but without risk, there’s really no reward. The key is to stay committed, stay adaptable, and keep moving forward even when things don’t go as planned.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://flavorofox.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flavorofox/
Image Credits
Troye Mosley
