Today we’d like to introduce you to Kanae Houston.
Hi Kanae, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Food has always been a driving force in my life; as early as the age of five years old, I knew I wanted to cook and teach. So, it only made sense for me to go to culinary school, which quickly led me to the fast-paced relentless world of restaurant kitchens all over West Hollywood, CA. With my hard work not going unnoticed, I was cast to compete on FOX Hells Kitchen, season 18 (currently streaming on Hulu and other major platforms) within my first three years of being a restaurant Chef. Competing in one of the toughest food competition shows around the world gave me that push to step out on faith and do what I’ve always loved; cook and teach. I started my brand ‘Always Homemade LLC’ where I offer private cooking classes for parties which are known for the ‘Cook and Sip Experience’. My brand also offers Catering, Private Chef Services, and seasonal Gardening/Food to Table workshops for kids and adults at my home garden that I’ve opened up to the community. My love for bringing joy through food has moved me to feed the homeless on holidays and whenever I can by utilizing food banks and food drives that give food to the community. I always look to give support with the gift of time; like partnering up with nonprofits like ‘Mor Girls With Goals’; an organization that caters to young Black girls finding their way through adolescents and striving to build a future. I host free cooking classes for the girls and participate in annual Career Days to give back because after all; the children are our future.
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?
Cooking has always come naturally to me, however, entrepreneurship has not by a long shot. The struggles of self-doubt, procrastination and the pressures of becoming a world-renowned Chef (what seems like came overnight) have been a test of my mental health, drive, and resilience. Navigating through the ups and downs of being my boss, employee, accountant and overall running a business comes with its learning curves but my passion for food and the joy I’ve brought to tens of thousands of faces and bellies is what keeps the fire burning. My favorite saying admit my struggles has been “And this too shall pass”.
As you know, we’re big fans of Always Homemade LLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Always Homemade is an umbrella company run and owned by myself Chef Kanae Houston offering Cooking Classes, Catering Services, Private Chef Services, and seasonal Gardening Workshops. I promote my work through my Instagram account ChefKanaeHouston where I create exciting food content. I’m mostly known for my presence on Fox Hells Kitchen season 18 (now streaming on Hulu and other streaming platforms) where I competed against 17 other Chefs to win an Executive Chef position at one of Chef Gordon Ramsay’s restaurants in Las Vegas, Nv. I’m most proud of what sets me apart from other Chefs which is my approach to cooking everything from scratch, down to my pasta, seasonings, and growing my produce; can’t get any more “Always Homemade” than that. I am best reached online at https://ConsultationWithKanae.as.me/ for consultations with catering, private parties, or cooking classes. Gardening workshops are seasonal and are posted on my Instagram account.
How do you define success?
Success to me is measured in happiness and peace of mind. My goals are set out in reach of those two things so if I attain happiness and peace, I will forever be successful.
Contact Info:
- Email: AlwaysHomemade365@gmail.com
- Website: https://ConsultationWithKanae.as.me/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chefkanaehouston/?hl=en
Image Credits
fromheavensview (INSTAGRAM)
