Today we’d like to introduce you to Quisha Milton.
Quisha, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I am a Military brat. I was born in Germany & raised in Korea till I was 12. My dad’s family is from a border town here in Socal called El Centro. My mom’s family is from Jacksonville, Florida. Even though I grew up overseas, I spent every summer in San Diego and El Centro, California. I started cooking when I was eight, inspired by the likes of Julia Child. My very first dish with eggplant parmesan! By the time I was ten, I was making three different flavors of quiche and two different kinds of pound cakes and selling them during the holidays. We moved to LA county in 1996 to Lancaster.
By the time I was 12, my passion for cooking shown through enough that restaurant owners had hired me to cook their side dishes for certain soul food & fish fry places. In 2004, I dropped out a regular college and decided to go to culinary school. I attended the art institutes in Santa Monica, where I received my professional training. When I left culinary school, I attempted to open up a business with my mother which did not take off the way we anticipated. I was so devastated by the failure that stops cooking professionally for almost ten years. I never stopped cooking but I stopped cooking privately for people and for restaurants.
Great, 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?
Building up my confidence in this social media-driven age, to really put myself out there and put my passion and my work with food into the spotlight.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Southern Fusion Catering – what should we know?
Southern Fusion private Chef & catering is a combination what’s my growing up in South Korea and in Southern California with my mother’s Southern Roots. Despite what the name may say, I am not a soul food restaurant/caterer. Yes!!! I can definitely cook some soul food! But I am more than that. The southern in the name Southern Fusion really comes from just being south of everything my mom is from the south in America, I grew up in South Korea and spent my whole life to one degree or another in Southern California. So when you get my fresh grilled bbq chicken, you will have a side of fried yucca & grilled peppers, with a side of fresh fruit.
Along with incorporating the healthier options in meals, I offer wonderful vegan and vegetarian options that can be combined with meals, so as to get people Into trying more vegan-friendly options with their food. Sometimes going cold turkey into vegan for some people is very hard. I am also a 420 friendly Chef. I have an in-depth knowledge on infusing food with CBD & THC. I am consistently being educated on and learning new techniques in this particular field of culinary arts. I am Most proud of incorporating healthy and nutritious foods along with the hearty foods that we all love to eat. Stuff like our mom would make us but healthier! Even when soul food is requested there is still going to be healthy meal options.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Staying true to how I want to cook. But also being open to learn & try different things.
Pricing:
- 50% deposit required.
- Extra charge for short notice private chef & catering
Contact Info:
- Phone: (323)944-9679
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @southernfusion_catering
Image Credit:
@jamelmking(Jamel king, did photos) @alondonjod (Alex London, made jewelry in photo)
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