Rising Stars: Meet Chef Denise Smith of Anaheim

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chef Denise Smith.

Hi Chef Denise, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
From a young age, I was surrounded by the warmth of the kitchen and the joy of creating delicious desserts. As a military wife, I shared that love of food with my community by selling homemade desserts to local restaurants. When my husband completed his military service, he encouraged me to follow my own dreams—so I went back to school to turn my passion into a profession.

I attended Cerritos College, where I earned degrees in Small Business Management & Entrepreneurship, Professional Cooking, and Professional Baking. After graduation, I worked with a variety of temp services to gain experience across different culinary environments. Along the way, I had the incredible opportunity to work alongside world-renowned chefs including Michelle Bernstein, Suzanne Goin, Stephanie Izard, and Ludo Lefebvre.

When the pandemic hit, I joined Compass Group as a Sous Chef, where I also earned my Executive Chef Certification through the Culinary Institute of America. During that time, I was honored for my service in providing food in the community and I became the California Chapter President for the National Black Chef Association.

After nearly two years in the corporate culinary world, I knew it was time to follow my true calling—running my own business. That’s how GennieBee Catering was born.

The name GennieBee honors two remarkable women who profoundly shaped my life and taught me the true meaning of cooking: that food is about love, connection, and bringing people together. Every dish I create carries that same spirit—made from the heart, seasoned with love, and meant to bring joy to everyone at the table.

Because no matter what language we speak, when I hand you a plate of food, you’ll know that I love you.

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?
It hasn’t been an easy road. As an entrepreneur, I’ve learned that you have to be your own source of motivation—your own cheerleader. There will always be challenges and moments when things don’t go as planned, but I’ve discovered that success comes from how you adjust, learn, and move forward. Every obstacle has taught me valuable lessons about preparation and accountability. For example, I now make sure that clear policies are in place for cancellations and refunds, along with detailed information outlining each party’s responsibilities. Those lessons have helped me build a stronger, more professional business foundation.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am the Owner and Executive Chef of GennieBee Catering, where we create unforgettable dining experiences for our clients. We specialize in corporate catering, weddings, pop-up events, private dining experiences, and both individual and group catering events.

Every menu we design is fully customized to meet the unique needs and preferences of each client. We take pride in ensuring that every guest feels welcome and cared for—whether they have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle.

One of the things I’m most proud of is that GennieBee Catering is a family-owned and operated business. From my husband to my sons, every member of our family plays a special role in what makes GennieBee Catering truly one of a kind. Together, we bring passion, creativity, and love to every dish we serve

What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
The qualities and characteristics I believe are essential for success in this industry are:
• Be a self-starter. Success begins with motivation from within. You have to be willing to take initiative and push yourself forward, even when no one else is watching.
• Be open to criticism. Feedback helps you grow. Learning to accept constructive criticism is key to improving both personally and professionally.
• Be patient when teaching your staff. Leadership means guiding others with understanding and patience, helping them develop their skills and confidence.
• Always keep learning. The culinary world is constantly evolving. Staying curious and open to new ideas keeps your business relevant and innovative.
• Be willing to delegate. Sometimes you have to let go of certain responsibilities so you can focus on other areas that will help your business grow.
• Lead with heart and passion. When you truly love what you do, it shows. People can taste the difference when food is made with genuine passion and care.

Most importantly, always listen to your client. The event is not about you — it’s about the client and providing them with a worry-free experience.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.genniebeecatering.com
• Instagram: therealchefdenise

Image Credits
LAD film and production