We were lucky to catch up with Camerron Kyle Dangerfield recently and have shared our conversation below.

Camerron Kyle , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

I am the most happy that I get the opportunity to create my own life and do it as a profession. In this world, there are many peaks and valleys and often times so much chaos that we can’t tell the difference. I am thankful that even in those chaotic times I am granted instant, happiness and gratification, because I get to do what I love every day. I get the opportunity to share my heart every day and it is the most fulfilling emotion..

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Chef Cam, aka Camerron Dangerfield, native of Chicago, IL is an Alabama A&M University alumnus taking the culinary world by storm. He prepared himself for a successful career as a celebrity chef, author, restaurant consultant, reality tv personality and entrepreneur when he decided to major in International Business w/ a concentration in finance.

He has also made time to return to his alma mater to advance Food Science programs during its Community & Global Health Fair, and also designing a state of the art on campus cafeteria and revitalizing its entire menu.

Chef CAM, is a chef with lots of personality, and lots of accolades to back it up! He is a 2x Food Network Champion with wins on Cutthroat Kitchen & Chopped, a Georgia Chef of the Year honoree, and was a participating chef in seasons 9 and 10 of Master Chef, hosted by world renowned Chef Gordon Ramsey. Starting humble as a self-taught chef, Chef CAM is no stranger to the ecosystem of a restaurant. Holding positions as dishwasher, server, FOH & BOH Manager, Sous Chef & Executive Chef he has shown his dedication to the industry. As a celebrity private chef you can see chef showcasing his talent with the likes Teyana Taylor & Iman Shupert, Toni & Trina Braxton, Rickey Smiley, Bravo’s Married to medicine and Real Housewives of Atlanta, VH1’s Love & Hip-Hop & Growing up hip-hop plus many more. As Chef Partner of restaurants across the country like Cultivate Food & Coffee, BLAQUE Cigar Lounge, Rusconi Pizza & Grill this is full display of what love is. Chef CAM, also resided as a Resident Chef on the NBC Universal daily talk show Sister Circle Live.

Always thinking of others, Cam has created many philanthropic endeavors such as the ‘Chefs For Change’ Challenge to meet the need and void in food desserts across the country. Over time, the chef has worked with big brands like Anheuser Busch, Walmart’s Repurpose Brand, Bolthouse Farms, Japanese Powerhouse Nakano Knives, Spiceology, HBCU Buzz, Emblem Olive Oil, and more. Plus, he’s even written a few cookbooks! Chef Cam has recently moved to Chicago where he is developing a culinary entrepreneurship curriculum at his Alma mater Rich Township 227. To continue his service work Chef CAM plans to launch a full service hospitality firm that will focus on revitalizing small & historic business in the food & beverage industry. He also plans to create delicious food offerings through a late night cooking show concept to be streamed through social media.

As a culinary architect, I help solve problems that many restaurant owners chefs, culinary creators, face every day. I lend my talents, experiences and creative eye to have restaurants who are struggling, become profitable, engaging to the community, and an overall success for owners.

I am the most proud that my brand has been born on true authenticity, Hardwork, vulnerability and faith. I want potential clients, followers, fans to know that I will continue to lead with a genuine heart as I plan to expand and continue to show people that your wildest dreams can still come true. I also want everyone to know that the good guys still do win, and you can still win with integrity, humbleness, and grace.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

As a first generation high school graduate, I Journeyed onto Alabama A&M University with a dream of success. During my time at Alabama A&M, the closest person to me passed away my grandmother. She taught me everything I knew about strength, food, family, and resilience. I thought that I would not be able to go on. She was what I will call my lifeline. She is the reason why I love cooking and the reason why I see it as magic.

During this dark period of grief and the challenges of being a third year college student, I began my brand cookingwithCAM. I took all of my saddest emotions and turned them into something that still connected me to my grandmother, but also gave me an opportunity to build community just as she would. I believe any story that can turn your life around as such as a great representation of resilience.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I really wish earlier in my creative journey that I knew the path to wealth and building generational foundations are not always dealt by your hand. I wish I knew earlier that you there are so many financial resources, such as grants, financing, crowdfunding, and using “other peoples money”. I believe this would help so many struggling creators get a head much quicker.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: cookingwithcam
• Facebook: Camerron Dangerfield
• Linkedin: Camerron Dangerfield
• Twitter: coookingwithcam

Image Credits
Jeremiah Drummond Photography Food Lifestyle TV