Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Julia Chebotar. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Julia, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about how you got your first non-friend, non-family client. Paint the picture for us so we can feel the same excitement you felt on that day.

My first real client came through a bit of serendipity. I met his personal trainer, we started chatting about food and health, and she introduced me to him, a busy lawyer and single dad who needed help eating better without sacrificing flavor. I started meal prepping for him weekly, tailoring menus around his long work hours and his kids’ preferences. He’s still a client to this day, which feels like such a full circle moment.

That first yes gave me the confidence to keep going, and not long after my next client was Ryan Seacrest, who was following a diet based on his blood type. Cooking for him pushed me creatively and taught me how to personalize meals at a whole new level. Since then, I’ve had some wild experiences along the way, but those early clients reminded me that being a private chef is about so much more than cooking. It’s about trust, relationships, and helping people feel cared for through food.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m Julia Chebotar, a private chef, Food Network Chopped Champion, and culinary content creator based in New York City. My work sits at the intersection of health, creativity, and real life. I believe food should be both nourishing and exciting, which is why my approach blends clean, wholesome ingredients with bold, craveable flavors.

I got into this world because I’ve always seen food as connection. I trained as a health-supportive chef and health coach, then worked in restaurants before launching my own private chef business. Over time, I realized I could bring something different to the table by helping people eat in a way that supports their bodies without sacrificing joy or flavor.

Today, I run a full-service private chef business where I cook for clients, curate dinner parties and retreats, and create wellness-driven recipe content for brands. My services include weekly meal prep, special events, intimate gatherings, and creative consulting. I work with everyone from high-profile clients to busy families, designing menus that are seasonal, intentional, and deeply personal.

What sets me apart is my balance. I don’t believe in restrictive eating or trendy diets. I believe in food that makes you feel good, that fuels your body, and still makes you excited to eat. Whether it’s developing a low-glycemic dessert, teaching a cooking class, or styling a brand shoot, my focus is always on helping people reconnect with the joy of food.

I’m most proud of the relationships I’ve built, from long-term clients who’ve become like family to audiences who trust my recipes online. I’ve had some wild experiences along the way, from cooking for TV personalities to leading wellness retreats, but at the core, my work has always been about one thing: feeding people in a way that nourishes both the body and the soul.

What I want people to know about my brand is that it’s rooted in authenticity. I’m not chasing perfection. I’m creating real food for real life. Whether it’s in your kitchen, on your screen, or at your table, I want you to walk away inspired, energized, and satisfied.

I have also been on Alex vs America, Kitchen Crash, Cutthroat Kitchen, & Yes Chef!

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy for growing my clientele has been a combination of word of mouth, authenticity, and visibility through storytelling. My business grew organically because I focused on creating incredible experiences for each client first, whether it was a weekly meal prep, a private dinner party, or a brand collaboration. When people feel genuinely cared for and the food speaks for itself, they tell their friends, and that kind of trust is priceless.

Social media has also played a huge role. I treat it less like marketing and more like an invitation into my world, showing the behind-the-scenes of cooking, menu creation, and my real-life philosophy around food and wellness. That transparency builds connection, and connection builds clients.

Collaborating with aligned brands and being featured on platforms like Chopped helped too, but what’s really sustained growth is consistency. Every event, every meal, and every post is an opportunity to show my passion, professionalism, and personality. People may find me online, but they stay because the experience feels personal.

At the end of the day, my best strategy is showing up as myself, with great food, a sense of humor, and the intention to make people’s lives a little easier and more delicious.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

What helped me build my reputation within my market was consistency, integrity, and genuinely caring about every client experience. I have always believed that the energy you bring into someone’s kitchen is just as important as the food you cook. From the start, I focused on creating meals that felt personal and thoughtful, whether it was for a family dinner, a private event, or a brand shoot. That attention to detail and heart comes through, and people remember it.

Being on shows like Chopped definitely gave my work visibility, but reputation is built on what happens after the cameras stop rolling. Clients trust me because I listen, adapt, and always show up with professionalism and creativity.

Word of mouth has been my strongest marketing tool because people talk about how the experience made them feel, cared for, nourished, and impressed. That is what keeps my calendar full and my brand growing.

In the end, I think what set me apart is that I never tried to fit into a mold. I stayed authentic, focused on quality and connection, and let my work and relationships speak for themselves.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.healthchefjulia.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healthchefjulia/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-chebotar/
• Other: SUBSTACK
  https://healthchefjulia.substack.com/