We recently connected with Te’Ann Smith and have shared our conversation below.

Te’Ann , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

Thank you for taking the time out and having me today. As a professional with over 13 years of experience in the culinary industry, I have had the opportunity to experience both the glamour of sharing my culinary skills and the deprivation of resources and assistance.

As a professional with over 13 years of experience in the culinary industry, I have had the opportunity to experience both the glamour of sharing my culinary skills and the deprivation of resources and assistance. My family instilled in me the importance of helping those in need, as we never know when we may find ourselves in a similar situation. One of my greatest passions is passing on my knowledge of cooking to others, particularly children. I have participated in several meaningful projects such as teaching children how to cook and helping the elderly with their meals. I have found that by teaching children how to cook, not only are they learning valuable life skills, but it also helps with picky eating habits.
One of my fears is that as a society, we are losing the ability to learn how to feed ourselves. With the rise of quick-service and full-service restaurants, we are not learning the basics of cooking and meal preparation. I want to change that by teaching people, particularly children, how to go to the grocery store and create some of their favorite dishes that they would normally get at a restaurant.
In addition to teaching children, I also donate a portion of my time each week to a nursing home to help feed the elderly. I understand that for some of these individuals, these may be their last meals and I want to make sure that they are not just nutritious, but also delicious. I always make sure to cater to any dietary restrictions and put love and flavor into every meal. I take pride in knowing that the elderly clients I help look forward to the days when I come to cook for them.
Overall, I am proud of my ability to use my culinary skills to make a positive impact on others. I am dedicated to teaching and helping others, and I strive to make sure that every meal is not just nourishing but also delicious. I am passionate about passing on my knowledge and skills, and I believe that this sets me apart from others in my field.

Te’Ann , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Te’Ann Smith – chef, proud Youngstown Native, and avid foodie. As a professional with over 13 years of experience in the culinary industry, I have developed a passion for cooking from a very young age. I was born and raised in Ohio and have honed my skills over the years. My services include meal prepping, food delivery, and personal chef services for events and in-home settings. I pride myself on my diverse skill set and wide range of food and cultural knowledge. I am able to cater to a variety of dietary needs and I am always eager to learn about new diets. If you are

interested in my services, please feel free to contact me through my Instagram or Facebook pages. I am open to working with clients of all dietary needs and preferences, whether it’s a specific diet or just regular delicious food.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

As a chef, my mission is to empower individuals through the art of cooking. I strive to help others learn how to cook for themselves, as cooking has become an abstract concept for many, who feel that they just can’t do it and resort to paying someone else. While I do offer services such as meal prepping and personal chef services, my ultimate goal is to teach people how to cook for themselves. I recognize that many of our favorite recipes come from older generations, grandmothers, great-grandmothers, and even great-great-grandmothers. However, with the fast-paced nature of society today, a lot of the younger generations do not cook, which means that these recipes will not be carried forward for others to enjoy and connect to the past through food.
My mission is to reconnect the conversation between the generations and bridge the gap by sharing my knowledge and skills. My aim is to spread knowledge and promote slower cooking, to enable individuals to make informed choices about their meals, and to be able to cook for themselves.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Early in my career, I had the opportunity to work with a well-known chef. Upon my arrival, I was assigned to the salad station with a negative context and very clear doubt in my abilities; therefore, I quickly realized that the chef was not supportive of my professional growth. Despite their attempts to sabotage my progress and create resentment, I remained resilient. I truly believe working hard in all areas in important. I worked 150% at the salad station, as I worked through my feelings on imposter syndrome. I received valuable insight from a colleague who shared that the chef’s behavior was a result of their fear of my potential and the positive reception I received from my peers. He also pointed out that some men struggle with a woman who is self-confident and assertive, who knows what she wants, and is not afraid to speak up for herself.
This newfound understanding allowed me to reframe my experience and focus on my own growth. I continued to work at the restaurant for a year before making the decision to move on to a position that would bring me greater fulfillment. The lessons learned during this time have been invaluable and have helped me to develop a strong sense of self-awareness and determination. I have learned that resilience is key, and to never give up, even when faced with obstacles. I remind myself that I am my own biggest cheerleader and enemy, and it is up to me to choose which one I will be on any given day.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @cheftsmith
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cheftsmith1481
• Other: Email Cheftsmith14@gmail.com