Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Chelsie Dunning. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Chelsie , thanks for joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
The most meaningful project I’ve ever worked on has been my Foodie Meetups. Instead of keeping them limited to local content creators, I decided to make them open to the public and invite everyone. I wanted to bridge the gap between creators, small businesses, and the community. Bringing people together rather than keeping content creators behind a screen. When choosing where to host, I didn’t go by popularity or trends. local restaurants would personally call me, and I’d listen to their stories, and select the businesses that I felt needed more visibility and community support. My first event was at Tres Amigos Authentic Mexican Restaurant, where I gathered local creators and new faces to form what became our own little foodie community. The second meetup at Gus’s Fried Chicken was so full that people could barely find a seat. The connection between business owners, creators, and guests was amazing to see. The third one at The Streetery Food Hall took it to another level, with multiple businesses gaining exposure all at once. What started as a simple idea, eventually grew into a Fall Foodie Festival with over 20,000 attendees. Seeing something that began with community love turn into a movement of support and connection has easily been the most meaningful project I’ve ever worked on.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Hi, I’m Chelsie! I’m the creator behind Chet and Family, a platform where I blend my love for food, community, and storytelling. What began as honest food reviews quickly grew into a movement rooted in authenticity and connection.
I realized I could do more than review restaurants, I could help small businesses gain exposure and bring people together. That’s how my Foodie Meetups began, turning small gatherings into full festivals where local restaurants and food trucks share their stories with the community.
Along the way, I saw that many businesses struggle with social media, so I started helping them create genuine, engaging content that reflects who they are. From restaurants to car detailers to family-owned brands, I use storytelling to help businesses grow and connect.
What sets me apart is my personal approach, I take time to learn each story and bring it to life. Chet and Family is built on the belief that community and storytelling can change everything, and I’m grateful to help others shine through both.
How did you build your audience on social media?
I started my community when my husband and I created our food business, Heavy Plates 502. We’re a family-owned business based in Louisville, Kentucky. The purpose behind our business has always been simple: to support our family while living out a dream.
We launched Heavy Plates 502 in August 2020 after both losing our jobs during the pandemic. It was an incredibly challenging time to find work, so we decided to show my husbands talent off and begin cooking together to make it work. We started cooking from our two-bedroom apartment, just hoping and praying it would help us make ends meet. What began as a small idea quickly became a passion. I loved watching my husband cooking together and realized this was something we could see ourselves doing for the long run.
We truly believe God placed this opportunity in our lives for a reason. We started with only a handful of customers, and now, five years later, we’ve built a loyal fan base across several social media platforms, something we’re so grateful for.
Along the way, I began posting videos on TikTok, and a few of them went viral. That opened the door for something even bigger. I started a personal page where I shared honest food reviews just for fun, but in the past year, I decided to take it seriously. That’s how Chet and Family was born. From there, I’ve stayed consistent and continued growing a community built around food, small businesses, authenticity, and family.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
Being true who I am. I was born in rising eastern Kentucky. Living in the country taught me to make nothing out of something. You don’t have to have the most fanciest clothes, cars jewelry to define who you are. I’m still that girl in the mountains, and I brought my southern roots with me to the big city.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://heavy-plates-502.web.app/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chetandfamily?igsh=ZGY2ZDE0MjIxZGhh&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BfRFAuKiX/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@chetandfamily?si=kXgBmCE9jZlipOXs
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@chetandfamily?_r=1&_t=ZT-91EWdroWkHX
Image Credits
Emma Jaimes photography
Lazy Eyed Visionz
LS designs Media Group
Timeless memories professional Photo Booth