We were lucky to catch up with Julia Chebotar recently and have shared our conversation below.
Julia, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Owning a business isn’t always glamorous and so most business owners we’ve connected with have shared that on tough days they sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have just had a regular job instead of all the responsibility of running a business. Have you ever felt that way?
I have tried to work the conventional 9-5 corporate start up life. And it was NOT for me! After years of being in the restaurant industry I was tired, burnt out, and wanted weekends off. I left the restaurant world to work at a tech start up where I cold called all day and had to deal with corporate buracrtacy. Learning that I hated that lifestyle even more than the resturantuer life, pivoted me into opening my own chef cgency and brand, “Health Chef Julia” and “Health Chefs”. I want to be my own boss, I don’t want to be at an office daily, and I didn’t want to have someone holding me accountable except for myself. being able to see both worlds really opened my eyes to beable to grow into the company I have now and see the scalability in the future.
I did think a corporate 9-5 would be easier but the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. You really need to evaluate what is important for you and what parts of which position make you happy. For example my partner Tina handles all chef related issues, and bookings because i know i will not do it in a timely manner. But my role is more client facing, it comes naturally to me and doesn’t feel like work. So find what doesn’t feel like work but can also be fulfilling.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Health Chef Julia Chebotar is an award-winning chef and a Food Network’s Chopped Champion, Kitchen Crash Season 2, and Alex vs America. Based in New York City, Julia has nearly a decade of experience under her belt, she’s worked as an executive chef, private chef, and restaurateur to bring food to life through bold flavors, colorful ingredients, and some extra spice when necessary!
Julia has a passion for creating recipes and food solutions founded upon a healthy, sustainable and supportive lifestyle that is both fun and enjoyable. With a knack for social media marketing and public speaking, Julia has been able to cultivate a following of nearly 15,000 people across different social media platforms. She is constantly developing new and creative recipes and contributing content for notable media outlets, brands, and magazines.
Chef Julia has become known as a culinary expert who shares her knowledge on podcasts, corporate wellness seminars, virtual webinars, virtual team-building events, and virtual cooking classes.
Julia’s love for the kitchen started with her grandmother, whose love for food inspired her own! Julia was mesmerized by her grandmother’s skill and creativity in the kitchen––and so her own love affair with food and cooking began. By eight years old, she had my own apron, and she was calling the shots in the kitchen (you know how fiery redheads can be!). Julia is all about creating a combination of what tastes great and makes us feel good, inspiring a happy and healthy life, but don’t get her wrong––cocktails and cheeseburgers can be included.
www.healthchefjulia.com
www.healthchefs.com
How’d you meet your business partner?
We met on Instagram as many do these days. But about 7 years ago we met for coffee at Brookfield place. Where we discussed our lives as private chefs and how to navigate the waters in such a demanding field. Both like-minded, veggie-forward, and female entrepreneurs we clicked right away! For years after we would give each other work and send clients to one another. In Covid 2021 we decided to jump into the deep end and start a chef staffing agency! We saw a need for these services in the market and wanted to see how we could grow Health Chefs!
Our private chefs create a customized menu to fit your dietary needs, for weekly meal prep or for any type of event up to 50. They show up to your home ready with all the supplies needed to impress you and your loved ones. Meal Prep | Private Events | Women Nutrition Programs | Dinner Parties.
Julia Chebotar, based out of New York City, and Tina DeJesus, based out of the Hamptons, joined forces to bring together the best private chefs from Manhattan to Montauk. When Julia and Tina first connected they quickly realized they were both ambitious chefs who were passionate about providing sustainable and health-conscious meals for their clients.
They both believe that healthy eating doesn’t have to be bland or boring. They believe in using bold flavors, colorful ingredients, seasonal produce, and using only organic, grass-fed and wild-caught animal products.
How do you keep your team’s morale high?
open and transparent communication! Weekly check-ins, and payment structures for incentives.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.healthchefs.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healthchefjulia/ https://www.instagram.com/healthchefs/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-chebotar/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRbDGJJtEsbtmbl8KtmdbyQ
Image Credits
HEALTH CHEFS