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

Kai, appreciate you joining us today. What do you think it takes to be successful?

To be successful it takes commitment, determination, positive thinking, creative expression and a little bit of selfishness. One doesn’t thrive without the other. I remember when I started my culinary career about 24 years ago and I knew the career path I was about to embark on was not going to be an easy one. First of all, I jumped into the culinary arts field back in the late 90’s when women were the minorities in professional kitchens. Working in professional kitchens of restaurants was a male dominated field. And it was hard work trying to climb your way to the top of the line to be executive chef. I worked tirelessly as a music publishing assistant in the music publishing business to pay my rent, then on alternating evenings I attended culinary school and worked as a line cook for famed actress Pamela Anderson’s restaurant Sanctuary. My determination, positive thinking and commitment has led me to opening 2 catering companies and launching my new product line Creations By Kai.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My career began as a journalist covering the biggest names in the music industry at the Urban Network and Chrysalis Music Publishing, where I interviewed the top music and radio talent in the late 80s. Despite my successful career in music journalism, I often found myself literally falling asleep reading The Joy of Cooking. On stressful days, I would unwind by cooking, baking, and refining my recipes into the wee hours of the morning. Realizing this was my passion, I quit journalism and enrolled in culinary school at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, France.
After completing my culinary training, I went on to work at high-profile restaurants, including Pamela Anderson’s Sanctuary and Wolfgang Puck Catering & Events. It was then I realized my unique and modern approach to cuisine – highlighting bold flavors influenced by my California upbringing and her African American, Creole, and Cuban roots – filled a void in the culinary world.
I took a leap of faith and branched out into the private chef business, where I worked with some of the biggest celebrity names. After seeing my culinary creations resonate with celebrities, politicians, musicians, and athletes around the world, I was motivated to share my favorite flavors on a wider scale – that’s when I created Creations by Kai, a collection of spices and lifestyle products inspired by my unique culinary ethos.
Today, I continue to work with celebrities as a private chef.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I had to pivot in my career in the middle of 2020 during the COVID pandemic. I had a very bad work related accident where I fell and broke my patella bone and had two major surgeries and was home for 1/2 a year recovering, physical therapy and learning how to use my knee and walk again. During my lengthy home recovery I was convinced that I was going to give up working in the food business and concentrate my efforts on something else. That something else I had no idea what it could’ve been because for the past 24 years I have dedicated my career to being a chef and having creative expression. I ultimately created CBK…Creations By Kai (ultimate spice collection), but I was still dealing with the insecurities of what if I will never be able to work on my feet again. Ultimately I had to unlearn my old way of thinking that I can get healed and carry on to continue working and release a product line with my name attached to it. Ultimately I had to believe that this wasn’t the end of my culinary career but just the beginning to a new accelerated journey of greater achievements that encompass everything I’ve worked 24 years to grow and build. A product line, cookbooks and the ability to trust that in the end everything works out for the better.

We’d love to hear about how you keep in touch with clients.

Make a commitment to excellence and creative expression.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.chefkaichase.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chefkaichase/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChefKaiChase/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kai-chase-59440721/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/chefkaichase
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/chefkaichase

Image Credits
Chef Kai Chase