We recently connected with Kelsie Penn and have shared our conversation below.

Kelsie, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

My parents are nothing short of beautiful and amazing. They have high morals. When it comes to perception, attitude, loyalty, honesty, knowing right from wrong and being true to one’s self and values. Those ethics have shaped me into the woman that I am today. All teenagers typically want to rebel but the older and wiser I get, the more I realize that I want to continue to be just like them in multiple ways.

They’ve always spoiled me yet made sure I received everything — but from an appreciative not expecting standpoint. I was not spoiled rotten. I love certain key points that I went through such as getting my first taste of diversity at a young age. I’ve lived in an array of different cities starting from Harvey, Blue Island, Homewood to West Torrance , CA plus more. Being able to live in such completely different areas with a plethora of different races, has helped me interact and thrive an any situation or environment today.

Also, I love how nothing was truly forced upon me on the creative aspect. I was given the freedom to pursue and decide what I wanted to be in life and ultimately, what I wanted to believe in life. A lot of people are forced with their guardians dreams, religion and way of being. I was able to decide for myself what I liked and disliked which is why everything about me is very natural and organic. If I promote and stand for something, it’s because I truly liked it by choice, not default.

Ultimately, I love my parents with all of my heart! I can not wait to give back to them 100 fold when it’s my time to shine. They deserve nothing but the world and then some.

Kelsie, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Hello,

My name is Kelsie Jordan Penn. I also like to go by Chef Kels and Jai.

I am a Chicago Native in my 20’s navigating through life and aiming to align my dreams with my intentions. I specialize in vegan cuisine, taking staples that we love and adore and transforming them into a healthier plant based version that still tastes awesome. I am in the works of releasing my first product — which is my delicious vegan cheese sauce that is also gluten free, soy-free and low on carbs and calories. Also, stay turned for my food to be on wheels soon!

Health is really important and I feel that I put that in the forefront of my mind and goals when it comes to my customers and/or viewers — ultimately setting me apart from my competitors. A lot of businesses are so focused on the taste and/or looks of their products — that unfortunately the nutritional/core part of it gets compromised.

When I’m not in an apron, I am focused on mental health, positive outlooks, research and health & beauty. I have started a growing YouTube channel where I plan on providing guided mentorship, advice and tips on mental health, beauty with occasional cooking tutorials thrown in. That channel can be found by typing in Kelsie Jordan in the Youtube search bar. I also have a new Tiktok named “KelsTheMadScientist” that I am using as a platform to release any and all information/fun facts about the world — a lot of it will be shocking but at the very best, it will be entertaining and unique to look at.

I am proud to have God included in my journey each step of the way. Together, we will continue to create and put out great things.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

As I’ve stated previously, a major resource that I wish I would have tapped into earlier , is my spiritual family. There has been so many ups and downs throughout (but not limited to ) my creative journey that I thought I was alone most of the time. It wasn’t a good feeling.

Until I decided to learn more about God, Jesus and His Angels, that’s when I realized that I was not alone at all — but indeed, protected. I can now walk around in confidence & faith now, knowing that everything will pan out exactly how it is supposed to and it brings a grand sense of peace and gratitude even when there’s times that you might feel nothing is worth being thankful or happy for.

Getting closer to God and finding/renewing my faith has been a huge game changer for me. It has changed me tremendously when it comes to living in my truth, being strengthened enough to push forward and too overall, just trust the process. Everything will be more than okay.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist or creative is 1. living in your truth and 2. freedom.

As an artist, you can be creative as you’d like to be. A lot of us, are taking what’s in our head (thoughts, emotions, visions, desires, etc..) and expressing/bringing them to life on the physical plane where we’re presenting it out to the world to be heard and seen.

Without Art & Creativity, the world would be nothing. Just look around. This laptop I’m typing on was someone’s thought, the books that are on my bookshelf has helped and inspired in so many ways, the music that’s calmly playing in the background is necessary and very essential to staying sane and motivated. Look at the team of creators that helped build this platform, interview and magazine, all amazing and game changing. Lastly, look at yourself, look at nature, all created in God’s image. Figments turn into inventions.

You never know what you can do with an idea and you never know where that idea can take you and help others.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: _ChefKels
• Youtube: Kelsie Jordan
• Other: Tik Tok: KelsTheMadScientist Plant Based Youtube Cooking Tutorials – KelsKitchenPresents