We recently connected with Kenneth Minor and have shared our conversation below.

Kenneth, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?

Over the years there have been quite a few “defining” moments, especially as relates to my move from the healthcare field to the world of culinary. Before my journey as a chef, I worked as a business manager for a large neurology practice in Silver Spring Maryland. I was 28 years old and very proud of my corporate advancement in management and made good money.

One day sitting in my HR manager’s office and going over employee compensation and reviews, she said something that shifted me at my core. Note that I was a fun but firm manager and I believe that you get more out of employees when you evolve them in their success. So, I’m in the human resource manager’s office making her laugh and singing and playing around and she says to me “Boy you missed your calling”. I laughed back like I didn’t know what she meant but I did.

As I walked back to my office, I had this spiritual whisper -short of awaking – saying, Kenny, if you don’t leave this job to pursue your music career (the chef thing came later) you are never going to do it. That following month I quit and moved to NYC and I haven’t looked back. Those spiritual whispers I believe are destiny steps a bridge to the next in our lives, you should listen.

Kenneth, 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?

For over a decade I’ve been working as a chef, author, and educator. I’m passionate about ensuring at-risk communities have access to healthy, nutritious, and culturally appropriate foods. I own and operate as a private chef and owner of Chef Kenny Catering in New York City, My culinary philosophy centers around reimagining southern dishes as nutritious meals without skimping on flavor. Built on traditional Southern recipes I learned from my grandmother and accented with Southwestern and Asian influences.

Back in 2010, I realized that long-term discussions about the impact of food choices weren’t happening in communities of color. So, I launched the Eat for Life Project.

Through this initiative, I work hands-on with community residents to create healthier lifestyles through a balanced diet and form healthy, sustainable habits. The Eat for Life Project has led to collaborations with Whole Foods Market, Emblem Health, YMCA, Phi Beta Sigma, CUNY Urban Food Policy Institute, University of Wisconsin Stevens Point, and other community organizations committed to fighting childhood obesity. I’m truly grateful for the partners that have joined me in the food equity fight and look forward to making wellness a national topic on a world stage.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

Funny thing, I was just sharing my thoughts on “pivoting in business” with friends recently. Listen, I get it in the highly competitive business of commerce – defining your brand to maximize profits and target audience is key. However, I also believe that our need to make sure everything in our business model fits in this neat perfect box is killing innovation and creativity. And sadly, it’s creating a workforce that is 97% unhappy in their current role at work.

I believe we are all born creative and as we enter the workforce we have to fit a slot they need to leverage our skills and make money. That for sure was my story and the hardest thing for me when I first started as an entrepreneur was to rewire my brain into embracing all the unique skill sets I bring to the table for my clients. At my core, yes, I am a chef but I’m also enjoying producing projects for other brands. Bringing your whole creative self to your work offers more energy and impact for your clients but also leaves you more satisfied all around your life and the world around you.

Do you think you’d choose a different profession or specialty if you were starting now?

No, the calling of food and service has been the tread in all that I do. When you find something that gives you joy and connects you to people- stay with it!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.chefkenny.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chefkennyminor
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chefkennyminor
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenneth-minor-526ba4148/

Image Credits
I have the rights to all images.