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

Lasheeda, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about the best boss, mentor, or leader you’ve ever worked with.

I’ve been very fortunate to to have some amazing bosses and mentors throughout my career. My very first pastry chef boss was Chef Kimberly Cuthbert. She is the owner of Sweet Jazmines, a mother, wife, daughter, aunt, and just a wonderful human being. I first met her in 2009. I had just completed my freshman year at Johnson & Wales University. One of my chef instructors introduced us. I was looking for some summer work in the Philadelphia area and was beyond excited to make the 90 minute commute to her pastry shop in Berwyn, PA. Chef Kim immediately took me under her wing. I was extremely green! She was so patient with me and was always willing to share her skills and knowledge. I learned to make a lot of classical french pastries and desserts, and the true importance of making well balanced flavorful baked goods. Chef Kim has not only played a pivotal role in my career but in my entire life as well. I’m quite sure, I am the little sister she never wanted!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’ve always had a passion for culinary arts, and luckily for the sweet-tooth everywhere, this love has materialized into a successful and rewarding career. Prior to creating Queen of Flavor, I received my culinary education from Johnson & Wales University in Providence, RI in 2008. Immediately after graduation, I secured an entry level pastry cook position at Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas. Within five years into my career, I held the title of Executive Pastry Chef at Bon Appetit Management Company LinkedIn. A few years later, I would hold that same title at Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta and Beverly Wilshire.

Throughout my sweet culinary journey, I’ve received numerous awards and accolades. In 2012, several of my desserts landed on Philadelphia food critic Craig LaBan’s coveted Four-Bell Finest list. I have been featured in several magazines, which include The Atlantan, Pastry Arts Magazine, Bread Bakers Guild of America, and The Food Network Magazine, to name a few.

My days of competing started in the culinary classroom of a Philadelphia public school. That same competitive drive continued throughout my career and that hard work paid off in 2012 when I made my very first Food Network appearance on Season 2 of Sweet Genius. I was one of four pastry chef contestants who competed for the title of Sweet Genius and the grand prize. Chef Ron Ben-Israel was really impressed with my use of the mystery ingredient (jackfruit) and the overall execution of the dessert. I took home the title of Sweet Genius and a cash prize. This would be the first of many Food Network competitions.

In 2018, I appeared on Best Baker in America, Season 2, for a fast paced baking competition against eight respected pastry chefs. I was one of three pastry chef who made it to the final round. Unfortunately, I did not take home the bragging rights or the $25,000. However, I won in my own right by being crowned the “Queen of Flavor” by Chef Marcela Valladolid. Moving forward, I will now refer to myself as Queen of Flavor!

After competing against some of Amerca’s top pastry chefs, Queen of Flavor was ready for a new challenge. So, in 2021 I went head to head with an Iron Chef for Season 28 of Beat Bobby Flay. In the end, my signature dish was the judge’s favorite. Not too many chefs can say that they beat an Iron Chef, but the Queen of Flavor definitely can!

Taking on one Iron Chef just wasn’t enough for me! In 2022, I was back at it again. I was ready to flex her skills on Alex vs America, Season 3. There were two intense rounds and I brought my A game each time. At the end, I stood side-by-side to Chef Alex Guarnaschelli as the judges announced the winner. I gracefully walked away with second place, but I know I definitely gave Chef Alex a run for her money.

When not competing on Food Network shows, I travel around the country (Caribbean, too) lending my talent to various luxury hotels, nonprofit events, and teaching both virtual and in-person classes.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Eleven days after my eighteenth birthday, my mom passed away. Within the same month, I wrote my mom’s obituary, picked out my prom dress, delivered my valedictorian speech, and accepted a full tuition scholarship to Johnson & Wales University. This was definitely a very emotional and stressful time for. Despite this hardship, I had a wonderful support team at school, as well as family a some close friends of the family. My mom use to say that there is always someone who is doing worst or going through something more than you. She never gave us the opportunity to pity ourselves…we always had to be grateful for what I had. Looking back, this was her way of making me resilient.

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

During 2020 and 2021, I think it’s fair to say that the entire world was pivoting. As a pastry chef, I never thought in a million years that I would be working from home, but here I was. My kitchen apartment became the colorful backdrop for my virtual classes and. At first it was so strange to me because this type of work was never on my radar! However, I quickly adapted. I enjoyed decorating my kitchen to fit certain themes and occasions. Virtually inviting people from around the world into my home became extremely fun as well. Before I knew it, I was filming content for Food Network and Netflix. I, also started hosted virtual classes for large tech companies such as LinkedIn and Google. All out of the comfort of my kitchen. I was having a blast!       

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.queenofflavor.com/
• Instagram: @theequeenofflavor
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lasheeda.perry?mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/me?trk=p_mwlite_feed_updates-secondary_nav