We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Phillip Whitaker. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Phillip below.

Phillip, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?

For a chef, success can be multi-faceted and deeply personal, but it often includes a few common elements. Achieving a high level of skill and innovation in cooking. This includes perfecting techniques, creating memorable dishes, and continually improving one’s craft. Paying attention to detail, presentation, and flavor is always important things to pay attention to. Finding joy and satisfaction in the daily work of cooking and creating. If you have a vision or dream to achieve, I believe it’s never a smooth road. In every industry you have to do the impossible to make it to your goal. I worked in restaurants I didn’t want to, I worked long hours I didn’t want to, and I took pay cuts that I didn’t want to.

I was so focused on the passion and becoming an entrepreneur, I pushed through each day. But it’s all worth it when your customers are happy, and that’s when I know it’s only the beginning for me. You’re building a brand that takes time, patience, and dedication. For many chefs, success is about the passion and love they feel for their craft. Achieving career milestones, whether that’s running a successful restaurant, leading a kitchen, or mentoring others. Growth can also involve expanding one’s culinary repertoire or transitioning into new roles within the industry.

Phillip, 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?

He began his culinary career at the age of 17, where he attended and graduated from Le Cordon Bleu School of Culinary Arts in Atlanta. Chef Phil has worked in different restaurants such as Bistro Niko, one of Atlanta’s top French restaurants, P.F. Chang’s, where he was a Sous Chef, and even Waffle House. After years of working in different restaurants, Chef became an Assistant Pastry Chef at Pinewood Movie Studios, where he prepared desserts for productions such as Black Panther, Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, Being Mary Jane, All Eyez On Me, and more.

Since a young age he wanted to be an entrepreneur and decided to take that next step after gaining skills under many great chefs. Chef started his catering business full-time in 2019. CalosCo’s Catering & Bakery is the name envisioned by the Chef, which he gave meaning to “Excellence.” He has catered events such as Weddings, Birthday Parties, Baby Showers, Corporate Events, Celebrity Parties, Graduations, Homecoming Events and more. Chef has worked in a few different cuisines, such as American Cuisine, Italian Cuisine, Southern Cuisine, Caribbean Cuisine, Mexican Cuisine, Cuban Cuisine, Louisiana Creole, and more. CalosCo’s has catered for events up to 300 and more people. Chef is also a pastry chef and provides meal prep services.

Building on the success of his catering business, he is also a Celebrity Chef who has a number of famous clients like Chaka Khan, Chris Tucker, Reverend Jesse Jackson, Jacquees, and Quavo, just to name a few. He is currently working on his cookbook to be published soon. Our company’s slogan is “Taste So Good It’ll Bite Cha Back.”

CalosCo’s offers catering for a variety of customers, such as Weddings, Corporate Events, Baby Showers, Bridal Showers, Birthday Parties, Private Events, Homecoming Tailgates and more. Along with catering, we also offer Private Chef Services, Custom Homemade Cakes, Pastries, Custom Cupcakes, Chocolate Covered Desserts, Homemade Breads and more. We cater different cuisines like Italian, Mediterranean, Caribbean, Mexican, Latin, Persian, Creole, Asian, Hawaiian, Southern, and more.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

The culinary industry is notoriously tough, with a unique set of challenges that can make it both rewarding and grueling. I’ve worked 12 to 16-hour shifts, sometimes more, especially during busy periods like holidays, weddings or special events. Working in a hot kitchen, standing for long periods, and handling heavy pots and pans can lead to physical exhaustion and injuries. You will have many burns, cuts, and blister. I’ve started my day before dawn and finish late into the night, which can disrupt personal life and sleep patterns. There is constant pressure to deliver high-quality food consistently. Mistakes can be costly and affecting customer satisfaction. Chefs must handle unexpected issues, such as equipment failures, ingredient or shortages to name a few. The ability to think on one’s feet is crucial. The demanding hours and nature of the work can strain personal relationships and lead to a challenging work-life balance. The culinary field is always evolving, with new techniques, trends, and ingredients emerging regularly. Chefs need to keep learning and adapting to stay relevant. Achieving a high level of skill and creativity requires years of practice and dedication. Mastery of techniques and understanding of flavors are essential for success. The intense environment and long hours can lead to burnout, affecting mental and physical health. Managing stress is vital, but the high-pressure nature of the job can make it difficult to maintain mental well-being. Despite these challenges, many find the culinary industry deeply rewarding. The joy of creating delicious food, the satisfaction of a happy customer, and the camaraderie of working with a dedicated team can make the hard work worthwhile. Success in the culinary world often comes down to passion, resilience, and a willingness to face the many demands head-on.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

Many people have asked me this question. The only answer I have is “word of mouth”. This has helped my journey tremendously through a great amount of supportive clientele. “Word of mouth” can be incredibly powerful for a catering business, often serving as a primary driver of success. People tend to trust recommendations from friends, family, and colleagues more than traditional advertising. When someone shares a positive experience with a caterer, it carries more weight than a flashy ad or promotional material. A personal recommendation feels genuine and authentic, which can significantly influence potential clients’ decisions. It’s seen as a more honest form of advertising.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.caloscocb.world
• Instagram: @chefphil_calosco @caloscocb

Image Credits

Michole Kemp