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

Hi Shania, thanks for joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

Decadent Chef’s Mission is to assist people who have an autoimmune disease and families in learning how to eat everyday foods in a healthier way. The story behind this statement is that when I was 14 years of age, they diagnosed my parents with HIV. Growing up, I would watch my parents go through their bouts of getting sick because of their diet. I joined the military and cross-trained in the culinary field. Then I obtained my culinary degree in 2007. The plan was to learn how to adjust the process of how my parents were making meals to make the meals healthier. I decided at that point to start my business in 2013 after my dad passed. I developed natural seasonings, sauces, and marinades for health-conscious families.

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 name is Shania Elliott, I was born and raised and Brooklyn, NY. The youngest of 3 children. I joined the military in 2001 to better myself. In 2007, I moved to Charlotte, NC with my three children. I received my degree in culinary arts in 2008, and in 2013, I received my Associate’s LPN. I started my business, Decadent Chef, in 2013. In 2020, I became an author and since then I have written in four anthologies and two cookbooks. I got into the culinary industry when I was young. I always loved to cook, especially with my dad. My business caters to those who have autoimmune diseases and who want to continue eating everyday food but find healthier ways to prepare and eat. My seasonings, sauces, and marinades are salt-free and taste amazing on food. The thing I am most proud of is that my business gives opportunity for me to bring my family in on some things. We have started the seasonings together, and they have become authors by writing in my cookbook. What I would like for potential clients to know is that I believe that the palette is the key to your soul and God has gifted me with the talents to be one that feeds you. I am a five time best-selling author and a two international best-selling author my cookbooks titles Sava Jewels and Breaking Bread which come out the beginning of December.

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

I had to pivot when I got pregnant with my son. I thought I could carry him and still continue to cook, but I had a hard pregnancy and a harder delivery. After having him, I suffered in silence from postpartum depression, which hit my business and even my relationship. I learned in that season that I had to trust that God had a better plan for me. In what he did, I became an author when I wasn’t expecting it at all.

Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?

How I met my cofounder. She was my barber for about 2 good years before we started sharing recipes. After that we became family and then we decided that she would become my silent business partner.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: savasjewels

Image Credits
Culturevistacouture Cedric Blackwell