We recently connected with Sophia and have shared our conversation below.

Sophia, appreciate you joining us today. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

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I’ve been able to turn my creative work into a full-time career, but it definitely wasn’t a straight path. I grew up in a Greek-Italian household where food was the center of everything. I learned how to cook from my parents at a young age. School was never my strong suit—I had a hard time focusing and didn’t really know what direction my life would take. For a while, I thought I’d end up in beauty school and just “figure it out” from there.

Last minute, I decided to go to culinary school—even though I already knew how to cook. After graduating, I went straight into working on the line, and honestly, I hated it. I gave it a few tries, but it just didn’t feel like the right fit. I’d cry myself to sleep feeling like the food world was so small and I didn’t belong in it.

So I pivoted. I started cooking from home and sharing my dishes on Instagram. That changed everything. One opportunity led to another—clients reached out, videos started gaining traction, and word-of-mouth began to spread. From there, I landed spots on Food Network’s Chopped and Family Food Showdown, and eventually, I was honored with a 30 Under 30 entrepreneurship award.

Now, I’m a full-time private chef and caterer. I cook for celebrities, high-profile clients, and everyday people—it’s truly my dream job. Looking back, I wouldn’t change a thing or try to speed up the process. Creative work isn’t linear, and I believe it’s supposed to evolve alongside your life. I am my brand, and I’m constantly growing and changing.

Every day, I wake up striving to be a better businesswoman and creative. I say yes to almost every opportunity because I truly believe the sky’s the limit. That mindset—and that passion—is what’s gotten me here.

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.

Today, I run my own business as a full-time private chef and caterer. I design elevated, custom culinary experiences—from intimate dinners to luxury events. I’m known for bold, flavor-forward cooking, blending my cultural background with modern, playful twists. I also create digital content, collaborate with brands, and appear on TV—like Chopped and Family Food Showdown. My work has led to incredible honors, like being named to a 30 Under 30 list for entrepreneurship.

What sets me apart is that everything I do is deeply personal. I don’t just cook—I create experiences that feel warm, memorable, and full of soul. I work with everyone from celebrities and high-profile clients to families celebrating special moments. Whether it’s a wedding, a private dinner, or a pop-up, I put my heart into every bite.

What I’m most proud of is building this from the ground up without a blueprint. I didn’t have connections or a plan—I just stayed true to myself, said yes to opportunities, and kept evolving. I want people to know that my brand is rooted in passion, hard work, and authenticity. I believe food is a powerful way to connect, celebrate, and create lasting memories—and I’m honored to be a part of that in people’s lives.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

Facebook groups! Especially the mothers groups.. women are always looking to get a recommendation. Have your friends and family write about your business and upload photos! It’s incredible how much work I get from them.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

Most of my close friends aren’t in the creative world, and that can make it hard for us to fully understand each other’s experiences. I often hear them talk about workplace dynamics—bosses, coworkers, the structure of a 9-to-5—and while I respect it, it’s just a very different reality from mine. As an entrepreneur and creative, there’s no guaranteed paycheck or clear path. You have to take risks, be self-motivated, and stay adaptable at all times.

One thing that might be hard for non-creatives to understand is how much of this journey is driven by passion and faith—both in yourself and in what you’re building. If that passion isn’t there, it’s hard to keep going, especially when things get uncertain. For me, what keeps me grounded is my mindset. I stay positive, even in tough moments, and I truly believe that energy and faith carry me forward. That sense of purpose is what fuels my creativity—and my business.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ShopChefSoph.com
• Instagram: @ChefSoph
• Facebook: Sophia Manatakis
• Linkedin: Sophia Manatakis
• Other: Sophia-Manatakis is my tik tok

Image Credits

Jone