Aug 156 min read

From Line Cook to Lion King

When I first moved to Charlotte in 2022, I knew four things; I needed to learn the city, I needed to meet people, I needed to have a reliable car and I needed to make money. What was I to do? Uber! Now, back in New York City, I joked around with the idea but I didn't really think it would work for me there. However, in preparation for moving here, I set up my account, went through the background check and completed all the onboarding steps to be ready as soon as I touched down. I literally started to drive for Uber within a week of arriving.

There are two things you will come to learn about me; I am very intentional about being a reflection of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and I believe if I are going to do something, then I am going to be the best version of myself in doing it. With that said, I was able to achieve platinum status as an Uber driver. Even though I knew it was not a long term career for me, it was what I was doing at the time and it was important for me to be the best driver I could. For the first month, I drove a rental car to provide rides. I kept that little Chevy clean, disinfected and smelling great for my riders! As that month was coming to a close, I had a decision to make, should I renew the rental agreement for another month or buy a car.

When I was initially considering purchasing a car, I wasn't sure that I should do it. However, knowing that I was able to afford the rental for the month, which was more expensive than my car payment, I realized that it made more sense to buy my SUV. Fast forward to the end of the month, Saturday to be exact, I still had not looked for a car and the agreement would have had to be renewed on Monday. I had taken my one hour break to jump on my prayer call that morning and it was a very powerful call. When the call was over, I would have normally went back to accepting rides but God inspired me to go to the car dealership instead. I didn't necessarily have all the money I thought I would need but I followed directions and went. Long story short, I drove my SUV off the lot that afternoon and my salesman drove the rental back to enterprise car rental for me. Glory to God! Right!

So now, I have this newer, bigger and more upscale vehicle to do my Uber rides. Again I still provided the same level of service to my riders. I got so many compliments on the SUV to which I would respond, this is "All God". For the next few months, I had a routine that worked for me and my family but I was starting to grow tired of constantly driving. I prayed to God one week about the situation...I really wanted to get back into the kitchen, but I also wanted to get commercial kitchen experience.

A few days after that pray, I got a ride request that I almost declined. When I got to the destination, there was a guy standing there looking slightly lost. I was sitting right in front of him but he kept looking at his phone and then looking down the street but didn't see me. I thought it was quite weird because I was literally RIGHT IN FRONT OF HIM. Now, in my mind, I said "this guy might be crazy" but I lightly beeped the horn to get his attention. He finally got in the car and we started the ride. As we drove, we had a really great conversation, I learned that he was an executive chef and I told him how I was a personal chef in NYC and that I am working on getting back into the industry but I was doing Uber in the meantime. When we arrived at the restaurant, Mimosa Grill, he told me if I was ever in the area to give him a call and he would get me a free meal.

Later that day, I had to find his contact information because Uber doesn't give that to the drivers. So I looked up the restaurant on google maps to get the phone number and left him a message. A few hours later I was out picking up some supplies from Office Depot and got a call, it was the Chef. He asked me to remind him of what I do, I told him again that I was a personal chef. He asked if I would be interested in working there. I told him that I was interested and I could come in on Monday to interview. He told me No, that I needed to come the next day, which was Saturday. In the restaurant industry, the interview is called a Stage, and the way it works is you go in and try out for the position. I would have to lose money to do it but I had just asked God for the opportunity to get back in the kitchen, so I told him that I would be there.

When I showed up, he introduced me to the kitchen staff, showed me the kitchen and shortly after gave me a chef coat, a knife and a cutting board. He told me to cut up some shallots and walked away. I stayed for about two hours. I finished that project and got on the line to experience the line cooks go through brunch service. It was so fast paced! As the orders came in one after the other, they quickly and masterfully produced each dish for the guests. I was in awe and at the same time scared that I would have a hard time doing that.

At the end, Chef sent me over to the PDR (private dining room) and asked me if I wanted something to eat. I took a Mimosa Omelet and went into the room and waited. After about 10 or 15 minutes, he came and told me that they thought I would be a good fit and asked me how much I wanted to be paid. I told him that I made a certain amount doing Uber and I would need to make that in order to leave it. He told me that they could not pay me that much but if I proved myself on the sauté station, they would be able to raise my pay. So, I said YES. I worked really hard to learn my station and became the best line cook that I could. After about 9 months and many staff changes, I was promoted to Sous Chef.

I was so proud of myself, becoming a Sous Chef in a fine dining restaurant was such an accomplishment for me! It is a very challenging position but it is also a great learning experience. I was still working on Shef Shaun's Kitchen but most of my time went to the restaurant. Again, knowing that I wanted to get back into my true passion of being a personal chef, I asked God for guidance and direction. I was growing tired of the 12 hour days and missing so much church. At the same time, I didn't want to leave my work friends. For a few months, I stayed and prayed but I knew I couldn't leave yet. It wasn't time.

Around my birthday, I met my first personal chef client and began working with them when I wasn't at the restaurant. One day that asked me what it would take for me to be able to leave and follow my dream of providing personal chef services full time. After that conversation, I began to work on planning what that would look like. Also, things at work started to align in a way that provided a an opportunity for me to leave my friends in a good position to continue running the kitchen successfully as I exited. So, on July 1st I gave my notice of resignation and began the separation process.

Fast forward to this week, August 13th, I was able to join Blumenthal Arts, Nourish Up and the cast of The Lion King for a Cooking with Shef Shaun demonstration. During that event, Courtney Oates, who is the Marketing and Events Director of Nourish Up, coined the phrase "From Line Cook to Lion King", which inspired and became the name of this blog post.

Thank you, Courtney!

I wrote this to share a story of hard work, dedication and most importantly listening to God, following his direction, trusting in his wisdom, and walking in the purpose he has for you.