Meet Ashonti Harris of Chef in Heelz in Euless

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashonti Harris.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Ashonti. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I am personal chef and caterer, mother, creator and Jill of all trades quite frankly. Yet out of all these things I mentioned I truly enjoy cooking and being a mother. Motherhood is what got me into cooking, to begin with. Starting a new life from being an entertainer for several years, I found myself pregnant with the perfect opportunity to start over and live a life worth living.

What’s the stage they call when your pregnant and obsessed with making your house a home, nesting. Yes, I went through a serious nesting stage with my firstborn, whom is now six years old, I just wanted everything to be right for his welcome into the world. I wanted to make sure I could give him exactly what he needed to grow into a strong young man inside and out. While on this journey food became ever so important to me as I fed my unborn, As I nestled into a new home with his father and started doing more family things is where my love and passion came for food. I was able to take ordinary things and put them together for family and friends and amaze them at my creative wit in the kitchen. I was just a novice then, had no idea what was really to begin. I fell in love with creating that experience and having people over to enjoy it rather weekend, holiday, weekday, I fell in love with the connections and memories we were making.

For as long as I can remember all I ever wanted for a big family of my own to raise, love and cultivate. Finally, I had the chance to do it and make it count. That’s where the fire started back in 2012. I had my son August 2012, healthy baby boy, we were so proud and happy. Together we began to raise him and start a new life with our new baby boy. I loved motherhood, I breastfed, made his baby food, the whole 9. Suddenly life came crashing barely three months after his birth when my baby sister passed away of suicide and likely heartbreak and loneliness. I had only lost one other person that was close to me but never this close, I was spent. Suddenly, I had no idea what to do with myself, but I had an urge to do something, anything to keep going towards my goals and get my mind of her in a positive way. So, sitting at home with my newborn one day I saw an ad for Le Corden Bleu and knew this is what I wanted for the next chapter in my life and the very next day I was touring the school and enrolling for the coming semester. Now that’s when all the magic started.

While in school, I excelled because I already knew how to cook, I just wanted formal training and the paper. I started Chef In Heelz about six months in culinary school due to needing to help my family sustain after the storm. I simply started by posting on Craigslist as a personal chef for families and individuals, selling plates to the local businesses and entrepreneurs in the neighborhood. A few people trusted me and gave me a chance along with family and friends always having my back. Once I started figuring out the lingo of things, I knew I wanted to challenge myself and do some events so I looked for vendor spots at any event that would let me come and the first two I found really rung home to me. My first was at Booker T Washington High School of Performing Arts, and it was just such a dream to be there with my food. I had no idea what to expect. I was late, it was raining, they didn’t have carts for me to bring my food and equipment in. I remember some young kids in the parking who were so kind to help me bring my things in and set up. I happened to be the only food vendor there so when I got there with my cabbage rolls smelling all good and filling the room with essence everyone was excited, yet I was nervous as all get out.

As I set up a line started and some came to see what I had and kept it moving, some bought, some waited but surely enough the ones who waited or kept it moving came back once they saw how everyone else was enjoying it. It was great, of course, you have some people who are reluctant to try new and other people’s food. That’s why I’m so incredibly grateful for every client that has ever bought something big or small, told a friend, shared, reposted, just all the constant support from people who love good and want to see you win. My 2nd huge event really tested me, and I proved to myself that I have no limits and bounds, I CAN accomplish anything I want to. I searched again for an event that could really set me up in the community with a good name, but I wanted to donate my services and I wanted it to be a cause that I 1000% supported. I found the South Dallas Aids Walk, which at that time struck really close to home for me and my family so I called up Aunt Juan and introduced myself.

Asked if he was looking for any food sponsors and he told me he was, so I’m gathering information and realize that his event in three days and it’s for 1000 expected guest. I’m like oh gosh what did I just commit to. How am I going to do 2000 or even 2500 tacos and sides? Let alone get it there to the venue. Well, I did my research, and between me, my child’s father and one of my high school friend, we got 2000 tacos made with rice and fruit for 1000 people in my two-bedroom Carrollton apartment. I was so proud for this to be my first huge event, amazed at my strength and so dog gone tired. That was back in 2013 when I officially became a business owner and it’s literally been history ever since. One by one, each private dinner, family dinner, corporate lunch, brunch party, birthday party, anniversary, engagement, wedding, just because you love food, everything day gets me closer to closer to my dream of a community source of food, education, empowerment and growth for our children and young teens.

Has it been a smooth road?
It has been smooth if it hasn’t it was flaws on my behalf and learning curves. For example, learning to prioritize and delegate time when you have it so you can always be properly prepared versus running behind. Also learning that as an entrepreneur I can’t run myself into the ground working. A work-life balance is critical for survival.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Chef in Heelz LLC – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I am a personal chef who specializes in creating signature moments no matter the occasion at hand. No occasion needed but appetites and an open mind are. My creative wit in the kitchen will have surely your taste buds dancing.

My clients are more than clients to me; they are family. I love to take care of people it’s just the hospitable side of me, to make sure everyone is taken care and happy. I practice this same model in my business and go over and beyond for my clients to give them what they’re seeking and more. It’s all about the experience they have with me that is important.

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I love Dallas. There is no place like and I’m not even from here. I love the family vibe Texas brings in general. Dallas is a very sassy, and upcoming city with so much culture and talent coming from the soul of it. I love how the entrepreneurs especially ban together and work to grow each other’s dreams

Pricing:

Contact Info:

• Website: www.chefinheelz.com
• Phone: 2142295943
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: Chefinheelz
• Twitter: Chefinheelz
• Yelp: Chefinheelz
• Other: Linked In : Ashonti Harris

Image Credit:
Ashonti Harris, Joseph Jenning Photography

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