Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenni Burdette.
Hi Jenni, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Before I ever discovered it was okay to be a multi-hyphenate, I dabbled in a lot of jobs, colleges and careers before finding my calling. It took me years to break societal norms, climb outside the box of perfect expectations, and to find success in not just one thing but many. I currently teach yoga and Pilates and run my own personal chef business. It is possible to build your dream life.
When I started this journey, I knew I had to leave corporate. I’m creative at heart and although leaving a comfortable paycheck and benefits was hard, I knew that if I stayed in a lack-luster job I’d squander away my talents and passion. I had started watching one Youtube video a day on cooking techniques, trying different recipes, and after a year, my friends were all trying to convince me to go to culinary school. I had never been a cook, never worked in a restaurant and was scared to make the leap and go back to school (again). I attended Le Cordon Bleu in Dallas in 2013. That was my first big jump into my career as a chef. When I graduated, I had to start at the bottom in the kitchen in the restaurant industry that was tough and humbling. I was able to learn some good tools of the trade and learn from some amazing chefs but I was also sure that the restaurant industry wasn’t for me. I started doing private dinner parties on the side and working as a personal chef part-time for a family in Highland Park.
After I graduated, I also trained abroad for my yoga teacher certification. This really brought everything full circle for me because I had the tools to tap into my inner-self. My dinner parties had gained some attention on social media and I was able to build my business offering a service but also doing something a lot of other chefs didn’t – and that’s creating an experience! I am a slave to aesthetics, and creating a beautiful table-scape, designing florals and menu’s came naturally. After five years of teaching at Core Power Yoga, I was hired by TruFushion, where I currently teach, and they gave me my Pilates training to add to my wheelhouse. I look forward to teaching more than anything and it has kept my mind and body in sync. Food, for me, is life. With it we celebrate, count our blessings, and share a common bond. Food is a universal language. I am beyond blessed to create and share memorable experiences for all walks of life, whether it be a birthday, anniversary, wedding. These moments are best met with delicious food and love.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Culinary school was not easy for me. I was a self-taught home cook that was learning fine dining under heavy criticism from other chefs. When I decided to branch out and start my own business, there were no other personal chefs in Dallas that would allow me to “stage” – mentor under them. So I really had to build my business by a lot of trial and error. This also allowed me to create my own and incredibly unique type of service. When I initially did my yoga teacher training, I just wanted to get better at yoga and meditation. I really didn’t have the confidence to actually instruct. I had a very bad fear of public speaking. I had a very persistent community at CPY and they encouraged me to break out of my comfort zone. I remember the day of my audition I thought I bombed it so badly I cried all the way home. In the midst of my ugly sob, they called me and offered me a job.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a personal chef in Dallas, serving the entire metroplex. My work ranges from customized meal prep to private dinner parties, holidays, and events. I hand pick the freshest and highest quality ingredients daily for each client. Aside from being a chef, my services also extend to table arrangements, formal place setting, menu design and styling. My clients include mixed families with children, busy couples, retirees, those on special diets, and people who simply enjoy fine dining in their home. When you book a dinner or event with me you’re not just getting delicious, beautiful food. You’re also getting a completely custom, personally designed experience. My party stylings have ranged from Capri themed baby showers to romantic anniversary dates with candle-lit, rose-covered table-scapes.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I am mostly self-taught! Whether it be designing a class or an event, I am pulling ideas and inspiration from my own experiences and ideas!
Pricing:
- $100 an hour, personal chef. 3 hour minimum
Contact Info:
- Email: craftandharmony@gmail.com
- Website: www.craftandharmony.com
- Instagram: @craftandharmony
Image Credits:
Alexander Simoes
