We’re looking forward to introducing you to Demetria Olive. Check out our conversation below.
Demetria, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What is a normal day like for you right now?
Right now, a normal day is filled with to-do’s, grocery shopping, returning emails, and always cooking something. I just released my 1st cookbook, New To The Table, on Amazon, so, I’ve been really promoting that as well. Because I’m currently in my busy season with the holidays, upon us, I rely heavily on my Assistant, Sarah. She’s a life saver!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My curiosity with food all began with my 1st Easy Bake Oven given to me as a Christmas gift when I was seven years old. I was fascinated with the transformation of a few ingredients into something spectacular and tasty! I can’t tell you how many cakes and cookies I made for my family. I continued to pursue my curiosity with food and cooking in Home Economics classes in school, cooking classes with several chefs in Dallas and constantly cooking for family and friends without realizing this was a calling for me. I treated it as a fun hobby instead of a serious career. It wasn’t until the early 2000s that I decided to turn my “hobby” into an official at-home business. Although my siblings had always been in the restaurant/beverage industry, I had zero experience and couldn’t afford culinary school. My background was always retail and corporate. But the lack of experience has never stopped me from wanting to jump out there and try something, so I did it! My 1st catering job was for about 300 people with the AKA’s. YIKES! So, I asked several people for help with cooking, waiting and serving and it was absolutely crazy! But I survived and I had nothing but compliments all night. I knew that being a chef was who I was supposed to be at that moment. Over the years, I’ve had a full-time job, worked my own business and the hardest job of all… being a single mom. Once I was laid off from my last job and wanting to be there for my son, I made the choice to work my business on a full-time basis. So, for over 13 years, I am now a full-time Private Chef!
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who taught you the most about work?
My Mom, Joan, taught me more about work than anyone else – not just the kind you do for a company, but the kind you do for the people you love and for yourself. Through her role as a Mother, Wife, and friend, she showed me that real work is about commitment, compassion, and resilience. Even when life felt dim, she kept doing what was best for her and those around her. Her strength and example shaped my understanding of what it truly means to work with purpose and heart.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes! A few times actually. As with any entrepreneur, you have self-doubt, slow business, and/or life interferes. There was a period where I did give up for some time due to my divorce. As anyone can imagine, a divorce, especially with a small child, can take its toll and disrupt everything around you. For me, I couldn’t see remaining a small business owner and needing consistent income to live and care for my son. So, I found a 9-5 job and worked full-time for 9 years before having the blessing and passion to come back to what I love. So, here I am…15 years later.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My closets friends would say my family and my work ethic matter to me most. They know that without my family, I likely would not be where I am today. Their love and support have motivated me to continue and showed strength where I might have been failing.
They also know I approach my work with discipline, care, and a deep commitment to excellence. Every task is an opportunity for me to go beyond what’s expected, because my greatest motivation comes from the satisfaction and genuine reactions of my clients. Their experience matters to me, and I take pride in knowing that my dedication can make a meaningful difference.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: If you retired tomorrow, what would your customers miss most?
I think they would miss my bacon jam and Italian sausage stuffed shells with a tomato basil cream sauce! Other than their favorites, I think they’d miss how I treated each person as if they are my family. I share a part of who I am each time I enter a kitchen and begin to dice onions or create a homemade sauce for them. I express love through my food and I believe that comes out when they taste it and I see it in their faces…and that is what I’ll miss most.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.atouchofolive.com
- Instagram: @Dolivetouch
- Facebook: A Touch of Olive Personal Chef & Culinary Services
