Inspiring Conversations with Elena Pemberton of My Bff Chef

Today we’d like to introduce you to Elena Pemberton.

Hi Elena, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My BFF Chef grew out of a shared love of food, fun, and gathering people, but also from a deeper understanding of how isolating life and work can become.
Both of us come from hands-on small-business backgrounds. One of us (Aubra) grew up inside a family-owned construction business, watching her parents build something from the ground up through grit and determination. She later launched her own baking business while also working inside concrete and demolition companies, learning firsthand how real businesses operate day to day.

The other (Elena-Star) came up through food, art, and publishing, selling burritos and tamales like her grandmother, painting murals, running restaurants, and later coaching entrepreneurs across North Texas. As a veteran with friends and family spread across the world, community wasn’t just a nice idea, it was essential. Food became a natural way to gather people without forcing connection, simply creating a reason to be together.

We met through a local women’s coffee meetup and immediately recognized shared values. We both loved our businesses, but we also loved living. Outside of work, one of us (Aubra) races cars. The other (Elena-Star) surfs. Fun, freedom, and time mattered to us, and we wanted our work to reflect that.

My BFF Chef was the first idea that fully honored all of it. It combined food, creativity, and community without requiring a brick-and-mortar restaurant or constant grind. What started as casual cooking gatherings quickly turned into Flavor Parties, experiences that help people feel confident in the kitchen, connected to each other, and genuinely relaxed while doing it.

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?
It hasn’t been smooth, and we don’t believe it ever is when you’re building something meaningful.
We’ve both experienced the pressure and isolation that can come with entrepreneurship: long hours, financial uncertainty, constant decision-making, and carrying responsibility. COVID accelerated those challenges, forcing rapid pivots and lean operations.
Those seasons clarified what we didn’t want to build. We’ve seen what happens when growth outpaces alignment, and we were intentional about creating something that supports real life instead of consuming it.

Those struggles shaped My BFF Chef by contrast. We knew we didn’t want to create something that added stress or required constant hustle. We wanted to build something sustainable, flexible, and genuinely enjoyable, for us and for the people who participate.

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?
My BFF Chef is a community-centered cooking experience built around connection, confidence, and fun.

We specialize in Flavor Parties—guided cooking gatherings where hosts invite friends to cook together, share a meal, and enjoy the process without intimidation. It’s not about being a chef or following rigid rules. It’s about participation, laughter, and leaving the table feeling more connected than when you arrived.

What sets My BFF Chef apart is that it’s designed for real life. There’s no pressure to be perfect, no performance aspect, and no requirement to be an expert. We focus on approachable techniques, flavorful food, and creating an atmosphere where people feel comfortable showing up as they are.

Brand-wise, we’re most proud that My BFF Chef brings people together in a way that feels natural. In a time when so much connection is digital or transactional, we create space for people to slow down, cook, talk, and belong.

What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson we’ve learned is that people don’t just need a system, they need places to belong.
We’ve seen it firsthand around a kitchen island: when people cook together, taste as they go, and laugh through the imperfect parts, something shifts. Confidence grows, walls come down, and strangers start to feel like friends.
Growth without direction eventually leads to burnout, but connection creates energy. When decisions are made from alignment instead of pressure, businesses tend to last longer and feel better to run. That belief quietly guides everything we build, including My BFF Chef. Create from the center, and let growth follow.

Pricing:

• Flavor Party attendance typically ranges from $27–$47 per guest
• Hosting options and kits are set at $37

Contact Info:

• Website: www.mybffchef
• Instagram: @mybffchef
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MYBFFCHEF