Meet Ashtian Beck

Thanks for sharing your story with us Ashtian. So, let’s start at the beginning, and we can move on from there.
Born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan, In the kitchen with my grandmother was where the warmth of shared memories, laughter, and life began for me as a child. It did not take me long to realize I could turn my childhood passion into big-city dreams. At the age of 16, I had begun working in the industry while also attending a vocational school for culinary arts on top of my general studies. Upon graduation from high school and the birth of my daughter, I made my first attempt at college, but it wasn’t the right time. I continued to educate myself through a combination of work experience with upscale restaurants, catering companies, and travels, which enabled me to enhance my knowledge of regional and cultural fare.

In 2009, my passion developed further when I moved to Texas, gaining a rich appreciation for local, sustainable cooking and the bold flavors that are associated with Texas cuisine. Now that Texas was home, in 2011, I decided to make my second attempt at college. Once again, it was not the right time. However, I was given several great opportunities in-between time to share my passion with others including charity events with The Dallas Cowboys and The North Texas Food Bank, Rangers’ Ballpark Opening Day Ceremony, The Byron Nelson Golf Tournament and the opportunity to share my passion with families all across the DFW metroplex. Fast-forwarding three years and three babies later in 2014, I graduated from Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts with an Associates of Applied Science Degree and am currently pursuing a Bachelors Degree in Culinary Management. To me, family is not an important thing, it is EVERYTHING! My mission is to bring families back to their dinner tables to enjoy home-cooked meals while re-connecting with each other after a long day. I completely understand the need for working families to simplify their lives and find better work-life balance

I am dedicated to providing affordable, freshly prepared cuisine made from the best ingredients, and I enjoy working with different people and different palates to create the best possible meals to fit their needs and tastes.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. From trying to figure out this whole entrepreneur thing while still working full time to the daily challenges of motherhood (ages 13, 6,5,4). On top of the questions that I ask myself every day…

“Who am I?” “What am I made of?” And “Do I like what I see?

However, 2019 has been my year of growing spiritually and learning to trust and lean not on my own understanding. And realizing, I AM fearfully and wonderfully made!

Alright – so let’s talk about your work – what should we know?
Ashtian Beck Private Chef and Catering’s goal is to be a multi-brand franchise. While I am offering customized Private Chef services, I also offering catering – no event too big or small, cooking classes, weekly meal delivery service by brand One Messy Kitchen All about reinventing dinner, providing a seasonal weekly meal delivery service. Together we are pulling from the favorite recipes we grew up with, reinventing some of the oldies but goodies, that are just too good not to share!

Having dinner around a table with home-cooked food is somewhat of a lost tradition these days. We sincerely believe that getting back into the kitchen and making your own food versus eating out all of the time is not only healthier for your weight, but for your mind and spirit too (plus it saves money!). We love that being in the kitchen together opens up opportunities to really talk to each other. Making memories in and outside the kitchen will last a lifetime, and will allow you to build better relationships with each other.

Last but not least, my newest concept Shef’d meal prep experience. Will provide elevated meal prep to clients. Shef’d will focus on more on technique and creativity while still keeping your lifestyle in mind.

Overall, what I feel sets me apart is that I am passionate, relatable, and most of all, humble no matter what and it shows.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My fiancé and my kiddos have definitely been my biggest supporters. Though my fiancé can be my biggest headache sometimes (what do you expect after being together for over 16 years), he continued to support me any way he could to help get me thru culinary school including having babies lol. When he is unable to attend an event, our oldest is my go-to Sous Chef and photographer if needed. I can’t wait till the day I am able to have my whole tribe there. Until then, my kid’s kiddos are my why and my biggest cheerleaders. Mommy’s cooking is the best restaurant they say. My kiddos love calamari, and when my five-year-old son, will only eat pizza if it has veggies. I think I have done well this far.

I also could not fail to mention friends that have been my guinea pigs and didn’t even know it and all of my clients I’ve had. Who allowed me to share my passion with them. Once I do, and it’s such an unexplainable

feeling when you see the joy and receive compliments on a job well done. If at any time I ever doubted my capabilities, I always look back on how far I have come!