Today we’d like to introduce you to Chef Stacey Hamblett.
Chef Stacey, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My journey into the world of cooking started in my teens as I loved to figure out how to re-create desserts into healthier versions. This love and curiosity led me to be a finalist amongst adults in a healthy baking contest…and this was the start of the fun!
Although I never went to culinary school, or had a parent/grandparent teach me how to cook, or grew up in one of those kitchen families, I fell in love with the art of cooking and I loved to create. So I just followed my love and kept playing.
And because of my passion for food and the nourishing art of it, I kept finding work in the field. I got a job as a bread baker (even though I baked my first loaf of bread a month before!), helped open a small vegetarian cafe in a foreign country, became a pastry chef at a fancy pants restaurant, and most recently created a successful line of To-Go foods for a company with 9 locations thus making me an Executive Chef.
I am still amazed that I am officially a professional in the culinary world simply because I followed my passion for food and creating. I don’t make perfect cuts in my veggie prepping, my knife skills aren’t that of Julia Child, and there are some foods I still don’t know how to cook. But that is ok. I realized that you don’t have to be perfect, you just have to do what you love with a teaspoon of curiosity, a tablespoon of passion, and a cup of love.
I love food and everything about it. It nourishes my body, my mind and my soul. It connects me to nature, to my community and to the world. It nourishes, it heals and it allows me to express love and gratitude. And that is how I became a Chef.
Has it been a smooth road?
I think one of my greatest struggles has been staying focused on my passions and talents, and believing in them. Thankfully, I am blessed to have amazing supportive people in my life who remind me of those positive things I sometimes don’t see. Because of their support, as well as being aware of moments when I am baking, cooking, teaching or sharing culinary wellness education that I am full of life and glowing, I am reminded that I am on the right path.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Chef Stacey Jean story. Tell us more about the business.
I am a plant based chef and holistic nutritionist with a mission to share the art, beauty and joy of healthy cooking and living. My savory cooking is light healthy world cuisine but where I truly shine is in the dessert world. I love creating delicious AND nutritious amazing desserts!
My services include restaurant and menu consultation, private chef work, retreat chef work, menu planning, culinary education and nutritional/herbal/holistic wellness consultation. I absolutely LOVE teaching cooking classes and hope to one day, build a cooking school, wellness center and cafe to educate and inspire people to love healthy food, love nourishing their body/mind/spirit, love their community and express their art, beauty and joy to the world.
What sets me apart from others is that the work I do comes from my heart and soul. And, I believe that ALL people should be able to enjoy healthy food and a healthy whole vibrant life.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
The health food industry is progressing rapidly as research is proving that food is medicine, culinary and nutrition education is vital. Thankfully, we have some amazing doctors (like Dr. Mark Hyman) and research professionals who are making big changes in the world of functional nutrition and culinary wellness. Also, there are many non-profit organizations that are creating prescription “farmacy” programs, mobile food markets, culinary wellness education programs and more. As well as consumers are becoming more knowledgeable and willing to spend their time and dollars on healthy food and healthy lifestyles. YES to HEALTH!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.chefstaceyjean.com
- Email: lovebeinghealthy@yahoo.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chefstaceyjean/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chefstaceyjean/
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