Today we’d like to introduce you to Chef Ashley Dominique .
Chef Ashley Dominique, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’ve been in the culinary industry since I was 14. I started working at a local catering company with my mom and I instantly fell in love with it all. Throughout my early 20’s I always had a job within the industry. In 2018 I started selling dinners locally to supplement my income being a single mother. My business grew and I started offering more services like catering and private dinners and more private chef work. That all let me to going full time with my business in 2019. I LLC’d ‘A Taste Of Chef Ash’ and I’ve been on go since!
In 2020 during the height of the pandemic my business totally stopped.
In May of that year I received the opportunity to become a Personal Chef to Professional Athletes.
That July I secured my first client Jadeveon Clowney. I was with him for the 2020-2021 NFL season in Nashville, Tennessee when he was with the Titans.
Since then I’ve been a Personal Chef to some amazing athletes: Da’Shawn Hand, Nickeil Alexander- Walker, Jose Alvarado, Mitchell Robinson,Albert Huggins, and my current client Carl Granderson of the New Orleans Saints.
Besides being a Personal Chef I do offer catering services as well as meal prep, intimate private dinners, and cooking lessons to everyone.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It hasn’t been smooth at all.
I’ve dealt with it all.
The love.
The hate.
I’ve had times where I’ve been gone with a client for a season and once it’s over I have to come back home and get everything back in motion from me being away.
My oldest daughter is a Type 1 diabetic, so there’s been times she’s had to be hospitalized and I’ve had to be by her side. So I’ve had to rearrange my schedule to be off with her.
The toughest challenge for me through this journey has been loosing my little brother Malcolm. He passed away at the end of 2023 in the mist of me wrapping an amazing season with my Falcons client.
Like how do I loose someone I love so much and still be able to go in the kitchen and still produce love?
It’s been extremely hard but I know he’s with me and I carry him within everything I do. I have no choice but to go harder for the both of us! For my daughters and our parents!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a Traveling Personal Chef for Professional Athletes. I also offer catering and an array of other services.
I’m from Louisiana so of course I specialize in Creole & Cajun cuisine but I can honestly create anything your heart desires.
I’m known for creating meals that taste just as beautiful as they look. I’m always told it’s a vibe from the time I arrive until the time that I leave.
I’m genuinely proud that I’ve never gave up and that no matter what I’ve been through I never allowed it to make my heart cold.
I feel like what sets me apart from others is that IM ME! I really can’t explain it.
It’s an “It’s in me not on me” type of explanation and I say that as humbly as possible. I genuinely treat people how I want to be treated in all aspects of my life and that love and respect always comes back to me.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
I believe collaboration is key!
If you would like to collaborate please reach out via social media or email.
I’m currently working on several products as well as new content. Follow me on all social media platforms to support and for updates!
I do interact with my followers!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.atasteofchefash.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atasteofchefash/
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/atasteofchefash/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@atasteofchefash
- Other: atasteofchefash@yahoo.com
