Meet Latrice Goss (L the Chef) | Private Chef & Caterer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Latrice Goss (L the Chef) and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Latrice Goss (L the Chef), why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I’ve always been artistic and creative, from elementary school. I won my first poetry award in 6th grade after I entered a contest on a whim. I didn’t even think I would win but when I did, I felt like I was on to something and took it further. From there I took a huge interest in English, Writing and Language Arts classes all through High School. I have two degrees, one in Journalism and the other in Communications. I was the Managing Editor of my college newspaper and had my own Entertainment column with a local newspaper for over 10 years, as well as wrote features for various entertainment blogs and websites.

Then, a few years later I met a couple of other poets on Myspace and sent a call for writers to collaborate on a poetry compilation. That led to me starting my very first business, LCG Publishing and I published that compilation as my very first book. It was very successful and let to other poets and writers publishing with me down the line as well.

I am also a self taught musician. I started in my childhood church, was even apart of a local R&B band for a short period and played for leisure.

However, cooking is something I’ve always done without thought or effort. Until one day, I realized it was therapy for me and I was really, really good at it! I started feeding my friends, and then they started telling their friends and family of how good my food was, and then next thing I knew I was taking special orders. I said to myself, why not cook professionally and make this another source of income. I felt like it was a win win, because I love to cook, I love to feed people and I love how I feel when I am cooking. It’s literally food for the soul!

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?

The L Experience is just that, an experience. My best friend actually came up with the name when I was trying to think of something catchy. She reminded me that sometimes simplicity says a lot. She also said that eating my food is literally an amazing experience. So it stuck.

When I came up with the concept for the logo, I wanted the artist to embody who I was and where I am from, New York City- Brooklyn to be exact. We tend to have a hard reputation, but you’d be surprised at how down to earth we are once you get to know us. That’s how I feel about my food. You may not know me or have heard of me yet, but once you taste my food you want to know more. You want to taste more! You want to know the story behind it!

The slogan I have for my brand is “Eclectic and savory cuisines by L the Chef.” The reason I chose this is because that’s exactly how I would describe my food, eclectic and savory. It’s different and nothing about it is “traditional.” I take traditional recipes and make them my own, in every way. And the savory part comes from my soul. I feel when I cook and I have to be in a certain space to cook. If my energy or mood is off, it shows up in my food and I can’t have that. Cooking is therapy time and that’s why even where I cook needs to be setup a certain way. I usually do not like anyone else in the kitchen but me and there needs to be some type of music playing, or complete silence depending on what space I am in.

I am still considered to be in the “start up” phase, although my clientele is really starting to pick up a bit. I’ve even received requests and bookings for out of state events and I would love to continue to do more. I think it would be a dream come true to become a travelling chef. Two of my absolute favorite past times, can’t beat that!

I would say one of the most challenging things that I currently face, as well as other chefs I’m sure is having to stand firm on my pricing with the costs of food continually rising at an alarming rate. I appreciate my customers, new and old and I hate when I have to charge them more or if I give them a price they find it too steep and search other options. I will admit, most of the time they wind up coming back because I am STILL more reasonable than others lol. But I just want to be sure not to short change myself, this is after all a business.

Another challenge I’ve learned from along the way of course is portion and estimation. I’ve pretty much mastered this now, but in the beginning I’ve always made wayyyy too much food! Which means I’ve also spent more than necessary. Experience will teach you how to scale back, without losing value of course, real quick!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
It’s been awhile since I’ve been to Atlanta, and I am planning a trip in the next month or so. But, I know places I would want to visit would be quite a few up and coming and popular restaurants- being the foodie that I am! Just to name a few: Bones, Chops, Paschal’s, OLG, Atlanta Fish Market, The Goodz, Kevin Rathbun’s Steakhouse, Twisted Soul, and if they are anything like the NYC’s Village restaurant, Negril. I would visit the Underground and other hot spots around the city.

Some of the most fun, interesting, exciting people, places and things to check out are normally in situations where it just happens organically. Especially being from a such a diverse city like New York, I’ve met some of the most interesting and intriguing strangers randomly and some have even become lifelong friends. Good vibes are contagious and that’s what I like to look for when I am out on the town. Whether I am solo or with friends, I tend to be drawn to scenes and situations that involve music, food and arts.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First and foremost I always acknowledge God and his purpose and blessings in my life. Second, my family is everything to me and I dedicate every single thing I do in life to the memory of my brother, Russell. He passed away suddenly in 2019 and since he’s been gone saying there is a void in my life is an understatement. He was my biggest supporter and the reason I began The L Experience because he was my first taste tester and I loved how he loved my food! He made me feel like I could do anything and I channel him everytime I feel pressure or self doubt when it comes to certain gigs or events or even certain foods. His spirit challenges me to challenge myself and all I could ever hope is to make him proud! I also owe my life successes as far as education, perseverance, dedication and spiritual guidance to my Mom, Paulette and my late Godmother, Tawana Williams- who also passed in 2020. I wouldn’t be who I am, where I am and where I am going if it were not for any of them!

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