We had the good fortune of connecting with Aniqua Montcalm and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Aniqua, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
My work life balance changes every single day. I am living with adult heart failure. Some days I work fine and others I have to abruptly cancel gigs due to my health issues. I was diagnosed with Atrial septal defect as a baby and at the age of 7 had major open-heart surgery. Fast forward to age 31 years old, I have been diagnosed with non-compaction cardiomyopathy. It is a rare complex congenital heart disease where majority of the heart muscle forms a sponge-like meshwork of interwoven myocardial fibers. Additionally, I have tachyarrhythmia where my heart rate gets up to over 200 bpm which can lead to sudden cardiac death and clotting of the blood in the heart. I have bouts where I suddenly pass out and have mini strokes about twice a month. Last year I had to have an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator placed and I am also on 8 different medications daily.

Our 5-year-old autistic son just had major heart surgery for his congenital heart disease. He is one of the smartest kids you will ever meet, but he has speech, aba, OT and feeding therapy weekly. Our 3-year-old daughter also has congenital heart disease and will need heart surgery at the age of 5 years old. Of course, she is a self-proclaimed dancer that goes to dance class once a week. Not to mention I have to see my heart failure doctor once a month.

All this to say I am grateful to just be alive to work! I don’t stress trying to have the most perfect work life balance, because in my life it is not possible. I am grateful for my kids and husband/business partner. I am grateful for friends that understand my life is complicated and are still in our lives. Every day I am thankful to God for our customers because they give me the drive to continue my passion of being a chef.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
My name is Chef Nikki. I am representing St. Thomas, U.S.V.I. Rock City Massive stand up! As a black woman-owned catering and delivery business, I am constantly making waves in the Atlanta culinary scene. What sets me apart from your typical spot is that I incorporate my Danish West Indian Roots with traditional soul food with modernized French techniques. I graduated from Le Cordon Bleu and started my journey on becoming a fine dining chef. I have worked as a lead grill and expo chef and assistant pastry chef at Chef Panos acclaimed Kyma restaurant, the pastry chef and occasional line/expo chef at Chef Art Smiths, Southern Arts Bourbon Bar at Intercontinental Buckhead Hotel and as the head pastry chef at Chef Anne Quatranos Float away Cafe.

The kitchen is not for the weak. The long hours, low pay, and burnouts were just some of the challenges I faced on my culinary journey. From then on, I knew that I wanted to work for myself at my own pace with my own concept. Blake and I got pregnant and then we decided what’s most important was leaving a legacy for our children. I had to do bedrest as my pregnancies were high risk. We decided to become entrepreneurs and had our first business called Edesia Meals. It was a n organic paleo desserts and meal prep and delivery business that was quite successful. We sold meals in Nuts and Berries stores and over 10 CrossFit gyms and chiropractic offices. But Covid happened and shut us down.

We decided to rebrand, and The Smokey Mango Catering and Plates came into fruition. Our brand is simply great high-quality meals cooked by a loving family of professionally trained chefs. We are based in Decatur and also still deliver! Our meals feature a fusion of Caribbean, BBQ and comfort food and desserts with a modern twist.

We are the first in Atlanta to have created The Smokey Philly’s. We have the best smoked ribeye Phillies, smoked jerk chicken Phillies and even a seasonal veggie Philly. We also serve authentic empanadas from the Virgin Islands and fill them with traditional beef and saltfish or fusion fillings like our famous soul food or rotel dip empanadas.

One of the main lessons I have learned over the years is to take care of yourself. I give praise to God for every day I am granted to be with my family and friends. There will always be business out there, but you can’t run a business if you truly don’t give yourself time to reset and rest.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
We stay ballin on a budget! We would have a nice outing at piedmont park. Then catch a bite to eat at Woody’s Cheesesteak. Head to Ponce city market for shopping and more good food. Six flags is always fun for our whole family. Sun trust park is a must to catch a home game and then eat at Heirloom Market. If we celebrating, then we will be headed to Atlas. Then definitely need to do some bus tours of the city and hit up the Ferris wheel and Underground.. Of course we got to catch a show at Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. You really can’t go wrong with the high museum or botanical gardens!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to shoutout my college sweetheart, business partner and husband of 9.5 years, Blake Montcalm. We first me 12 years ago at Le Cordon Bleu College. One day I decided to hire him as my math tutor, and we have been inseparable ever since. Now I get to work with my best friend and soulmate. He has worked as a chef and a recipe consultant for some of Atlanta’s top restaurants, so it is an honor to cook beside him every day.

Some books I am reading now is the Holy Bible, a book by Sara Jake Roberts called Woman Evolve and Sean Brocks South cookbook.

Website: www.thesmokeymangoatl.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesmokeymango/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Smokey-Mango-Catering-and-Plates/100090981315991/

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