Meet Patricia Parks | Garden Consultant, Coach & Designer

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

Hi Patricia, what principle do you value most?
The value or principle that matters to me most is purpose/ social responsibility. In my opinion, as we get older, finding purpose in life, in work…it just comes into focus.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
After 22 years as a professional chef, including time with a global hotel chain, I found myself at a crossroads. Despite a successful culinary career, I realized I was no longer fulfilled. I needed very much to walk away- a very difficult thing to do, when that’s all you know. Three years ago, I started an herb garden at home, and the joy it brought me was immense. This wasn’t entirely new; I grew up watching my two Jamaican grandmothers cultivate abundant gardens in New York City for decades. Their dedication to working with nature deeply influenced me. This rediscovery of my passion for gardening, combined with my personal journey to a plant-based lifestyle over the last four and a half years, ignited a new purpose within me.

What truly sets me apart is my approach to gardening, which I’d like to call “my why.” Drawing on my culinary background, I see gardening as an art form focused on nurturing life from the ground up. My philosophy is deeply rooted in chemical-free, sustainable practices, always with a keen eye on environmental impact. I believe in working with nature, not against it. This is evident in my use of rain barrels for water conservation and my commitment to helping clients understand the symbiotic relationship between healthy soil, thriving plants, and a sustainable ecosystem. My goal isn’t just to help people grow food; it’s to empower them to become mindful cultivators who respect and cherish the earth. I’m excited to see my clients harvest food for the first time….and that they’ll know that feeling too.

Transitioning from a chef to a garden consultant wasn’t entirely easy. The culinary world, while demanding, offered a clear path. Striking out on my own meant navigating the challenges of starting a new business, building a client base from scratch, and defining my unique value proposition. The biggest hurdle was overcoming the ingrained mindset of traditional careers and trusting that my passion and unique approach would resonate with others. I overcame these challenges by leaning into what I knew: hard work, dedication, and a commitment to quality.

I want the world to know that Vegan Chef’s Garden, is about cultivating connection: connection to nature, connection to our food source, and connection to a more sustainable way of life. My journey from the fast-paced world of professional kitchens to the peaceful rhythm of the garden reflects a deeper hunger—a hunger for purpose, for impact, and for sharing the incredible abundance that nature provides, chemical-free and sustainably, for generations to come.

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?
Oh this is a great question! Okay, here’s my list: baseball game at the Battery, shopping at small town boutiques, hiking in search of an awesome Georgia waterfall, enjoying a chef’s table at the center of my own garden, a concert, or eating fresh ice cream on the Beltline…. really where ever the GPS blows us!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Both of my grandmothers, Eutilda and Cherianna, they are my motivation for the work that I do today. I was recently visited by my dad’s mom (Eutilda), this summer. She’s 82 now and travelled from NYC to Atlanta to celebrate an occasion with us. I sat with her in my garden and had the most beautiful conversation about her personal relationship with gardening. I actually recorded it and shared it on my Youtube channel.

Website: https://www.veganchefsgarden.com

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allpurposevegan

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@theveganchefsgarden

Image Credits
Tea With Lemon, Rhonda Manns and Patricia Parks.