Meet Asia Bullock | Sweet and savory private chef and caterer

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

Chef Asia B. — is finding herself through her work, one comforting plate of food at a time. The “sweet and savory” chef was born and raised in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, and leads with the southern hospitality of her North Carolina roots. Chef Asia B.’s resurgence as a private chef and caterer for special occasions is a study in being true to yourself and driven by your own process.

Asia launched her first business, Asia B. Sweet Treats, in 2014 while she was in college., She focused on delicious baked goods for special occasions of all kinds, from birthdays, weddings, bridal and baby showers, to corporate events. Asia explored business school as a next step, but the time and loans it would require felt daunting. Through her network, the Crown Heights native came to discover the Community Business Academy. The low-cost, twelve-week program appealed both to her needs and her bandwidth.
After graduating in 2019 and equipped with the fundamentals, she established an LLC and formalized her idea. Asia was ready to focus on expanding her business, but life had other plans.

Shortly after, and just before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Asia’s grandmother Edna passed away. This was a great loss, as she not only was the inspiration for Asia’s entrepreneurship, but also the primary source of knowledge for her culinary craft. For months, she felt lost and unclear how to move forward.

Asia knew she needed to pivot her business in a significant way, so she tapped into her roots and established herself as more than a baker. Her grandmother often emphasized “food for the soul” — and this became Asia’s mantra as she worked to re-emerge as both a sweet and savory private chef. But she didn’t do it alone. In order to rebrand and refine her business, she emailed, called and messaged peers who she thought could help. When they couldn’t, they led her to others who might. In this way, Asia leaned on her community and rose up.

Hi Asia, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Honestly I just knew something in me was just very different. growing up I knew I had a passion and love for food but what I didn’t realize I had a love for sweet and savory soul food. I spent my childhood growing up in the kitchen with my great-grandmother Edna Earl she past down a very traditional passion that she didn’t even know that she did but fast-forward to 2014 when I was in college I decided to start my own business wasn’t planned I didn’t have anything mapped out but I knew from there I was destined to become the best chef I can be.. I told my mom I wanted to start my business she supported me it helped me get the things that I needed to get started

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I love what I do and at times it gets difficult you know having the creative outside of it as a chef in, this industry hasn’t been easy for me . it’s been difficult it’s been late nights it’s been tears even tears of joy I’ve been in this industry for over 7 years .I’m still in my twenties and I have so much more to learn. But the best part about it is I’ve been able to still get up everyday and have the mindset to work smarter. I’ve been able to take my love and passion for Southern Soul Food and cooking and excetera in to expand my creativity my palate and my passion and put my all into it.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Honestly the first thing I would do is take them to one of the best restaurants there is to eat also a fun event I love going to events that’s Lively something that’s going on up in fun. Definitely something creative like an art show and of course go to one of the local boutiques that I love and introduced into it.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to dedicate my shotout to my mom she is honestly my biggest supporter and everything that I do any Adventure that I have tapped in over the years when I decide in to be full-time as a chef and venturing off she’s been my biggest supporter I wouldn’t be here without the love and support of my mom and my family

Website: Www.chefasiab.com

Instagram: Chefasia.b

Linkedin: asiabssweettreats@gmail.com