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

Hi Autumn, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Risk is inevitable. Everyday you wake up, you risk the chance of failure or success. I believe it is the “unknown” that creates fear and anxieties. However, I’ve changed my perspective to embrace the fun and joy in taking risks. As a business owner, taking risk is required for success and I’ve developed the essentials to have discernment in taking risks. Without risks, I would not be the personal chef nor entrepreneur I am today. I do not let my fear of failure outweigh the possibility of success and growth. By taking risks as a personal chef, I’ve been able to grow mentally, physically, and emotionally. I’ve traveled to places I never imagined. My job is associated with risks every day and I can not grow and develop my business without it. I’d like to call it a partnership and we’ve learned to live and embrace each other on this beautiful journey.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

I am a result of my past experiences. I am a Jill of all trades and that has benefited my business in various ways. I am creative, an artist, personal chef, makeup artist, hair stylist, digital marketer, content creator, and a quality science professional. Being blessed with many talents can be a blessing and a curse at times but it depends on how you organize, prioritize, and manage adversity. I have encountered many obstacles and challenges to appraise my strengths and value of my goals in life. In the midst of my journey, it did not seem very influential, motivational, and it was often very discouraging. However, I have learned to shift my perspective on life to a more mature and open-minded level in order to retain tunnel vision. Life has also shifted my focus to my true purpose in life and that is always uneasy as well. I had to learn to surrender my negative habits, others opinions, visions, and desires that they believe were best for me. In addition to, releasing negative people from my life in order to elevate. Although life has placed me in a completely different direction than I ever imagined, I utilize each and every experience as a lesson and a blessing.

After graduating high school, I began attending Clemson University in 2016 to start my journey in becoming a Neonatologist (doctors who specialize in the care of newborn children). Throughout that experience, I endured many ups and downs through various jobs and classes, friendships, learning true independency, and learning my skills and talents. In today’s society and social media, we are conditioned to believe in perfection and it’s “too late.” I had to learn that no one is perfect despite what others portray and it’s actually never too late. After 3 years into my college career, I realized my passion was no longer neonatology but I knew I wanted to service others. I struggled to determine, how can I service others and still create financial success for myself, but I did not give up there. After an emotional and mental roller coaster of 2020, I graduated Clemson University with B.A in Biological Sciences and a minor in Psychology. I did not have a career in place, I did not know my next steps, I lost my grandmother, Loretta in June, and I had no desire to step a foot into a hospital after that experience. Many advise me to brush it off, it will wear off, but it never did. The only stability I obtained was my part time job as a leasing consultant. I began cooking just as my hobby as I always did, and I began creating my own recipes, and just simply exploring in the studio, aka my kitchen. Surprisingly, I booked my first client in 2020 and I only made $20. Pitiful right? I constantly dismissed my attraction to the kitchen and proceeded to pursue a career in pharmaceuticals and medical devices in 2021. I decided to return back to school and I completed my pharmaceutical and medical devices certification through an educational program called Pathway for Patient Health in January of 2022. Throughout these last two years, I finally noticed my attraction to cooking for others but I did not want to neglect my education. As I stated before, I utilize all of my experiences as lessons and a blessing! My mother always says “everything happens for a reason” and I use that as my motto to get persevere through life’s curve balls. I knew I wanted to use both my talents and skills and collaborate them with my education. I combined the two and turned my kitchen into my “science studio.” My science studio is a combination of creative talents and skills of cooking and creating unique recipes with my scientific brain.

This was the brightest idea I ever had because these two together create magic every time! I utilize my science background to study the process of different techniques, flavors, seasonings, and reactions within the human body. This is part of the origin of my company name, The Soul of American Cuisines, LLC. After finally accepting my calling, I have been successful ever since. Was it easy? Not at all. Do I love it? I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I praise ALL of my wins whether big or small and I use it as my motivation to reach my goals. I have not reached my ultimate goal just yet but the lessons along this journey will only elevate “my story.” I have suffered many losses along the way but Chef AC will always continue to turn a negative into positive and flourish. The Soul of American Cuisines, LLC does more than bring the soul to your table, we provide everlasting memories through our soulful touch. You are not just booking with The Soul of AC, you are a contribution to building our story. You are OUR STORY.


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?
An ideal trip with my best friend within the city would definitely be a week full of restaurant hopping and adventure. Each day of the trip would consist of a new adventure, new dish, new cultural experience, and new therapeutic activity. My best friend and I LOVE to try new things, but I think I am slightly more adventurous. I have to convince her 50% of the time to try something new but once she actually experience the adventure, she love it. I am a person who loves to introduce new ideas, new activities, and new adventures into my loved ones lives. We all have a bucket list, we just have to have the courage to accomplish it! An ideal week long trip would consist of waking up everyday with devotion and meditation in a scenic area of the city each day whether its on Kennesaw Mountain Top or a rooftop view of the city! Brunch is a must everyday at a new restaurant and we have to try something new, it’s our rule. There are so many options from Breakfast at Barney’s, Toast on Lenox, to Egg Harbor Cafe, we will be well fed and lit for the rest of the day. After our adventurous breakfast, we would bond through indulging in local market fruits, vegetables, and traditional snacks of Atlanta area while acting as if we have our own Food Network show. Throughout the trip we must participate in local activities to follow tradition and learn the culture of each area such as visiting the Trap House Museum, the Botanical Gardens, and the Illuminarium Atlanta. Our trip would be a learning experience in the midst of relaxation, adventures, and fun. I am such a foodie so I have to try Sun Dial and Canoe! From the insanely beautiful scenic views to the aesthetically pleasing delicacies, these two places are priority on my list. We must also visit a vineyard for wine tasting! To end our trip, I would definitely have to take them horseback riding as well as take a dive into Lake Allatoona or Oconee.

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 am definitely a person who gives credit where credit is due and my success is a result from my support system. My support consists of a union of supportive, hardworking, and independent black women who instilled the importance of confidence, independence, and perseverance within me. My support system is my familial foundation of my late great-grandmother, Wilhelmina, my grandmother, Loretta, my aunt, Octavia, as well as my mother/sous chef/motivator, Tracey. Without these women, my skills, talents, and success couldn’t have been possible. Although they provided a headstart for my success, I decided to take advantage of the opportunities I was blessed with to succeed. I spend endless hours researching, perfecting my craft, and enhancing my education. I have elevated my knowledge of finances, marketing, entrepreneurship, and investments through reading books by Robert T. Kiyosaki, Sahil Lavingia, etc. My success is not limited to these couple of factors but they are my “why.” My business does not flourish without word of mouth and I have to give credit to my family, friends, and clients who have recommended my business to others and supported my business in the smallest gesture.

Website: https://www.tasteofthesoul.com/

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

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCprr3n94vAuAWQkjhe7lVRA

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutAtlanta is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.