Meet Chef Qutie: Private Chef and Caterer

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

Hi Chef, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
The thought process to starting my own business was simple, all I could see was the future. I imagined what doors would open, what opportunities would present itself, and I imagined the leader than many will look up to. I thought that my food was amazing and so widely enjoyed, my potential to grow had just been unlocked, and I thought that it would be easier than it has been. I also thought of the success of my business being equated to a Marathon, and not a race.

What should our readers know about your business?
I own a catering business that provides private dining experiences from small and intimate, to large and extravagant. We pay attention and prioritize every small detail to set us apart from others. Each Chef, Sous Chef, and Team member is carefully selected and hired by display of my business principles and moral conduct. As a Chef I am most proud of my growth of kitchen knowledge and learning new cuisines. As a business owner I am most excited about the new opportunities I have coming in the following year that I will get a chance to share with my supporters. I got where I am today by never settling, never giving up, and never losing my love and passion for cooking. Cooking is rooted deep within me and I gained the love that I have for it through growing up cooking next to my grandparents in the kitchen. The ability to take everything I was taught, and put my own twist on that knowledge, has helped to give my dishes that soulful and home cooked ambiance while also staying modern and exciting for my clients. My passion for cooking came to me early, and I gained a passion for business through spending my college years working at different restaurants until I had the honor to help open a restaurant. As I was able to admire and learn from certain aspects of working in a corporate position, I was also able to critique and dream on how I would one day run my own business and open a Restaurant of my own.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love my friends and I love when they visit! If my friend were to come to Atlanta for a week I’d have to showcase the awesome food we have here in the city. I’d probably take them to Breakfast at Barney’s for brunch, then take them to Piedmont park to ride the birds and get some drinks on 10th and Piedmont. I love breakfast at Barney’s because it’s a very successful black owned business with such a classy vibe and delicious food options from your everyday pancakes to more extravagant seafood dishes. Piedmont park is one of my favorite places to take first-timers because it showcases the cool, artsy and outdoors vibe of Atlanta, and it’s also right in the middle of the city! I love the wide array of people I meet in passing or by conversation. They also have an awesome restaurant selection in the area. Ponce City Market is another cool spot to take friends to shop, eat, and get artsy. After Ponce we’d go over to Clermont Hotel Lounge to grab a drink on the rooftop, it has an awesome vibe upstairs with their craft cocktails and string lights overlooking the city. Atlanta is so exciting and interesting to me because of the melting pot that we are. There are all kinds of cuisines, people, and activities to engage in that sets Atlanta apart from other Major cities. 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?
My family and friends whom I’ve gained as lifelong sisters keep me going with much needed love, encouragement, and support. Many mentors have come along and helped with my personal development as well as the growth of my business. A mentor that deserves recognition from me would be Chef Justin Robinson. That man is a beast wrapped up in the biggest box you can imagine. He is so full of knowledge and willing to share and help in many areas of the industry that were foreign to me. He inspires me daily to keep going no matter what and encourages me to tap into my creative aura. He teaches me the importance of team building and delegating, and how to be a leader that others respect and look forward to working with. I hope to one day be that for others that will come after me and I will happily share that piece of me with whomever I come across.

Website: https://qutieskitchenllc.com

Instagram: @qutieskitchen

Linkedin: Qutie’s Kitchen

Twitter: @qutieskitchen

Facebook: Qutie’s Kitchen and Catering

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