Meet Chef Taj & Taevon: Executive Chef & Co-Owner

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

Hi Chef Taj & Taevon, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
A few of our main motivations were us having creative control, just being able to express our ideas how we want in the culinary world. Also having financial freedom to create generational wealth for our families. Another factor,  being able to create an in-home experience that people from all over can experience when vacationing in Orlando, Fl. We truly wanted to create something for ourselves that was ours & we could call our own, we’ve been building this business three years now  and we’re proud of what we accomplished.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Foodbychillers is a private chef/meal prep business and we also provide selective catering. What sets us apart is innovation. We find new and creative ways to create a culinary experience like no other. Rather, our brunch spread with our client favorite soufflé pancakes or a newly 24k gold wings & we’re the only chefs in Florida with Hennessy 24k gold wings. We’re excited about the future and what we’re working on currently like our own seasoning, sauces, and flavored butter. We’re also working on our traveling dinner experiences statewide. Starting the business was not easy, we faced many challenges. One of them being sustainable, and being able to have a roof over our heads so we can continue to work and build. From cars breaking down, to COVID affecting some of the business,and almost losing faith in each other. But through it all we learned to believe in one another, and learn financial literacy so that we can better save and have funding for things. We learned to always love what we do, communication is key, and being each other’s support system to keep us afloat. We want people to remember us how you remember your moms or grandmothers favorite dish. The love and warmth you got from the first bite we also want people to remember us for creating an experience that brings that love & warmth. If we could, we would feed the world and no one will ever be hungry.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Living here in Florida you have to take them to the beach of course Miami Beach at that. Then Wynwood Miami’s fashion district and see the arts and all the cool underground brands and collectives. Can’t forget about Jet skies. After Miami then we hit Tampa and go to Busch Gardens. The nightlife is like something out of a movie. Afterwards make our way to Orlando, FL, home of Disney and Universal Studios. There’s also Downtown Orlando where things get litty and you’re bound to have fun especially at the sky bar. The next morning definitely hit some brunch spots. Orlando has some of the best brunch spots and mimosas that will really get you lit. For more of an aquatic adventure definitely take them to the Florida keys and do some snorkeling , parasailing, and a glass boat ride with dinner aboard.

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?
Definitely want to give a huge shoutout to our family and friends who’ve supported us along the way. One person we do want to recognize is Jeromie Jones aka the KakeKing. He’s been a huge support system, teacher, friend, more than anything a big brother who has guided us along the way, he’s really pushed us and our business to where it is today and we’re forever grateful for him. He’s introduced us to so many amazing people in the industry who gave us counsel and more guidance when we felt lost. One of those people being Chef Josh out of New Jersey who’s been a great teacher to us and putting us up on game in the chef world.

Website: Www.foodbychillers.com

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Image Credits
@justmayo @mbitionsvoys