Meet Janay Terrell | Chef

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

Hi Janay, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
My take on risk is that if you don’t fail you’re not trying. You have to take risk in order to get closer to your success,nothing comes from taking things easy. Especially, when it comes to your dreams and doing what you feel passionate about. I took a huge risk a few weeks ago by deciding to not work for anyone other than myself. I was completely unhappy working in restaurants and before I lose my passion for cooking I took a risk. I asked myself “you go sink or swim Jay?” and I must say that was so far the best decision I’ve made in my entire life. You can’t give up on yourself and I’m coming to get whats mine no matter how risky it is because I AM WORTH THE RISK.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
What sets me apart from the other chefs is that no menu is too crazy for me. I don’t care what type of fusion you have in mind I’m going to make it happen and its going to be bold, delicious, and packed with flava. I am most proud of myself for not giving up on myself, for pushing through those weeks of not having any sales, no longer living in fear of failure.

This journey of entreperneurship has not being an easy one its a lot of losses, a lot of doubts, a lot of failure, a ton of lessons, but most importantly it takes a lot self-discipline and dedication. I got here by simply taking my Ls with my head held high and getting back up. I overcame my challenges by crying and going back to the drawing board every time. Allowing myself to feel those emotions, process them and figure what needs to happen for me to never feel that way again.

The lessons I’ve learned along the way is that nothing in life worth having is easy. Thomas Eddison had a bunch of failed inventions before he got to that light bulb. Just keep swimming. (in my dora voice)

I want the world to know that I have finally arrived and I aint going nowhere. Im a chef from da hood that cooks food better than ya granny!!

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?
I love karaoke so we would definitely be at Mics in one of their private rooms or at whatever bar is popping that night. Puttshack is really cool. We would have to check Slutty vegan, Old Lady Gang, The Real Milk and Honey, Big Daves Philly, and then walk the belt line for a few hours.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to give a shoutout to my very small close circle of cousins and friends that has gotten up early to help me with an event, stayed up with me all night while I work on menus,made any deliveries for me, BELIEVED in me even when I didn’t, wiping my tears after failing a few times, and just being solid. I love yall. Im better because of you I keep going because of you and I am succeeding because of you. Special shoutout to my best friend and the best marketing director ever Samone, you are everything. Also, to Chef Sammy Davis, Chef Karl, Chef Matt Marcus and any other chef that I’ve had an opportunity to learn from and still learning from THANK YOU!

Instagram: dahoodhippiechef

Facebook: thehippiechef