Meet Malikah Shavonne: Private Chef and Culinary Instructor

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

Hi Malikah, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I had originally moved to New York City for a change of pace. I was drawn to the energy of the city, and oddly enough, searching for a career change into a tech startup company. Within the first two weeks of moving to the city, a friend of mine asked me to do appetizers for a New Year’s Eve party for about 100 people. Similar to what I’d do in college at house parties. During the party, people came over to introduce themselves and telling me how great everything was! After that, I found my niche and my side hustle, now my main hustle was born.

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 begin cooking at a young age. Like most Southerners, I was always in the kitchen underneath my mom and grandmother looking to see what they were doing. Even something simple like spaghetti, I wanted to know how it was made, and how I could make it even better.

Skip into college. The internet was new. Cooking wasn’t a major. There was no IG. Cooking as career? Completely unknown to me. As a hobby and a necessity? Of course! So I developed recipes, cooked for friends, family, and anyone who was hungry.

After grad school, I worked in higher education in student involvement and leadership. Inspiring college students to become their best selves, be authentic, and follow their dreams. Meanwhile, I wasn’t.

Tipping point.

I had to move. New York, moreover Harlem, was calling me. Visiting the bestie a week per year wasn’t cutting it! Hardest thing ever! In 2011, it was rare to resign from a career, and move to a new city with no real plan. Somehow, I was up to the challenge. Using to my previous talents from my college days at Chili’s Bar & Grill , I went right to work to learn, grow, and immerse myself in all things culinary and beverage in the hospitality industry in Manhattan.

Things that I learned along the way? Never give up. Always follow your instinct. Trust the process. Nothing worth it will be easy. It takes hard work and dedication, not necessarily a social media following and a gig with a celebrity. Be a sponge. Be a lifelong learner. And when you get full, pour into others.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Here for the weekend? This is where we’re headed. (Note to Editor: The places listed are pre-Covid.)

If you’re with me, you know I like a unique crowd. Low key, a little turnup, and good food! So Wednesday night at Red Rooster for World Beat Wednesday with DJ Hard Hittin’ Harry… great food, great vibe.

On Thursday nights we are headed to 67 Orange for amazing cocktails, and then later to Silvana for hookah and live music.

Friday lunch is definitely comfort food at Melba’s and Babbalucci for dinner, because… brick oven pizza.

Saturday, let’s make it a Brooklyn day and head to Rustik Tavern for brunch. Before dinner, let’s have drinks at Drink, a super adorable bar in Crown Heights. Of course, it’s Soco for dinner. and after we’ll find somebody’s party to crash. On the way back to Harlem, can we stop at Coppelia?

Sunday Funday, let’s head back downtown to Anejo for brunch, and work our way back up to Harlem with a few stops along the way including Angel of Harlem and Corner Social, ending at Shrine where the ghosts of the tourists have left from the weekend, and us locals have come out to play.

Mondays are at my place for Malikah Monday’s featuring a home cooked meal and hand crafted cocktails.

Lastly, Tuesdays are made for tacos, so we’re headed to Jimmy’s NYC for a Taco Tuesday party that will make wonder what you did every other Tuesday of your entire boring ass life.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Let me dedicate this shoutout to my early tribe. My late mommy (Melba Laverne) and my family really cultivated my culinary beginnings. Also shoutout to my college family and my sorority–Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., who always showed up for the meals and the cocktails. Little did they know it encouraged me to continue my art. Last, but certainly not least, shoutout to my New York family! Ya’ll believed in me, hired me, educated me, and continue to support me and my culinary craft! I love you, Harlem!

Website: www.malikahshavonne.com

Instagram: @malikahshavonne

Twitter: @malikahshavonne

Image Credits
My image.