Meet Rece Mars | Head Chef and CEO of Taste Gracefully

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

Hi Rece, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Taste Gracefully was built from tears, sweat, love and passion. Cooking for me is more than adding ingredients, and preparing a dish. It puts me in an atmosphere where stress and pressure is uplifted, and opens a door of joy, peace, and creativity. Taste Gracefully is an experience through an expression of skills and imagination. That simply defines Art. Once I realized I was creating art through my food, I knew I had to share this gift of flavors with others. So I thought to myself; why not brand your passion and serve it on a plate! I had a vision of Taste Gracefully being phenomenal. So I educated myself and surrounded my talent in up scales culinary environments. Of being the student, to now becoming the teacher, head chef, and CEO of Taste Gracefully, The Aroma of Flavors.

Please tell us more about your art. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
One morning I was on my way to work, at the time I was an auto insurance agent. I had no clue that day was the first step of me living my life to its full potential. When I parked in front of my workplace, out of nowhere I began to uncontrollably sob my heart out. I had no clue where these unfamiliar emotions came from! If you would’ve asked me, I thought I was having a good day! The truth of the matter was; I wasn’t happy. I was dedicating my everyday schedule to a company that served me no true purpose. That robbed me of time with my family and enslaved my true hidden gifts. I quit that day and never looked back. I knew something much bigger and greater was waiting for me, I just had to find out what it was, and walk into it. At the time I was a single mother of two boys, a two and half year old and an eight-month-old. When I took that leap of faith, I honestly didn’t have any clue how I was going to pay bills and provide for my babies. I went through every emotion of fear, shame, guilt, confusion and anxiety. I prayed and asked God to show me my true passion and purpose in life, and to give me the tools to succeed in it. Not knowingly; the tools have always been in my hands. I would always cook whenever I wanted to escape reality and to see, feel , smell and taste happiness and peace. That’s exactly what my technique in cooking would feed me. To make a long story short; it turned out that my food also did the same for family members. Whenever I would invite them over for dinner, or just to try a new dish I experimented on, I was told that I need to start selling dinners. They would say ” Baby this is the type of food people would spend money on!” So, I did just that. Those dinners began to provide for my worries when it came to financial needs. The more I put effort into what made me happy, the more I became more successful in it. I educated and surrounded myself around people and environments that watered my goals and dreams. Many times, I felt unqualified and was even treated and told that, but for some reason I would always get blessed to move a step higher in success and become an entrepreneur. I took another leap of faith, and branded my gift in culinary. That’s when I birthed my catering company Taste Gracefully, The Aroma of flavors. The reason I use the term “birthed”, is because my business is my baby. I went through every labor of pain, pushing, tears and sacrifice to see something I created come out beautifully. The reason I named my business Taste Gracefully, is because it gives me an elegance about myself. My recipes are tasteful, and my business is a sophisticated culture, that cultivates exquisite flavors that are appealing in an aroma to others. I overcame every obstacle, because I refuse to give up. It doesn’t matter if others do not see or understand my vision. I knew what my destiny was when God told me to quit that miserable job in the parking lot. Ever since then life has been an excelling roller coaster. I can finally say I am HAPPY and LOVE what I do.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I haven’t been in ATL long enough to say what would be the best time ever yet. There are so many exciting things to do in Atlanta, I don’t want to put my foot where my mouth is. So! what I would do is give my bestie from ATL a taste of my city, Chicago. Summer time Chi, there’s no such thing as nothing to do! Chicago is a huge and beautiful city. So, let’s say it’s the month of July, we’re visiting the Taste of Chicago to experience food vendors, concerts, drinks, fun, with different cultures. July 4th we’re having our own picnic/ barbecue at the beach near lake Michigan. There my southern bf is going to see the biggest light show ever! Navy Pier famous fireworks are a constant you can depend on. It doesn’t matter where you are downtown Chicago, Navy Pier firework shows are a view you’ll always picture. Summer time is the rooftop season in the Chi. We’re going to enjoy spectacular views of the surrounding skyscrapers especially at John Hancock’s Signature Room, or Godfrey’s IO where we can get rooftop and club vibes. Of course, we need a full day to taste the city urban food. Rather we’re on the south side getting a 6-piece dinner with mild sauce and lemon pepper at Harold’s Chicken, or out west at Uncle Remus. To end our trip, I have to take my best friend sightseeing. That means Millennium Park, Crown Fountain, Chinatown, Riverwalk, Bucket Fountain and the list goes on.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Taste Gracefully would not be what it is today, if it was not for the support and love of my mother Carlisa , my father Johnny , and my two sons Kharee and Khalil. My parents play a major part when it comes to encouraging me, to see and reach my full potential, as a daughter and a business woman. Kharee and Khalil shine a light on all areas of success in my life. My sons are the seeds of the ambition and determination that grew Taste Gracefully. The Love of these four, made me and Taste Gracefully what it is today, and what it is to come.

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Image Credits
Photographer : Charles Gipson