Dana Currie shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Dana , thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
One of the most recent moments that made me feel truly proud was when my daughter started her very first job and it’s in restaurant hospitality. Watching her step into that responsibility with such maturity, resilience, and determination filled me with admiration. She has shown a strong work ethic, the ability to adapt under pressure, and a genuine commitment to doing her best—qualities that reflect her growth and character. Seeing her handle the challenges of the workplace at such a young age has been both inspiring and affirming as a parent.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, my name is Dana Currie, and I bring over 20+ years of experience in the restaurant and hospitality industry. My passion goes beyond the plate. I’m also an event planner and decorator who loves transforming ordinary spaces into unforgettable experiences. With a strong foundation in fine dining, scratch cooking, pastry, and food safety, I’ve developed a deep appreciation for how every detail matters from the flavor of the food to the feel of the atmosphere.
What makes my brand unique is the way I blend culinary artistry with visual design and thoughtful planning. Whether I’m curating a private dinner, styling an elegant table, or coordinating a full-scale event, I approach everything with heart, creativity, and a commitment to excellence. Right now, I’m focused on building a brand that brings people together through intentional experiences that taste amazing and look beautiful because I believe every moment should be both delicious and memorable.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before the world placed expectations on my shoulders and told me who I should become, I was a bold, intuitive, and imaginative soul. I moved through life with curiosity, creativity, and a deep sense of purpose even before I had the words to define it. I saw beauty in the details, believed in possibility, and led with heart. I was unafraid to dream big, to love hard, and to show up fully as myself.
Over time, like many of us, I adapted. I conformed. I carried roles and responsibilities that often silenced that inner voice. But through every challenge and reinvention, I’ve found my way back to her that original, unshaped version of me. The woman I am today honors that foundation. She’s grounded in authenticity, driven by purpose, and unafraid to redefine success on her own terms. I’m not just remembering who I was I’m reclaiming her. And that’s the most powerful transformation of all.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There was a moment quiet, heavy, and painfully honest when I almost gave up. Not because I lacked strength, but because I had carried so much for so long in 2024, actually. The pressure of showing up for everyone, the constant grind, the silent battles no one saw… it all became too much. I questioned my worth, my path, and whether everything I was building was really worth the weight I was carrying.
But in that moment of near surrender, something powerful happened. I remembered my “why” the purpose behind the passion, the dreams planted in me long before the storms came. I thought about the people watching me, especially my daughter, and how I wanted her to see resilience not just in words, but in action. So I paused. I prayed. I gathered myself piece by piece, and I chose to keep going not perfectly, but intentionally.
That moment didn’t break me. It became the reason I walk stronger today with clearer boundaries, deeper purpose, and unwavering faith in the woman I’m becoming.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
If you asked my closest friends what truly matters to me, they’d likely say: people. They’d tell you I care deeply about how others feel, how they’re treated, and how I show up in their lives. They’d say I value authenticity, connection, and creating spaces where others feel seen, safe, and supported. They’d probably mention how much I pour into my family, my work, and my dreams not for recognition, but because I believe in impact, legacy, and doing things with heart.
They know I find meaning in beauty whether that’s through a well-prepared meal, a thoughtfully designed space, or an intentional act of kindness. They’d tell you I don’t settle for surface-level anything; I’m drawn to depth, truth, and purpose. And more than anything, they’d say I’m someone who fights for growth not just in myself, but in everyone I love.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
When I’m gone, I hope people don’t just remember what I did but how I made them feel. I want the story they tell to be one of a woman who led with heart, who showed up fully, and who made others feel seen, valued, and inspired to be more of themselves. I hope they say I was a light consistent, comforting, and courageous. That I didn’t just chase success, but chose purpose. That I used my gifts to serve, uplift, and create beauty wherever I went whether through a perfectly set table, a warm meal, an encouraging word, or a moment of genuine connection.
I hope they tell the story of someone who lived boldly but loved even harder. A woman who turned pain into power, who never let circumstances define her, and who kept going even when it was hard. I want to be remembered not just for what I accomplished, but for the way I made people believe in themselves a little more, simply by being who I was.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: FiveStar_OnThe_Go
- Facebook: Dana TheChef
