Today we’d like to introduce you to Alannah Valdes.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
A Taste of Heart and Heritage: Chef Alannah’s Journey from Marine to Master Chef
In the heart of Houston, where culinary creativity meets Southern soul, Chef Alannah has carved out a name synonymous with warmth, flavor, and community. As the Head Chef and Owner of Chef Alannah’s Creations LLC, she’s built a reputation for preparing high-quality meals at prices that feel as approachable as the chef herself.
But before she ever donned a chef’s coat, Alannah wore a different kind of uniform. At just 18, she joined the U.S. Marine Corps, serving multiple tours with honor and distinction. “The Marines taught me discipline, focus, and resilience,” she says. “Those same qualities are what guide me in the kitchen today.”
After completing her service, Alannah traded in her combat boots for chef whites and set out to follow a new calling. She enrolled at Houston Community College (HCC), graduating with honors from the school’s American Culinary Federation Education Foundation (ACFEF)–accredited program—a distinction that places her among Houston’s most accomplished culinary professionals.
From there, her passion only deepened. Chef Alannah has mastered the art of transforming fresh, local ingredients into dishes that not only delight the palate but tell a story. Each plate she creates reflects her belief that food should be a journey—one that captures culture, season, and emotion.
While she enjoys cooking across cuisines, her heart belongs to the flavors of her roots: Puerto Rican food. Growing up in South Florida, she was surrounded by a vibrant mix of cultures and cuisines, from Caribbean to Latin to Southern comfort. “Food was always how we connected,” she recalls. “My great-grandmother was a private chef, and she taught me that cooking isn’t just about feeding people—it’s about showing love.”
That spirit of love and connection infuses everything she does. Whether she’s catering an elegant dinner or preparing weekly community lunches through her local initiative, Chef Alannah’s focus remains the same: bringing people together through food.
When she’s not in the kitchen, you’ll likely find her spending time with family and friends, exploring local markets, traveling for inspiration, or testing new recipes that fuse her favorite global flavors.
For Chef Alannah, cooking is more than a profession—it’s a purpose. “Food should make people feel something,” she says. “Every dish I make is a reflection of my journey, my heritage, and the people who’ve supported me along the way. Without faith, family, and friends, none of this would have been possible.”
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road for Chef Alannah. Like many success stories, her journey began with adversity. Growing up as a young Latina woman in South Florida, she often found herself breaking barriers in male-dominated environments—first in the Marine Corps, and later in the culinary world. But rather than allowing those challenges to hold her back, they only strengthened her resolve to push forward and achieve every goal she set for herself.
The discipline, resilience, and leadership she developed during her military service became the foundation for her success as a chef and entrepreneur. When she launched her own company, she quickly discovered that the business side of food came with its own set of obstacles. In a thriving, food-loving city like Houston, earning recognition required not just skill, but perseverance and purpose.
Through every hurdle, Chef Alannah remained steadfast in her mission: to serve high-quality, affordable meals that speak for themselves. Her commitment to excellence, authenticity, and community has set her apart—transforming her vision into a respected brand that continues to grow, one meal and one connection at a time.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Chef Alannah’s Creations LLC was born out of the encouragement of friends, family, and community members who kept asking her to cook for them—and out of her deep desire to turn her passion into purpose. What began as a hobby quickly grew into a thriving business dedicated to serving the community she loves.
Today, Chef Alannah offers private chef services, catering, and more, earning recognition for her signature approach: delivering fresh, flavorful meals at affordable prices. Her philosophy is simple—great food should be accessible to everyone.
Among her proudest achievements are the connections she’s built within the local school community. Earlier this year, she launched a lunch program that has already helped feed hundreds of teachers, staff, and members of the community. Each meal is made fresh, with a rotating weekly menu that offers both healthy and savory options. The program is designed to be affordable, with no taxes or delivery fees, and a portion of the proceeds is donated back to participating schools at the end of the year.
The initiative has been such a success that Chef Alannah is now expanding it to reach more schools and neighborhoods across the Houston area. “Our teachers and school staff work tirelessly for our kids,” she says. “The least we can do is work just as hard to take care of them.”
Chef Alannah’s Creations LLC continues to grow, fueled by her commitment to quality, community, and compassion. The company proudly serves clients throughout Houston and beyond. For inquiries, email alannah@chefalannahscreationsllc.com or visit her website at www.chefalannahscreationsllc.com.
.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
“No request is too big or too small. Whether it’s crafting a custom birthday cake, preparing an intimate dinner, or catering an entire wedding, Chef Alannah and her team bring the same care, creativity, and flavor to every dish.”
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.chefalannahscreationsllc.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alannahvaldes/
- Facebook: Alannah Valdes
