Today we’d like to introduce you to Chef Vee.
Hi Chef , it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’ve been in the kitchen for as long as I can remember. I started cooking at just 9 years old, and what began as a childhood passion eventually grew into a career I could have only dreamed of back then.
In 2020, I took that passion to the next level by attending Le Cordon Bleu. The following year, I completed a four-month externship in Lima, Peru, where I had the opportunity to work alongside and learn from a variety of talented chefs. That experience exposed me to different techniques, flavors, and approaches to food, and it really helped shape the chef I am today.
Since then, my career has taken me places I never imagined. I’ve cooked for celebrity clients including Ludacris, Jo Koy, and Wanya Morris, as well as professional NBA and NFL players. I’ve also had the opportunity to work with major brands and organizations, including Amazon, T-Mobile, and Papa John’s, along with charitable foundations and special events.
I’ve even stepped into the competitive cooking world, becoming a finalist on Guy’s Grocery Games. But for me, the biggest accomplishment is being able to take something I fell in love with at 9 years old and turn it into a career that continues to challenge me, introduce me to incredible people, and open new doors.
My story really started with a kid who loved to cook. Everything since then has been about seeing just how far that passion can take me.
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 definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Being a woman in a traditionally male-dominated industry comes with its own set of challenges, and there have been moments when I’ve had to work harder to make sure my talent, knowledge, and leadership speak for themselves.
At the same time, those challenges have become some of my greatest motivation. They push me to keep learning, sharpening my skill set, and raising the standard I set for myself. Over time, I realized it wasn’t just about proving to other people what I was capable of. More importantly, it was about proving to myself that I could perform under pressure, lead with confidence, and execute at a high level without losing the passion and love that brought me into this industry in the first place.
Whether I’m facing challenges in the kitchen, navigating customer service, or stepping into a leadership role, I’ve learned to adapt, stay focused, and keep moving forward. The road hasn’t always been easy, but every obstacle has helped shape me into a stronger chef, businesswoman, and leader.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Today, I’m proud to be recognized as one of the top personal chefs in Las Vegas, and I’ve been blessed to build a career that has allowed me to work with celebrity clients, professional athletes, major brands, and people from all walks of life. But as proud as I am of what I’ve built, the part of my career that means the most to me goes far beyond the names on my client list.
What I’m most proud of is the impact I’ve been able to have on other people. Over the past decade in Las Vegas, mentoring other chefs and helping push their careers forward has become a huge part of my purpose. I know firsthand what it feels like to build something from the ground up, to be discouraged, to question whether you’re going to make it, and to keep going even when the support you expected from friends or family isn’t there.
Ironically, some of the greatest support throughout my journey has come from complete strangers. Those strangers became clients, supporters, advocates, and ultimately a major pillar of my success. That experience taught me how important it is to create opportunities for others.
Today, I try to be that same kind of support for my community. I mentor, collaborate with other chefs, support small businesses, and host events that give entrepreneurs and creatives a platform to showcase their talents. My success isn’t just about how far I’ve been able to take my own business. I’m most proud of being able to reach back, open doors, and help someone else take theirs further.
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
One of my favorite childhood memories is traveling to Mexico every year for the Fourth of July with my family. We would rent a house near the beach, long before Airbnb or VRBO were even a thing, and for that little stretch of time, life just felt free.
When I look back on those trips now, I realize how special that freedom really was. There were no bills, no responsibilities, and no pressure. I could simply be a kid, surrounded by family, enjoying the beach and making memories that I didn’t yet understand would become so valuable to me later in life.
I’m especially grateful to my mother and my sister, who has since passed away, for giving me those experiences. Like every family, we went through our share of trials and tribulations, but they still made sure I had a childhood filled with moments I can look back on with gratitude.
As an adult, those memories mean even more to me. They remind me that even during difficult chapters of life, there can still be joy, freedom, love, and moments worth holding onto.
Pricing:
- 1,500 minimum
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.somethinscooking.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/somethinscooking
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/somethinscooking
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/somethinscooking
