Today we’d like to introduce you to NaTosha Barber.
Hi NaTosha, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve always had a passion for cooking but never thought of it as a career. I would always cook for family and friends and even for co-workers at work events but never thought about making it a career because I never went to culinary school for it. After having a few people suggest that I pursue it, I stepped out on faith and decided to create 210 Fusion Cuisine and Chef Tae became the driving force behind my vision. Through networking and getting my name out there, I began to be recognized for the food that I put out each year. Since 2023 I have been voted Outsmart Gayest and Greatest top local chef by my peers in the Greater Houston area, just being recognized that way consistently shows that I have been something right. Thru my love for food and sharing with my clients, it has taken me across the country and to meet people, I thought I may never get a chance to meet.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Being an upstart has had its challenges, especially at the beginning in 2018-20. At the time I was trying to get my name out there and the one thing that helped was being consistent with the product I put out there. I didn’t have the financial backing because everything was done out of my pockets with whatever savings I had but being consistent opened doors for me. Then in 2020 Covid took over and just when I was finding my footing, I had to recreate who I was, but I think my past experience with competing in College athletics helped with reinventing and thriving. I took advantage of what the pandemic gave me. At a time when the world was practicing social distance, it gave me the opportunity to be take advantage when touching at the time was dangerous due to the pandemic, I was able to put out a product to clients that even though the world stopped, living didn’t. I started focusing on being a private chef and flourished. When we came out on the other side, I was able to maintain business relationships that generated repeat customers for years to come.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
210 Fusion Cuisine and Chef Tae have been consistently known for great food and great customer service. As time as changed from going into a Global pandemic to the world opening up again and in spite of any challenges that a small business owners may go through, we have stay relevant in the Greater Houston area as well as in Texas and other states in the South. I think the one thing that sets me apart is that when my clients hire me, they welcome me as family by the end of the events I have been booked for. I really like the personal connection I have had with each and every client I have had through the years. That will always translate into ongoing business relationships and successful referrals for new business.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I am always open to collaborating with other chefs as well as others in the entertainment business. My dream job is to cater for some of the major sports teams (players) here in the Houston area simply because of my love for food and sports. Just waiting for that call from the Texans, Astros, Rockets or any of the other sports teams or players here.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/210fusion?igsh=dmVuZzB3bzJxOGk4
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1DN3Mwp9xa/
