The Day Our Table Chefs Was Born: Empowering Female Chefs One Headshot at a Time
It started with a simple need—I just wanted a new headshot.
I had never had a professional photo taken before, and honestly, I almost canceled. I was nervous and second-guessing everything. But something inside me kept urging me to follow through. I was lucky to have a dear friend,
@pecheney , someone I’ve known for years, behind the camera. That helped ease my nerves. So did being in a gorgeous kitchen, preparing a dish with some of my favorite ingredients, exchanging a meal for the use of the space. And then there was that chef coat—this bold, beautiful piece made by Hannah Staddon of
@funkychefco
Wearing that coat, cooking in that kitchen, standing in front of the lens—I saw myself in a new light. I’d never seen myself like that before. And I felt… seen. Confident. Capable. Whole. That photoshoot gave me a spark I didn’t know I needed.
As soon as it ended, I called Hannah and told her the idea that had just been born: What if we did this for other women in food? What if we helped them feel seen too?
That’s when Our Table Chefs was born.
Throughout my career, I’ve had the honor of working alongside some incredible chefs—from my Southern Ground team for five years to the Masters team last April. In most kitchens, I’ve often been the only woman in the room. I’ve worked hard to earn my place, and even harder to support and lift others while doing it. Always with good food and good music.
But here’s what I know now: every chef, no matter their background or gender, brings something powerful to the table. The most important ingredient? Passion. Whether it’s for cooking, creating, or nurturing—if that passion is met with respect and support, it ignites something special in all of us. If it’s not, it quickly becomes a chore. Let that sink in.
Our Table Chefs is about that ignition. It’s about holding space for women in this industry to feel valued, seen, and celebrated—not just for what they cook, but for who they are.
This is just the beginning.
#ourtablechefs #ourtable #ourtablechs #womenwhocook #femalechef #femalechefs #privatechef #caterers #yachtchef #entrepreneurship
