Today we’d like to introduce you to Kayla Carnevale.
Kayla, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Hello everyone! My name is Kayla Carnevale (a lot of people call me “Chef Kiki”) and I’m 36 years old. I’m a Pennsylvania transplant living in California, via the Marine Corps. I served in Operation Iraqi Freedom during the invasion of 2003. I subsequently was hurt in an IED explosion while I was the 50 caliber gunner. I suffered nerve damage to my left arm, ligament damage to my right knee, rotator cuff damage in my right arm, and traumatic brain injury. I also suffered from shrapnel to my face and sternum.
Post Marine Corps career, I opened up a very successful government contracting company, Dynamik Incorporated. During my CEO years, I used my Post 911 GI Bill to go to school to achieve my AA & CPC (Certified Pastry Chef) at the Art Institute of California, San Diego. After eight years of sweat, blood, and tears, I decided being a CEO was not for me. I then opened up a catering business, Madame Kiki’s Productions, which is still operational today. During this time, I used my time and efforts to do more philanthropy than work. I have received many state and national awards for my efforts, public speaking, and continue to do this to this day, in both animal and human charities. I am the Crown Princess For Life of the Imperial Court de San Diego (Straight Ally) and I am the head chef at the Scott Carlson Community Thanksgiving dinner that feeds hundreds of people.
As of today, I own two companies in sunny San Diego, CA, Madame Kiki’s Productions & Glamourbomb Productions, which is a burlesque and production company. I am also the Culinary Expert and put on cooking shows at Bloomingdale’s at Fashion Valley. Due to COVID-19, I have been live streaming shows on Monday and Friday nights on The Quarantine Network on Facebook and on my YouTube Channel. I decided to go back to grad school to earn a psychology degree and help veterans and trauma victims, as well as veterans in the legal system, as I have immense backgrounds in all.
Has it been a smooth road?
Life has been one big obstacle after another with me! My advice to young women starting their journey is to be patient. Careers don’t happen overnight! Don’t let anyone talk down to you and stand up for what you believe in, even if it’s an unpopular opinion. Overall… NEVER GIVE UP!!!
Alright – so let’s talk business. What else should we know about your work?
I am most known for my amazing culinary skills, my funny personality as an MC, burlesque dancer, charity work, and years of modeling. As far as culinary, I don’t like to say I specialize in one thing… I try to specialize in everything!
Often it feels as if the media, by and large, is only focused on the obstacles faced by women, but we feel it’s important to also look for the opportunities. In your view, are there opportunities that you see that women are particularly well positioned for?
Women are becoming successful leaders in this world. It might take a while to find your fit, but you’ll eventually get there. I can’t stress enough to not give up!!!
Contact Info:
- Email: chefkikismash@gmail.com
- Instagram: @MadameKikiSmash
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/madamekikismash
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq78X472eeEHeqegO8QgLXg?view_as=subscriber
Image Credit:
Vixen Photography & Peep Show Pixels
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