Today we’d like to introduce you to Tiffany Thomas.
Hi Tiffany, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I am the proud Owner, Chef, and Nutritionist of Seasoned Soul Wellness LLC where I offer personalized healthy meal-prep to busy professionals who want to save time and energy for what is most important. I am also the Owner and Business Coach of Tiffany Thomas Coaching LLC – helping other chefs to start and grow their own profitable private chef business.
I started cooking at a very young age- pushing a chair up to the counter to help roll pasta with my Sicilian grandpa, Frank… I loved the care, the presentation, and the feeling of making people happy through food. In search of more, I left my small hometown at 18 to attend culinary school in the city.
My professional kitchen career spanned 12 years in renowned fine-dining kitchens such as Altura Restaurant, Mistral Kitchen, Cascina Spinasse, and Lark Restaurant. Eventually, I realized owning a restaurant was no longer my dream as it was needlessly stressful and couldn’t support the life I wanted to live.
I slowly transitioned away- creating a business model that supports me and my family creatively, financially, and emotionally. It is truly a dream! I have lived in Seattle, Maui, and now Long Beach. Southern California has by far been the best fit for our family.
My curiosity has continued to grow as my passion in life is traveling the world to experience the gifts of traditional cuisines, architecture, people, and cultures. My dream, drive, and Why is to travel internationally full-time!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I planted the seed to leave the restaurant industry two years before doing so. Being a cook doesn’t offer the privileges of adequate pay to build a healthy savings account, paid vacation, or sick leave, so I scraped pennies together to gain certifications in Holistic Nutrition Consulting and then Yoga Teaching. No one I knew was doing what I dreamt of so it was completely DIY for me for the first few years. I received criticism from peers for leaving the industry as they attempted to fill me with doubt. Despite these setbacks, I slowly gained one client after another until Seasoned Soul Wellness was fully booked! I created a one-stop-shop for whole body wellness combining healthy meal-preparation customized to the client’s nutritional needs with private yoga instruction.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
We help chefs nationwide transition to the private chef world by removing the guesswork from starting and growing their own profitable business. Our signature program, Six Figure Chef Method, combines 1:1 coaching and a done-for-you business model template showing chefs the most efficient and joyful way to monetize their passion for food. Our Strategy Sessions offer ongoing support to program graduates and those with an existing private chef company.
Working smarter – not harder – chefs enjoy creative and financial abundance to live life on their terms by crafting in-home healthy meal prep in their unique style for their ideal client base. At Tiffany Thomas Coaching LLC, we are proud to empower chefs to understand they embody everything they need to build a strong business by designing their business model around their personality and life goals. We offer the roadmap, accountability, and support to make their dreams a reality. From crafting a solid niche to learning savvy client management systems, chefs build confidence to acquire and maintain long-term relationships with happy clients. Upon completion of the Six Figure Chef Method, chefs are eligible to join our Chef’s Collective to receive cooking opportunities from clients in their area.
At one point or another, we all need an experienced mentor to help guide us through the next stages as we pivot and grow our business. And I know exactly what it’s like working in the often toxic world of professional kitchens wanting more. Other business coaches don’t understand the mental conditioning and lack of self-worth that comes along with being a ‘good’ restaurant employee. Furthermore, many programs are financially out of reach for low-income cooks. Running a business is having the courage to step out of this abusive cycle and saying, “I deserve more.” When chefs get that burst of courage to reach their potential, I am here to guide them and at an accessible price point.
It is my mission to end chef poverty! I wake up each day looking forward to helping transform the lives of talented people in the hospitality industry.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
When looking for a coach or mentor, find one with shared experiences so you know they understand where you’ve been to better help build a roadmap for where you’re going.
Contact Info:
- Email: tiffany@cheftiffanythomas.com
- Website: cheftiffanythomas.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/cheftiffanythomas
- Other: seasoned-soul.com
Image Credits
Tiffany Thomas
