Today we’d like to introduce you to Walter Carter.
Walter, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. I’ve been cooking since the age of 8 or 9 years old. Clueless and no knowledge as to what I was doing. Fast-forward to 2015 when I cooked for a gathering that had a caterer but canceled on them the day just about a few hours before the event started. At the time, I was working at a sandwich shop helping a customer as she was telling me her story. I told her ill cook for your event. Talking about scared from the inside out, but something told me to jump and make this happen. After it was all done, the family was elated. They praised for what an awesome job I’ve done. Food was amazing and from that day forward, I’ve decided to attend culinary school.
By may 2015 I attended Dorsey Culinary School in Roseville, Michigan. While I was there, I’ve had amazing opportunities from working under executive and master chefs, cooking for celebrities at 5 stars 4 diamonds at The Townsends Hotel, doing weddings, birthdays and anniversaries on yachts. One of my culinary instructors told me about an opportunity with Whole Foods Market so I jump on it fast. I’ve learned so much about organic, vegans, vegetarian and basic diets and food intake. By the end of 2016, I graduated with honors and top of my class. Still working at (WFM) but feeling stagnant. So by mid-2017, through (WFM), I was able to transfer to Arizona.
By 2018, I’ve had the opportunity to work at the luxurious The Phoenician Hotel and Resort and what a blast it was leaning under amazing chefs with making different sauces, learning new cutting techniques, making signature dishes for high-end clients. Even though I was having fun in the kitchen, I still wasn’t satisfied with my progress. At this time, I’ve reconnected with a friend which is now my fiancé Yolanda Robinson.
She pushed me above and beyond my abilities to do what I love the most and that’s being in the kitchen in my zone. By early 2019 I created Chef Carters Culinary LLC. Where here we create meal prep for clients that wants to eat right, for clients that just doesn’t have time to be in a kitchen. We also make a family meal, you can hire a private chef to do the work in the kitchen for you and in the near future, we will be doing cooking classes. At the same time, my fiancé and I created Pamper & Eatz LLC and with us you get a private chef and a licensed aesthetician that come to you with fine dining and amazing facials with a shoulder and arm massage. Also, it comes with the whole ambiance setting from table decor, lights, music, candles, balloons etc. There’s still more to come so just stay tuned…
Has it been a smooth road?
Man ill be lying if I said it was easy. Everyday was and still is a struggle, especially when COVID-19 hit us. So many plans were coming so fast but all had to be on hold. But going backward before COVID-19, I remember spending over $1000.00 on food to sell plates and didn’t sell not one plate. Talking about crushed but my passion for food lead me to keep going.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
My business is Chef Carters Culinary LLC, where we specialize and are known for in meal prep, family meals, private catering. The fact that I have a business is beyond my wildest dreams and to actually live it and act in it as an entrepreneur is a blessing itself. What set us from everyone else is the prices are affordable, we create dishes that satisfying, taste amazing, everyone is treated as family and did I say black-owned!
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Absolutely!!! I can say with confidence that my business is moving much faster in Arizona than if I had started my brand in Michigan. We’re living in the ‘restaurant land’ as people say. What we need more of is just support. Supporting one another instead of us thinking everything is a competition. We can win and grow together faster, like never before.
Pricing:
- 7 day meal prep poultry $90.00
- Family meal of 4 starts at $40.00. Call for details
Contact Info:
- Website: www.Chefcartersculinary.com
- Phone: 602-664-0043
- Email: chefcarterculinary@gmail.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/chefcartersculinary
- Facebook: Facebook.com/chefcartersculinary
Image Credit:
Me and my fiancé Yolanda Robinson
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