Daily Inspiration: Meet Samantha Sterrett

Today we’d like to introduce you to Samantha Sterrett

Samantha, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Since I was about 10 I knew I wanted to be a chef! Once I got to high school I took culinary and competed in competitions across the valley, then as a senior I traveled to Japan as an exchange student and had the opportunity to meet kids from all around the world, and I learned about food from all kinds of cultures. Once I returned I went to Arizona Culinary Institute after graduating high school. I graduated in 2014, and started working at restaurants as a cook. I didn’t really feel like it quite fit in so I hopped around from fine dinning to bistros. I decided to step into front of the house and became a manager at Native Grill and Wings. I loved it. The atmosphere the people, the staff. Unfortunately some good things have to come to a close, and the owners sold, I wasn’t a fan of the direction Native was going so I decided to part ways. After that I decided I had learned just enough that I would be comfortable stepping out to try my hand at personal chef work. I started meal prepping for my neighbors, and found an opportunity to take on Bachelorette parties. I started on Super Bowl Sunday in February of 2023 and by June I had taken on enough parties to leave the part time serving job I had taken up.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely has not been smooth. I am still getting the hang of somethings, and the holiday season is slow for me. Learning what permits and licenses I need to properly operate is still a difficult thing to navigate. Marketing is not my strong suit and I am still trying to get my name out there

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a personal chef and chef for hire.
Taking the first step is always the hardest part, and I think I waited way to long to take it so finally taking that step and trusting my intuition is something I am most proud of, there are so many people I talk to that never take that step and are left wondering what could have happened.

I love making dishes from all around the world and sharing what I know with the parties cook for, giving them options from a variety of places.

I am known for being super friendly and accommodating to each parties individual needs, creating a unique experience for everyone I cook for.

You know, there are so many great and talented Chefs it can be hard to set yourself a part from other chefs. This was the question I have sat and thought about for a long time. I don’t think I fully have it quite yet but right now I believe what sets me apart is my combined love of people and food. Food brings people together, and I try to be that provider that helps the process. Letting people who book with me find the foods that will bring the most happiness to their event, big or small.

Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
Luck and I have never really been friends. In starting my business I think I have had both good and bad luck strike. I took that leap of faith and luck would have it I could step away from having to work for someone else and pave my own path, but when it comes to making my name I keep striking out. I have had no luck on social media marketing. and for me, luck is more like a lesson. The good comes with reward for something learned and the bad is a lesson I am still having to learn.

Pricing:

• Meal Prep Delivery $180 plus groceries
• Dinner Parties $108-$198 per person
• Bachelorette/Bachelor $98 per person

Contact Info:

• Website: https://scrapdinner.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scrapdinner
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/scrapdinner
• Other: https://linktr.ee/scrapdinner