Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food services but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Julia Chebotar, co-founder of Health Chefs, located in New York, NY, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
For today’s modern family, sitting down for a meal together has become nearly impossible. Preparing meals at home is an unwelcome hassle and, at times, very stressful. Our vision for Health Chefs is to take away the stress of planning daily meals and even the special ones by taking care of all the planning, shopping, cooking, serving, plus cleaning. So you can spend more time with the people who mean the most to you!
At Health Chefs, we want to bring nutrient-dense, flavorful, satisfying meals that help sustain our health, all without compromising taste or appeal. We strive to source local ingredients, choose what’s in season, and buy organic. Health Chefs wants to connect you with health-supportive professional chefs for meal prep, dinner parties, events, and more.
Health Chefs commit to minimizing overall environmental impacts, especially food waste. Our team uses biodegradable packaging, is conscious of food waste, and is encouraged to compost. We support brands that have good social ethics. Our clients are anyone looking for a chef to help them eat and feel better. We service all of NYC, Long Island, Hamptons, Philadelphia, Miami, DC, and LA.
Tell us about yourself
I am an award-winning chef and a Food Network’s Chopped Champion. Based in New York City, I have nearly a decade of experience under my belt. I worked as an executive chef, private chef, and restaurateur to bring food to life through bold flavors, colorful ingredients, and some extra spice when necessary!
I am passionate about creating recipes and food solutions founded upon a healthy, sustainable, and supportive lifestyle that is both fun and enjoyable. With a knack for social media marketing and public speaking, I've cultivated a following of nearly 15,000 people across different social media platforms. I constantly develop new and creative recipes and contribute content for notable media outlets, brands, and magazines.
Health Chefs – was created by two private chefs that are passionate about providing sustainable and health-supportive meals for our clients. Our mission is to provide support within our community of chefs to ensure we all exceed. Our team carefully selects chefs to pair with each client to provide a perfect match for creating a unique experience. We have 20 chefs working together to bring health-supportive meals to our clients and help create healthy habits.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I've become known as a culinary expert who shares my knowledge on podcasts, corporate wellness seminars, virtual webinars, virtual team-building events, and virtual cooking classes. My biggest accomplishment has been competing in the food network's Chopped and winning as well as several other shows that haven't aired yet.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
I try and make self-care very important. I take care of my clients daily, and when coming home exhausted, cooking for myself is something I struggle with. So I make sure to meal prep on my days off. I make sure I always have staples in my fridge like celery, kale, apples, cucumbers, pineapple, tomatoes, onions, garlic, eggs, bread, and canned proteins like sardines, tuna, and anchovies. Sardines are an excellent source of vitamin B-12. This vitamin helps your cardiovascular system and gives you energy. In addition, these fish contain a healthy amount of vitamin D. Along with B-12, D is necessary for good bone health throughout your life.
Every business has its ups and downs. Having immigrated to the US as a young child and then choosing a male-dominated industry for my career as an adult, the journey to where I am now has not been easy. As a female chef in the world of food, I have drawn heavily from the strength of woman chefs that have come before me to drive my own motivation to succeed in culinary arts. I’ve never been one to play it safe when it comes to any aspects of my life, which has also translated into my career. From opening an organic vegan cafe in bustling NYC to starting my own personal cheffing business with an aim to make healthy eating more accessible for everyone, I am proud to be a self-made woman.
Aside from my passion for food and wellness, my biggest goal in life is to help others discover that health and the enjoyment of food don’t have to be mutually exclusive. I’ve had to be self-motivated in almost all aspects of my career, diving into the nitty-gritty of running a successful business while constantly improving my culinary skills. Thankfully, I’ve also realized the power derived from the community and have surrounded myself with like-minded women chefs striving to shake up the food scene.
Daily, I still rely on the advice from the strong, powerful women in my own life to guide my choices and give me the confidence I need to be a boss and leader in the health chef community. My greatest hope is that up-and-coming female chefs can look to me someday as a role model and source of inspiration for their own culinary journeys.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Make a plan.
- Legalize your business.
- Hire a virtual assistant to help with clerical work and help you be on top of everything.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Aside from all things food, my business prowess includes:
► Creating and sharing engaging food and wellness content across social media platforms. (Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Snapchat, TikTok)
► Developing recipes and contributing content for notable media outlets, brands, and magazines.
► Speaking as a culinary expert and brand strategist on podcasts and live video and audio segments.
► Creating and leading engaging individual and group cooking/wellness classes.
► Conducting corporate wellness seminars, virtual webinars, virtual team-building events, and virtual cooking classes.
Want to learn more about what I do, or think there’s an opportunity to collaborate? I’d love to connect! Message me directly or email me at hello@healthchefjulia.com! I offer various services from meal prep, dinner events, food & culinary health consulting, cooking classes, and large corporate lunch & learns as well as virtual team-building cooking competitions.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice? I think that all female entrepreneurs need to attend a Six Degrees Society Events! I met the most amazing and inspiring badass ladies who have helped me in all my business and growth struggles. It is the best girl gang to support your dreams!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://healthchefs.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/healthchefs
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/healthchefs/
https://www.instagram.com/healthchefjulia/
https://www.instagram.com/vegheadchef/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/health-chefs-by-tina-julia/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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