Meet Deandre Smith | Chef & Content Creator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Deandre Smith and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi DeAndre, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
The thought process for me starting the Chef Cool Dre brand, was to Give people the opportunity to experience an in-home chef at a reasonable price. I understood that I would always be in business because people needed to eat. And I felt that I could solve peoples problems Taking away one of the most tedious jobs when preparing for the holidays, birthdays, and vacations.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I got to this place of where I am now through consistency and prayer. I’ve been in the hospitality industry for a little over a decade. Through my time of being a chef I’ve struggled with imposter syndrome and self-doubt. As someone who cooked for a living for others, my goal has always been to make people happy. Understanding that us as humans we can’t make everyone happy regardless of how hard we try the thought of always trying to be perfect. Places you in a box without you even knowing. The biggest challenge that I’ve had to overcome is understanding that I don’t have to be perfect and learning to trust myself. The biggest obstacle that I have suffered with as a chef is giving myself enough grace when it comes to not knowing everything. An as I gained more knowledge About what it is that I like to do, my style of cooking and what makes me happy. I’ve learned that it’s okay to try new things even when I don’t know or I fail at it.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Anytime my friends come to town the first place they’re going to stop as my house. They understand that I’m going to cook dinner as we share a few drink and laughs. The next day, we’re most likely going to one of my favorite restaurants Sap Sau, Alma Fonda Fina, or randomly looking for a brunch spot to have over sized drinks like at Wings and Burgers. Afterwards, we would go out to either a concert or to watch the Denver Broncos or Nuggets play.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
On the early stages of my journey. I was lucky enough to have two very impactful mentors. That helped guide an shape the path to success. With being a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. I had the luxury of learning under my frat brother Chef Joel Mays III and soror Lisa Givens. These two incredible individuals gave me the opportunity to learn under their mentorship until I became credible enough to stand on my own.

Instagram: Chef Cool Dre

Linkedin: DeAndre Smith

Facebook: I am Chef Cool Dre

Youtube: @chefcooldre

Image Credits
Photographer: Jaxon Mundis
Owner: Jem Stone Photos
Instagram: @jemstonephoto