the goods:
The Little Black Dress team LOVES food. Especially really good food. Now, we must admit, sometimes really good food to us means cheese fries, burritos the size of your head, and a really big bowl of creamy pasta. However, we also love really good food that’s really good for you. And that’s exactly what personal fitness chef Gwen Narcisse creates through her company Gwen’s Gourmet. We had a little Q&A time with her to find out about her foodie goodness and how she was inspired to do what she loves.
LBD|LRW: Why do you enjoy cooking?
Gwen: I love to eat. I love trying new dishes. I love different types of cuisine. I love talking about food. I love reading food magazines. I love “breaking bread” with family and friends…it’s only natural for me to enjoy cooking!
LBD|LRW: You were in the corporate world for a long time. What inspired you to transition to the kitchen world?
Gwen: I’ve used many of the skills, education, and experience from the corporate world to develop my business. I had been told time and time again by friends and family, “Gwen, you should open a restaurant, you should cater, your should sale lunches…” For years, those words went in one ear and out the other. Then, I read a book called 48 Days to the Job You Love by Dan Miller, and this was just the push I needed to transition my passion for cooking into a career.
LBD|LRW: Why is living your passion important?
Gwen: Working in your passion doesn’t mean you’re not working. It’s actually hard work! Yet, working hard at something I love feels so different at the end of the day than a typical day at the office. I believe in self-worth and integrity. One of my favorite quotes is, “Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it,” by Maya Angelou. I feel like I’m truly successful everyday now, and in a more fulfilling way than I ever could have been in the corporate world.
LBD|LRW: Why did you decide to be a personal chef?
Gwen: I love meeting new people and creating yummy cuisines customized to their tastes. Being a personal chef allows me the flexibility to cook a variety of meals. Everyone is different and I enjoy the diversity in the meals. There are so many different needs for different people–portion control, healthy meals, diabetic meals, gluten free meals, or even good ol’ fashioned southern meals–the list could go on and on.
LBD|LRW: Where do you see your career taking you in the future?
Gwen: I’ve received lots of support and encouragement from clients encouraging me to pursue other avenues in my career, such as opening a restaurant, packaging product, and even seeking television opportunities. It’s very flattering and overwhelming, but exciting! I sought this career hoping that I’d meet some fantastic people, and be able to provide a service to them that would benefit their families by allowing them to have more quality time. That’s fulfilling for me, yet I’ve received so much more in return! Who knows? One day you may see my restaurant as you drive down the road, my food packaged on the grocery store shelves, or my smiling face on your TV doing one of my favorite things in this world – cooking!
the guide:
for more info or to enlist Gwen’s culinary services: www.gwensgourmet.com or 678.400.0600
email: info@gwensgourmet.com
to enter Gwen’s giveaway click here!
To a terrific woman, that puts her heart and soul into everything she does. Congratulations, and blessed are those that cross your path! Cheers to success and fine cuisines!
I am so proud of you! Wishing you success now and in the future…..
I have had the pleasure of enjoying some of chef Gwen’s meals and they are absolutely delectable. Wishing you much success also!
Terrific article and as one who has personally had the pleasure of being on the receiving end of one of Chef Gwen’s meals I must say it is an experience worth having.
Wishing you success in your career, Chef Gwen!