An Inspired Chat with Chance Smith

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Chance Smith. Check out our conversation below.

Hi Chance , thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What is a normal day like for you right now?
A normal day is spent coordinating chefs, staying in contact with our current clients, while also forming new startegic partnerships and onboarding new clients

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
When I first stepped into the world of food, it wasn’t just about what was on the plate—it was about the people behind it. Leading the team at Eat Cook Joy, I’ve made it my mission to create something bigger than a meal service. Together with our team, we’re building an ecosystem where chefs are empowered to do what they do best: cook with passion, creativity, and care.

Rather than chasing the soulless model of a quick-turn marketplace, Eat Cook Joy is redefining what it means to connect chefs and communities. Every dinner, every meal prep, every event is designed to be more than a service—it’s an experience, rooted in craft and fueled by joy. For me, success isn’t measured in transactions, but in the stories shared at the table, the opportunities created for chefs, and the reputation of being the very best name in the personal and private chef space

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
There was a night I’ll never forget. A private dinner for a family who hadn’t all been together in years. The pressure was high, emotions were even higher, and we had to create more than just another service- we had to create a memory. I watched my team rise to the occasion, every plate crafted with precision, every detail handled with care. When the final course went out, I caught a glimpse of the family around the table. The laughing, crying, reconnecting… I felt something shift.

In that moment, I understood that what we do isn’t just about food. It’s about giving people experiences that touch their lives, that remind them of what matters. The pride I felt in my team and the passion that lit inside me that night still fuels me today. It was the moment I knew; we can change the world, one plate at a time.

What’s something you changed your mind about after failing hard?
I’ve failed hard. Really hard. And each time, the fear leading up to it was always worse than the crash itself. The moment you hit the bottom and realize you can pick yourself up, pivot, and move immediately. Those are the moments that redefine you.

In entrepreneurship and operations, failure is proof you’re still pushing, still knocking on doors, still sharp. If I’m not failing, I’m coasting. And coasting isn’t an option. I take every lesson, bank it, and keep charging forward, because staying on the edge is where the magic happens. So what shifted in my mind? I’ll fail at more shots than most people will ever take. For that reason alone, we’ll win more than most people can ever imagine.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
The biggest lies my industry tells itself? That success is only measured in revenue or clicks. That efficiency means squeezing chefs until they break. That a marketplace can replace human connection. That the numbers are more important than care, craft, and experience. This is why there’s a lifeless franchised restaurant on every corner and our neighborhoods look like a dystopian Norman Rockwell nightmare.

I’ve watched it happen, businesses chasing growth at the expense of the people who make it all possible. But here’s what I’ve learned: the real power comes from the humans behind the food. From chefs who can do what they do best without being treated like cogs in an infernal machine. From experiences that stick with people long after the meal is over. From building a living, breathing ecosystem, not a soulless platform built by soulless suits.

If you’re not pushing boundaries, failing, learning, and obsessing over every plate, you’re just part of the noise. The industry loves to pretend that efficiency and scale are everything—but the truth is, the magic, the pride, and the moments that change lives come from passion, craft, and fearless creativity. That’s what I chase every single day.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What will you regret not doing? 
Buying Bitcoin in 2009, obviously. Beyond that, nothing. If I want to do something, I do it (within the boundaries of almost every law). I refuse to die with regrets left behind. This world isn’t about playing it safe, it’s about leaping to spite the ones who say “don’t”. It’s about doing the thing that scares you, showing up fully, and refusing to settle for half-measures. Life, love, work, and leadership are meant to be lived with fire in your chest and obsession in your bones. Take the leap. Chase the impossible. Lead with passion. Because the moments that matter, the ones that leave a mark, are built by the people who refuse to tiptoe through life. You never watched a movie about the guy who didn’t do anything…

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.eatcookjoy.com
• Instagram: eatcookjoy
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chance-smith-2ab31066?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3B64JxLHRCROC69vO%2F89Z1Gw%3D%3D

Image Credits
Eat Cook Joy

Chance Smith