We’re looking forward to introducing you to Kisha Washington. Check out our conversation below.
Kisha, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
Something I’m building, that’s a question I had to think about. I actually don’t show much as it is, maybe some things through social media like pictures, dining experiences I do, or competitions I enter, but behind the scenes is where I feel the most proud, involved, focused, etc. Im building out my nonprofit organization Cookzcreed Foundation to where we can provide mental health resources, programs, research, tools, and more to those in the culinary and hospitality industry. Writing and self publishing my first book last year was such a proud moment and highlight for the organization.
What nobody sees is the long nights, the writing, the research, the emails, and all that goes into building out things that the industry needs. Mental health is such an important part of what we go through in the kitchen.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Kisha Washington and I’m the Executive Chef and Owner of TheKeyIngredient, LLC an upscale private dining experience. I’m also the Founder of an organization called Cookzcreed Foundation, helping chefs and hospitality individuals get mental health and substance abuse resources.
I’m also a competition chef, I travel to compete in large cooking competitions. I have won numerous awards and accolades for concepts and dishes. My biggest wins have placing Top 10, 8 times at the World Food Championships, 1st place and grand prize at the NCACS and many more.
Besides owning businesses and competing, Im a self published author, and mental health advocate. Im currently working on 2 books, and building out the non-profit organization.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
I have had lots of moments that have shaped my world, and how I see it. But the one that had changed it completely was the suicide of someone close to me. It was a moment I can never forget, but it taught me so much about others, and about myself. For those that are suicide survivors, it’s a grief that is so hard to put into words, so difficult to navigate, and really re-wires how you see the world.
One thing I learned through this experience that stays with me to this day is, give yourself grace and hold space for others. Life is unpredictable, hold space for yourself and others.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
One thing that suffering has taught me is that life is unpredictable and unsure. It feels scary to navigate at times, but somehow is brings you depth, it brings you perspective, and resilience. I believe success can bring a bit of that if you know why you want the success, and what it takes to get there for that particular person, but real character, real strength is built in the times when you’re at the abyss, in the dark moments of your life.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
In the culinary and hospitality industry, there is the good, the bad, the ugly. Every industry I believe has its faults, the lies they tell you to do your job. But, in my industry some lies they tell chefs and those in hospitality are: 1. You can work the long hours, and no need to balance work and life. 2. Mental health isn’t important when it comes to cooking, either do it, or get out of the kitchen. And 3. What they show on TV is real chef life. All of these are lies.
Chefs need life and work balance. Mental health should be number 1 priority when working in a kitchen. And the TV is for entertainment, chef lives are real and the TV is not true representation of what we actually go through.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
The story I hope people tell others when I’m gone is she helped change the way the industry looks at chefs, mental health and well-being. The organization Kisha put together was a place that was safe, chefs could be seen and heard, and she helped others not in the industry understand what chefs and hospitality individuals really go through.
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.thekeyingredientllc.com, Www.cookzcreedfoundation.org
- Instagram: @chefkish_dyan @cookzcreedfoundation
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
