Meet Danielle Webley

We recently connected with Danielle Webley and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Danielle, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

I knew from a very young age that I wanted to be a chef. I remember watching shows like Iron Chef, Nigella Eats, Good Eats, and Emeril Live and thinking that I wanted to do that. I didn’t necessarily want to be famous, but I wanted to see the joy that people have when they eat my food. I was fascinated by the complexity of food, the flavor combinations, and how food can teach you about a culture.

My mom was a single mom and her coworkers were from all over the world. They would have dinners at the hospital where she worked, and they would let me stay with her and eat the amazing food.

My mom wanted me to be a nurse, so I studied medicine from high school until my first few years of college. I realized that wasn’t my calling, and my mom saw how miserable I was. She told me to follow my dream and apply to culinary school. Even though she worried that I wouldn’t have a stable job, she knew that my happiness was more important. Unfortunately, she passed away after my first semester of school, but I hope she would be proud of the chef I am today.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I am a personal chef and caterer in Miami, FL, specializing in upscale casual cuisine. I cater to a variety of events, including boat parties, small gatherings, and family dinners. My culinary style is heavily influenced by my Jamaican heritage and my upbringing in Miami, where I was exposed to a diverse range of cuisines, including Cuban, Jamaican, American, and Asian. I enjoy recreating traditional dishes with a modern twist and sharing them with my loved ones.

Currently, I work as a cook at North Italia (Dadeland), where I have developed a passion for crafting upscale Italian cuisine, particularly pizza. Witnessing the joy that my cooking brings to others is incredibly rewarding and is at the heart of my passion for the culinary arts.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

To be a successful chef, you need to be able to communicate, manage your time well, and pay attention to the little things. Communication is super important when you’re leading and working with other cooks during a shift. Time management and a sense of urgency are also key; in the kitchen, every second counts, and you can’t waste time! Finally, attention to detail is vital. Recipes have specific instructions, preparation methods, and ingredients that need to be followed. Dishes won’t be successful if they aren’t prepared correctly.

Practice makes perfect, be open to learning from your mistakes and trying new things! That’s how you become a master in the kitchen. Even the best chefs were once beginners, so don’t let any setbacks bring you down, they’re all part of the learning process. Enjoy the ride of discovering new culinary skills, and before you know it, you’ll be cooking up a storm.

Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?

The fast-paced, high-pressure environment of a kitchen can be overwhelming, and even the most seasoned chefs can crack under pressure. Throughout my culinary career, I have learned to remain calm and collected in the face of adversity. While it’s easy to get caught up in the moment, it’s important to remember to breathe, stay focused, and maintain perspective – after all, it’s just food.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @chefdanni