We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sarah Cooper a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Sarah, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?
Honestly, it’s all about staying curious about food and it’s place in the world around us. I set aside time to explore new recipes, techniques, and ingredients. Whether it’s attending a cooking class or diving into a new cookbook, I’m always looking for ways to expand my culinary knowledge. The more I learn about food, the more I see new ways to work with our local ingredients. Growing up on a farm, I had the privilege of learning to cook with the freshest fruits and veggies. It was always a good day when you came home to an old grocery bag of fresh veggies on the side steps, a neighbor had brought from their garden. Traveling has been a significant source of inspiration for me and helps stoke the creative fire. From eating Stroopwafels in The Netherlands, a Belgian Fry tour in Brussels, to hunting truffles in France we always come back to the kitchen with fresh ideas and a renewed sense of creativity. Cooking should be fun! We are always encouraging our team to inject a sense of playfulness into their work, whether it’s through whimsical plating techniques or unexpected flavor combinations. Food is as much about pleasure as it is sustenance. Working with seasonal and local ingredients challenges me to think outside the box and find new ways to highlight their flavors. It’s incredibly rewarding to create dishes that celebrate the best of what each season has to offer.
Taking time to reflect on the creative process allows us to evolve as a chefs. Whether a dish turns out perfectly or needs improvement, there’s always something to learn from the experience. Passion is the driving force behind everything I do in the kitchen. I approach each day with a sense of curiosity and excitement, eager to discover new flavors and techniques.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I started The Carolina Chef in 2018 and in 2021 Alex came on board. I feel like I laid the foundation, but now we are building and growing together as a team. We specialize in creating exceptional culinary experiences. We have a unique way of weaving together culinary artistry, storytelling, and personalized service to create unforgettable moments for our clients.
What sets us apart is the emphasis creating a full experience. I believe that food has the power to evoke emotions, spark memories, and create connections. That’s why we take the time to get to know each client, understanding their culinary preferences, dietary restrictions, and the stories they want to tell through their dining experience.
Whether it’s an intimate anniversary dinner, a milestone celebration, or a family vacation, we strive to exceed expectations at every turn. From the moment clients reach out to me, I work closely with them to design a menu that reflects their vision and exceeds their expectations. Every dish is crafted with precision and care, using the freshest, highest-quality ingredients available.
But it’s not just about the food—it’s about the entire dining experience. Attention is paid to every detail, from the ambiance and presentation to the service and hospitality. We go above and beyond to create an immersive and unforgettable experience.
In terms of what’s new, we are always on the lookout for innovative culinary techniques, exotic ingredients, and unique dining concepts to incorporate into our offerings. We have a few exciting new dinner series in the works as well as some new signature products. We will be releasing more information on the website and through social media as details are finalized.
I look forward to continuing to exceed expectations and create culinary magic for our clients.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Resilience is not just a trait—it’s a necessity. Building a successful venture comes with its share of challenges and setbacks, but it’s how you respond to those obstacles that defines your journey. Stay adaptable, learn from failures, and keep pushing forward with determination and tenacity. Remembering, every setback is an opportunity to grow stronger and wiser. By cultivating resilience, you’ll weather the storms and emerge stronger on the other side, ready to conquer whatever comes your way in the world of entrepreneurship.
Adaptability has been wildly important in both my business and my culinary approach. Every client is unique, with their own preferences and dietary restrictions. This requires me to be flexible and open-minded, constantly evolving my menus and cooking styles to meet their changing needs. The culinary industry itself is ever-changing, with trends and preferences shifting over time. By embracing change and remaining flexible, I’ve been able to not only meet but exceed the expectations of my clients, providing them with personalized culinary experiences that are tailored to their individual tastes and preferences. It’s this commitment to adaptability that has allowed me to thrive and build lasting relationships with my clients.
I think my best quality is my ability to connect with our clients on a very real level. Building lasting and genuine relationships has always been important to me and a foundational piece in The Carolina Chef. When you are working with a client to create an exceptional culinary experience it is so important to connect on what is important to them and what will bring them the best experience. You never know what small detail will make their evening something they will never forget and figuring that out and bringing it to life in the food and on the table is important. I learned early on that caring for each client and giving them your full attention creates a connection with them and it flows into their experience from start to finish. We want your experience to begin with the first email or phone call and build from there.
Embrace Resilience: Understand that setbacks and challenges are inevitable in every business. Whether it’s a dish that doesn’t turn out as planned or a tough night in the kitchen, resilience will be your greatest asset. Learn from your mistakes, bounce back quickly, and let every experience fuel your growth as a chef.
Cultivate Adaptability: The culinary landscape is constantly evolving, with new trends, ingredients, and techniques emerging all the time. Stay flexible and open-minded, embracing change as an opportunity for innovation. Be willing to experiment, learn new skills, and adapt your approach to meet the evolving tastes and preferences of your clientele.
Prioritize Client Connections: Building strong relationships with your clients is essential for success in any industry. Take the time to understand their preferences and expectations. Show genuine interest and care in their dining experience, and be receptive to feedback. By prioritizing client connections, you’ll not only earn their loyalty but also gain valuable insights that will help you refine and elevate your culinary experiences.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
We are always eager to connect with like-minded individuals and businesses who share a passion for exceptional food and drink experiences.
We love partnering with wineries and vineyards to create unforgettable dining experiences that complement their wines perfectly. Whether it’s hosting intimate wine dinners, curating tasting menus inspired by the terroir of the vineyards, or collaborating on special events, we are committed to showcasing the synergy between food and wine in a memorable experience.
We are olive oil enthusiasts and love to showcase the versatility and richness of high-quality olive oils in our culinary creations. From incorporating unique olive oil varieties into dishes to hosting olive oil tasting events and allowing people to experience olive oils from different regions, countries and the nuances in flavor from the many varieties of trees we love it all!
Our latest deep dive has been into the world of Wagyu. I have enjoyed working with and learning about all of the different ratings, cows, methods and flavors. We would love to collaborate with a farm for a dinner series showcasing their meat from nose to tail crafting a unique dining experience centered around Wagyu beef.
If you are reading this and are interested in collaborating we would love to hear from you. Please feel free to connect with through the website www.thecarolinachef.com or on social media @thecarolinachef we can discuss potential collaborations and ideas for creating unforgettable culinary experiences together. Let’s embark on a journey of culinary exploration and innovation that delights the senses and creates an exceptional culinary experience.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thecarolinachef.com
- Instagram: @thecarolinachef
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheCarolinaChef/
Image Credits
Photos by SuzFilm
