We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jenny Chicoye a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Jenny, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
I can truly say overcoming imposter syndrome is a something I work at everyday. It’s easy to feel like you don’t belong in certain spaces but I constantly remind myself that I am allowed to take up space just like everyone else (as we all should). I worked extremely hard to hone my craft and get to the point where I can say I know what I’m doing; although, it didn’t happen overnight. But with consistency and a positive mindset I have been incredibly fortunate to do what I love. Because of that I don’t allow myself to validate any form of imposter syndrome since I put so much blood, sweat and tears to fulfill my dreams.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
Known most for my glorious head-wraps, I am Haitian-American and Brooklyn born! I am a self-taught, vegan and plant-based chef and baker who’s been featured in Miami Vibes Magazine, Edible Orlando Magazine, Ardent Nova and the runner-up for The Greatest Baker Competition, as well as being featured on the cover of The Local Winter Garden Magazine. I was also honored to curate seasonal menu items for various vegan cafes and restaurants and my own brick and mortar location in 2022. I am the mastermind behind Buku Vegan which was created in 2018 to satisfy your sweet tooth craving without worrying about dairy, eggs or other hidden animal products. Love is always the first ingredient with quality being a close second.
My specialties include my Buku Jars which are delectable cakes in a resealable jar. There is, however, one flavor in particular that people hunt me down for and that’s my famous carrot cake. To honor my roots I have also veganized popular traditional Haitian dishes such as Djon Djon (a black mushroom rice) and Griot (fried “pork chunks” made from jackfruit). Cooking is my passion and I am always honored to share my love one plate at a time!
You can find me at local vegan markets around Orlando and beyond. I always post my schedule on my social media platforms so you can find where I’ll be at next. You can also place a special order for food and treats by sending me an email or messaging me on social media.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The first quality is definitely patience. It can be frustrating when things don’t go as planned or the way you wanted/hoped for. So with that the next quality would be understanding because everything happens for a reason. You can choose to learn from it and grow or allow it hold you back, mentally or emotionally. I think we tend to forget that during setbacks is when we learn the most crucial components so we know not to repeat it and do better the next time. The last quality would be passion. I’ve noticed that people can absolutely tell when your heart is in something and when it is it makes it that much more special. Having that sense of drive and purpose makes whatever it is you offer have more value. When you light up just by talking about what you do it gives people comfort and makes it ok for them to do the same and pursue what they thought was impossible. For those that are early in their journey I would suggest to not be afraid to ask questions and have an open mind. You never know what information someone can give you that can change your life even in the simplest of ways.
Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
When I feel overwhelmed I try to take a step back, meditate or just sit still. If my mind is chaotic it will be very difficult for me to try to make sense of anything. One of my favorite things to do is make a list. For me, seeing it down on paper and being able to order it from highest to lowest priority allows me to make sense of all the things I need to accomplish. I then put on some upbeat music and tackle whatever it is I need to tackle.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/bukuvegan
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/bukuvegan
- Other: www.instagram.com/chef.chicoye
Image Credits
Benny Renee Photography Eemyaj Visuals Tonjanika Smith Photography Kelly Ann Photography
