Hidden Gems: Meet Chef Lovee of MixingMama

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chef Lovee.

Hi Chef Lovee, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My very first job was at Boston Market when I was 15, and I’ve been in the foodservice industry since. While going to school, I’ve worked in many different restaurants bussing tables, serving, and cooking. When my dog was sick, I took him to the vet and they gave me two options; pay $350 a day to keep him there or put him down. I didn’t have that kind of money and I couldn’t imagine letting go of my furry baby. I wrote down the name of his illness and did extensive amounts of research on what was causing the problem which led to me learning more about canine nutrition. I started making homemade dog food and my furry baby made a full recovery. Neighbors and people near us who knew of the situation were amazed and wanted to try some of my dog food recipes for their furry babies. That was the start of my first business, YumAhzeeYum. I was still cooking professionally, running my small business on the side, and then my fiance and I started to expand our family. After having my first child, meal prepping for dogs led to meal prepping for adults, then date nights, events, and more. The more my business grew, the more I started to understand the struggle of being a busy working professional, raising a family, and trying to eat healthy. It was extremely hard, and I quickly learned how much time I was wasting constantly cooking and cleaning, or how much money I was wasting constantly eating out or throwing away groceries because they spoiled before I got a chance to cook them. That is what led me to where I am today. I strive to help professionals save time and eat healthy while offering a personalized experience.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It hasn’t been a smooth road at all. I grew up in a low-income neighborhood and was not very privileged growing up. From the time I started my business to now, I’ve never had any major investments or help from family. That did not stop my grind or hustle. I was unable to drive, with two small children, and relocated to a whole new state with my fiance, and instead of giving up on my business, I decided to let it push me further. I do not have a huge support system, but I believe in my vision. Sometimes I struggle with feeling like I’m doing everything by myself, but I am thankful to have a loving fiance and children who always make me smile at the end of the day.

As you know, we’re big fans of MixingMama. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
MixingMama is a personalized culinary experience for busy professionals with families who want to save time & eat healthy. We offer Gourmet Meal Plans, Intimate Private Dinners, Luxurious Dinner Parties, Vacation Chef Experiences & Event Catering servicing the Triangle area of North Carolina. We specialize in elegant and fine-dining experiences. What sets us apart from others is our presentation, attention to detail, and quality. Our goal is to serve each of our clients like royalty. I am most proud of my professionalism and customer service. I strive to give my clients nothing but the very best and present them with excellence to constantly remind them of how special they are. I would want the readers to know that everyone deserves to experience the luxury of having a Personal Chef prepare and cook meals that they specifically would enjoy; whether it’s for lunch and dinner throughout the week, an intimate romantic date night, a dinner party entertaining friends, or when you’re on vacation and you want to truly relax. Let us handle your culinary needs so you can focus on what really matters.

What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I am excited to truly explore Raleigh and learn more about the city. I have not lived here long, but I am in love with how much green is everywhere. I love the trees and I love how easy it is to explore nature. Being from the city, I am not accustomed to everything being so spaced out. The transportation system does make it difficult to travel if you don’t drive or don’t have a car.

Contact Info:

• Email: contact@mixingmama.com
• Website: www.MixingMama.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/mixing.mama
• Facebook: facebook.com/mixingmama