I am Chef Keeba. Many cultures have been partaking in family style meals for generations and just like the popular movie Soul Food, I myself can remember Sunday dinners at my Aunt Lois & Uncle Floyds’ home in Chicago. There, you would get to see family and friends pop in, and we would listen to family history stories, find out what's going on with family members, who needed help and just being happy to see and talk to each other. In their absence these last few years, I realized that modern families became disconnected and are not communicating in meaningful and healthy ways and our community is lacking health and wellness spaces that focus on harmonious relationships. Well, let me tell you a little bit about myself and how culinary arts has been my personal therapy and took me on this holistic self-awareness journey. Throughout my life which was riddled with uncertainties, personal setbacks and countless life obstacles, cooking has always given me a therapeutic vice to overcoming the odds. Being a domestic violence survivor and homeless are example of life events of where the times that I found myself cooking would soothe the hurt of being physically, emotionally abused and low-self esteem. Creating amazing dishes and attending my counseling sessions re-invigorated my soul, gave me a sense of empowerment, and a boost to my self worth and confidence. Culinary arts was my escape, and many times, fulfillment by creating amazing dishes and seeing the joy my meals gave others. I soon realized that this was my gift to the universe.

These events, although seemingly despairing, have helped me to cultivate my version of Culinary Therapy. Over 10  years ago, while living in Houston Texas. I would invite all my closest female friends to my home once a week and we would tackle family, business and social issues we were facing at the time while I prepared amazing meals I invited some of them to assist me in creating the meal for us to sit down to eat. This family-style dinner experience opened thought-provoking dialogue, support, information, encouragement and love to each other. LADIES NIGHT WAS A HIT!! It became a weekly “Culinary Therapy” session where my friends would even bring others to witness and participate in this amazing circle of unity and support. This is where the spirit of my Culinary  Therapy experiences began.

The training that I received at Le Cordon Bleu in Atlanta, Georgia gave me the skills that propelled me to work in the restaurant & entertainment industries were I soon became executive chef at several establishments. The networking connections I gained solidified me as a private celebrity chef in Chicago, Atlanta and Houston. I also provide culinary services and consultation as a Certified ServSafe® Instructor and Registered ServSafe Proctor. My accomplishments include my roles as a Certified Holistic Nutritionist & Certified Holistic Health Coach. My commitment to the community allowed me to create the first culinary social service program that was utilized by an Integrated Care Center in Chicago, Illinois; a residential shelter for adolescents in emergency temporary state guardianship