Pedestal Professionals is a weekly spotlight series on our blog that highlights Black women entrepreneurs who are forging new paths in their respective fields.
Meet this week’s Pedestal Professional, Rachel Whitfield, CEO of Chef Curl Ardee! Rachel is a fabulous food blogger who is also the mastermind of a phenomenal spice blend. Trust me, I know firsthand! The Chef Curl Ardee brand has seen exponential growth in only a few years since its inception and was recently highlighted by Fox16 News of Little Rock, Arkansas as a vendor for the upcoming Mid South Black Expo. Rachel is sure to be a significant fixture in the food industry, and Chef Curl Ardee seasonings are sure to be a staple brand gracing pantries across the nation. We caught up with Rachel to learn more about her Chef Curl Ardee journey!
Tell us about Chef Curl Ardee.
Chef Curl Ardee is a food blog dedicated to making you hungry. The brand also has low sodium spice blends because food can taste great without the extra salt.
How did you get started?
Chef Curl Ardee started by wanting to share and blog about places that I’ve traveled and the great food I had while on the trip. The blog has since evolved and has spice blends that bring out the flavor in your food.
Tell us about your educational journey.
I love numbers… I speak the language and well. I received a degree in Economics with a special focus in Applied Mathematics. As far as the food is concerned, I’m a self-taught chef, frequent traveler, and have a knack for discovering creative ways to flavor food in the healthiest way possible.
What’s the most rewarding part of entrepreneurship?
The most rewarding part of entrepreneurship is seeing dreams turn into reality. Concepts are cool, and so is putting pen to paper. However, I believe what sets entrepreneurs apart is their ability to bring to life what was once a concept. I couldn’t find what I wanted in a spice blend so I made my own. The blessing is that other people enjoy the realized concept as well.
In your opinion, what is unique about being a professional Black Woman?
One of the unique aspects of being a professional black woman is the balance. Black women professionals have mastered the art of balance like no other culture and/or demographic.
What’s your business mantra?
Chef Curl Ardee’s business mantra is “Be and give good energy.” It is the giving and sharing of food that literally and figuratively energizes us– why not make it taste great?
What’s one piece of advice you would give to aspiring Black women entrepreneurs? One piece of advice I can give is to trust yourself. As cliché as that may sound and seem, it is better to follow your intuition over the recipe.
How can people learn more about your products and services?
You can learn more about the spice blends and services by visiting http://www.chefcurlardee.com and connecting on Facebook, Instagram, and/or Pinterest with @ChefCurlArdee. Be sure to follow for a special announcement this week!
Is there anything else you would like The Pedestal Project readers to know?
Chef Curl Ardee’s spice blends were developed out of a need to get really good flavor and work around a food allergy. Because of this, customers from Alaska to Japan have welcomed this seasoning into their home and enhanced some wonderful meals. The blends are great on everything! While our own foods and stocked fridges are great, there is still a lot of work that needs to be done on ending hunger in this country and abroad. A portion of every purchase goes towards No Kid Hungry, a non-profit organization, dedicated to ending childhood hunger. Bon Appetit!
The Pedestal Project 