Today we’d like to introduce you to Chandra Muhammad.
Chandra, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I am Chan, the Neighborhood Cook. I am not a chef but a certified cook. For thirty years. I am a born and raised Texas girl with Louisiana creole roots. My passion is making others smile and hum and ha with creative, delicious, mouthwatering dishes that will keep you coming back for more. Divine Creations Cuisine, our catering company, prepares quality, nutritious, affordable home-cooked meals. We prepare foods with fresh, quality ingredients and offer exceptional customer service. At Divine Creations Cuisine, the customer is more than special. When you book a job with us, you become a family. Everyone wants to be treated like family. This love for cooking and passion for serving others through food was developed at the young age of eight. It began when I used to stand on a stool and cook eggs and other breakfast items for my uncles in St Martinville, Louisiana. That passion continued throughout my high-school and college career.
I was known as the College Cook at the University of North Texas. There, I developed my first signature meal, Creamy Creole Salmon Fettucine. After joining the Nation of Islam, I became an even better cook. I learn the science of foods and how to eat and prepare them to sustain life and promote health. I absolutely love to cook and coach others on how to make healthy, quality, nutritious, home-cooked meals for their families. Divine Creations Cuisine is a catering company that offers delicious, creative meals with a creole twist. It began over 15 years ago with a few clients who only wanted to come home to a home-cooked meal rather than cooking themselves or having to eat out. This business has evolved into a catering company (LLC) that focuses on the catering community, organizations, individuals, corporations and special events, as well as coaching others on the art of cooking. We are known for our quality food, healthy portions, impeccable service and unmatched professionalism.
At Divine Creations Cuisine, we aim to please by preparing great food that entices you to come back for seconds. Through my many years of catering experiences, I developed a desire to coach communities on how to cook simple, affordable, tasty meals at home rather than to eat out. This year, during the Pandemic, the Sharing is Caring videos series was born. It is a 15-minute social media cooking show on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Sharing is Caring is drops every Saturday morning. It began with a post of me making guacamole in the car while riding to Lake Tahoe with our friends, Jehan and Dennis, over two years ago. Little did I know that his short video would be the beginning of the re-birth of my Divine Creations Cuisine Brand and the introduction of Chan the Neighborhood Cook. This show allows me to connect with my followers while demonstrating my most popular meals, inspiring them to try it at home. While cooking, I talk about relevant and timely events, also educating my viewers.
This has been my most joyous and rewarding accomplishment to date. My passion for helping others build strong relationships and expose the talents of our youth and others sparked a new video series called “Kitchen and Conversations.” This series is also a 15 show on Instagram and Facebook dropped on Tuesday and Thursday. My love for helping others and my culinary style, quality and brave approach to healthy and unique dishes mean I dare to be different and strive for perfection, not only for me but for our communities.
Great, 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?
The pandemic has slowed us down a little, but we are picking up again. My desire to promote small in-home catering and cooking classes have been met lately. I will continue to promote in-home special and themed events. We would like to purchase a food truck soon. The challenge is a good one-what food to prepare on this truck is my dilemma. I prepare so many delicious and unique meals. I am not sure what will be the theme of the truck. This indecision leads to my procrastination.
Please tell us about Divine Creations Cuisine.
Divine Creations is a small catering company in Houston, Texas that services 25 – 200 guests. We specialize in catering foods with a creole twist. We are known for quality, nutritious foods made with mostly all-natural, fresh, local, preservative-free foods, themed parties, healthy portions and affordable prices.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Cooking breakfast on a stool in the kitchen for my 6’0 uncles. Cooking spaghetti with my mom late at night. Watching my uncles and aunts cook and bake in my grandmother’s kitchen in Louisiana. Cooking for 20 of college friends in our dorm on one burner.
