From the Boardroom to the Kitchen: The Story of Shef Shaun

My culinary journey began at age six in Cleveland, OH, at the feet of my grandmothers. They didn't just teach me recipes; they taught me the "Life of the Kitchen"—lessons in soul, discipline, and flavor that I still carry today.

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At 18, I took those lessons to the heart of New York City. For over a decade, I operated at the highest levels of the fashion and marketing world, serving as the Marketing Director for Russell and Kimora Lee Simmons’ Phat Fashions. This era refined my eye for detail, my commitment to excellence, and my understanding of how to create a world-class brand experience.

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In 2022, I pivoted from the boardroom back to my first love: the kitchen. After self-publishing my cookbook, Soul in the Citi, I launched Shef Shaun’s Kitchen in Charlotte to bridge the gap between NYC grit and Southern grace.

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Today, I am proud to be a Favorite Chef Finalist (Top 5) and a trusted educator for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library Foundation. My commitment to the industry is reflected in my roles as a Certified ServSafe® Instructor and the Co-Director of Culinary Arts at Calvary Christian Church of the Apostolic Faith. When I’m not hosting bespoke private dinners, I am leading high-performance back-of-house teams for QC Catering, one of Charlotte's premier event firms.

 

Whether I am mentoring a team of twenty or cooking for a private table of two, my mission remains the same: Food, Fun, and Fellowship.

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