I became acquainted with Chef Wood Porter back in May of this year. At the time I was running my own company, Hub Chicago, and it was shortly following the tragic death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police custody. I put an overture on all social media for any local Black-owned business to reach out to me and I would offer them free advertising on our website and social media in an effort to do my part in supporting Black-owned businesses.
I simply wanted to use my platform to amplify those establishments.
One of those individuals to reach out was Wood Porter and his business: #Woodiscookin Private Chef Co. Through a series of email correspondence, I got to know Wood a bit more and I immediately was inspired through our conversation because in a lot of ways our mentality and outlook towards our passions and work derive from a similar place.
AdvertisementView this post on InstagramPan Seared Scallops x Saffron Shrimp Risotto #woodiscookin #thursdaynighteats #chicagopersonalchef #chicagoprivatechef
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Here’s a short snippet from Chef Wood himself:
“I attended culinary school in Bronx, NY, with a few internships at some NYC restaurants. Moved back to Chicago, struggled & tried to find a name or path for myself in this competitive industry. I started posting meals and things I cooked on social media such as IG, and the more I posted, the more people started to comment and compliment me on the dishes, and really started to build a small following. Slowly but surely, people wanted to hire me to cook at their homes for dinner parties, brunches, meal preps, etc. I periodically look back at some of the posts, and menus I’ve sent to prospective clients, and I’ve really come a long way. I never really enjoyed working at a restaurant as a line cook because the pay and hours were crappy, and I was following someone else’s recipes. Even though that kind of work taught me a lot of things in regards to the craft, it didn’t offer me the creativity and thinking outside of the box scenarios I desired. So I said to myself, I want to make work as a Private Chef a career, so I started an LLC, and really put my all into it.”
His passion for southern fusion cuisine stems from his roots. His mom hails from Mississippi and he himself attended undergraduate in Alabama. Southern cooking was always a staple for him growing up and built a foundation for how he started. The fusion comes from the creative itch that’s always lived inside Wood, as over time he’d begin incorporating other cuisines or put creative twists on his favorite dishes to stand out.
Some of his crowd-pleasers include: Mango Jerk Glazed Bacon, Pan Seared Salmon, Poblano Cilantro Rice, Sea Salt Charred Veggies, w/ Peach Sriracha Glaze, Buttermilk Fried Chicken, Jalapeño Honey Waffle w/ a Hot Sauce Maple Butter Syrup, and Cajun NY Strip, Crispy Herb Smashed Potatoes, Spicy Glazed Flash Fried Brussels, Whiskey Butter Sauce.
He signs off with, “I just love cooking great food and having dope energy around me. It really is soulful!”
AdvertisementView this post on Instagram#tacotuesday on this gloomy day…Blackened Salmon, Mango Salsa, Chipotle Crema, Napa Cabbage. #woodiscookin #goodeats #chicagopersonalchef #chicagoprivatechef
Now, I’ve of course touched base with Chef Wood prior to putting this together and he had some pretty exciting news to share with me. Naturally, he opens up citing the difficulties he faced because of the pandemic. But, as mentioned, its Chef Wood’s passion and creativity that helped him forward. Because through it, he began thinking of ways to build his business by adapting with the times and championing the things he does well. He tells me:
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I wanted to repurpose this article here at UrbanMatter Chicago because the fight for equality and social justice has not lessened in its intensity or importance. Nor has the importance of supporting our local businesses in the height of COVID-19, and as the hospitality industry gears for a tumultuous winter. Chef Wood is not the only business who needs your support, but he is certainly one worthy of it. 5 minutes of conversation will have you sold on that, undeniably.
View this post on InstagramMight drop a recipe to this soon….Buttermilk Fried Chicken x Hot Sauce Honey Butter #woodiscookin #cookwoodp #chicagoprivatechef #chicagopersonalchef #goodeats #buttermilkfriedchicken #tacotuesday
Support Chef Wood and #WoodisCookin Private Chef Co. by going to his Instagram page. Check out his amazing recipes and dishes, and reach out at [email protected] to get more information on how to have Chef Wood prepare your next party or private event!
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Featured Image Credit: Cook Wood P Facebook
The post Meet Chef Wood Porter, of #Woodiscookin Private Chef Co. appeared first on UrbanMatter.
