Closing Statement

Hello and greetings friends,

It is hard to believe that C.H.E.F.S. Catering Company has been in business for 20 years. Reflecting on it, that is literally one third of my life. I don’t see it as a chapter, necessarily, but more like one book in an ongoing trilogy. It is a pleasure and a privilege to do what I love to do. Not everyone gets to pursue or even realize their purpose or passion in life. I found mine with cooking, making wonderful connections, providing happiness through food and being a part of a community. For that, I am eternally grateful.

In 2014, when I became sole owner of C.H.E.F.S., I was driven to take it to the top. I wanted the company to become an entity that was bigger than just myself. C.H.E.F.S. would not only represent me, my philosophies and spirit, but it would become a driver of involvement in our community.

Through my company, I wanted to give a voice to the causes and community needs that I believed in. I didn’t know if it would happen, but I was determined. Taking ownership of the company was a rebirth on many levels, shall we say.

Owning and operating a small business isn’t easy. I know that so many others can attest and share similar stories of the struggle. Finding that sweet spot of balance between business and personal time is always the goal, but the reality is that the former often outweighs the latter considerably.

Catering - the food and restaurant industry in general - is a unique beast. More often than not, it involves 16–20-hour workdays, sleepless nights, communications coming in at all hours, and the toll that it takes on the physical body is very real.

C.H.E.F.S. remains after having endured so many ups and downs throughout the years. If nothing else, we look at the ways in which we were able to engage and serve the community during the COVID pandemic. It fills me with a sense of accomplishment and pride to know that our donated pop- up meals for first responders and healthcare workers, our partnerships with organizations like the Chamber of Commerce, Main Street Lexington and the regional tourism office, and our involvement with countless other community organizations helped. In that sense, I know, in part, that my company did in fact become something bigger than myself. Looking back at the accolades that both I and the company have received fills me with a sense of happiness and contentment. We are, after all, approaching our tenth year of being voted one of the best caterers in the Shenandoah Valley by Virginia Living Magazine readers. We must be doing something right.

Looking back, I see that the rewards far surpass the challenges. C.H.E.F.S. has afforded me the opportunity to meet so many people, to expand my culinary creations and knowledge, to build a home for my family, to give back to the community I live in, and to experience some truly unbelievable and memorable things. Embarking on two spiritual journeys to Nepal in recent years, complete with a trek to Mount Everest Base Camp with my brother, was only made possible through the success of C.H.E.F.S.; and most of you know that music is my second passion, so the numerous concerts attended have also made it all worthwhile.

None of this could have been done without the support of my family, my friends and the absolute best team that anyone could ever have working beside them. I am truly blessed to be surrounded by such hard-working individuals who want nothing more than to see C.H.E.F.S. succeed and to be the best we can possibly be in every situation.

All of that being said, and after much reflection, deep consideration and prayer (not to mention the ever-present glass of red wine), I have decided it is time to write the final pages of this particular book.

C.H.E.F.S. Catering Company will close at the end of 2025. I do not know at this time what stories the next book will include, but I do know my passion for cooking, music, connection and friendship will be woven throughout its pages.

I cannot thank you all enough for having been part of the journey so far. Your business, your friendship and your support have been an integral part of helping me achieve my goals for C.H.E.F.S. and for myself.

Be well, stay healthy, spread love and live each day to the fullest.