Meet Thomas Desantis | Chef & Business Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Thomas Desantis and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Thomas, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Its simple… With no risk there is no reward. I know this sounds broad, as it is! I don’t mean take every risk you see, rather take risk that you see fit. Everyone has a different definition of risk and what is high risk vs low risk. I believe my base line for risk might be slightly higher then most, and contrary to my first line in have not necessarily received more reward.

I am however ok with the ratio as some of my biggest risk have paid off the most. Things like moving cross country without a job or a place to live. quitting my job, taking every dollar I did and didn’t have to start this business. and marrying my wife. All of these “risks” have lead to beautiful things. and these are just some of the most recent.

This risk and unknown of leaving a job where you collect a pay check every Friday and you work for someone with a set schedule is extremely high. But entrepenurship is in some peoples blood and I believe I am one of them. So I took the jump left the safety of working for someone and started what is now a thriving small business that I get to call my own.

If I hadn’t taken that risk amongst many other I would still be working a job that was safe and secure but was not rewarding and challenging

For me risk works, I have a methodical way of evaluating it and am ok with taking L’s… you have to be! In entrepreneurship there are ups and downs with all of it, it’s just part of it.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Our business is simple. We are in the business of bringing people together the best way possible… With food! We are a true oven to table experience. We bring one of our wood-fired ovens to you wherever you are and we cook a variety of food live on site and serve it directly from your oven to your guests. We do all private events, mostly weddings, corporate events and studio work.

What’s sets us apart is our undying passion for food mixed with our belief of under promising and over delivering… every time. We have to remind ourselves that even though sometimes we do 6 weddings in a week and while they might seem all the same to us it is our job to make sure each wedding is special and individual. We do that by making sure it is a memorable experience for not only the client but all the guests that get to enjoy our food.

I started this business simply because I wanted to people to have the same feeling as me and my cousins did growing up when we would sit at our grandmas table for a holiday or birthday. The feeling that family food and love bring you. So I am on a mission to bring that to guests all over the southwest.

The road here was not easy there was Definitley a lot of trial and tribulations. But because we love what we do worked through the growing pains and we still continue to work through the issue daily because that is part of the food business. But if you love it you won’t let that stop you!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
It would most def be a week revolving around food with some attractions in between

Starting with food we would hit spots like, Mother Wolfe, Elephante, Republique, Encanto, Moos BBQ. We would have to stop at some of the best LA pizza like Angel City Pizza, Secret Pizza, QuarterSheets, and Detroit Pizza Depot.

Some attractions would have to be Santa Monica Pier, Mullholland Drive, The Griffith, Venice Beach, Studio Tours, Moma, and Rodeo Drive

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are so many people along the way that have shaped and crafted me to get to this place im currently at in my life. too many to list but they have all played an intricate part in making me who I am today.

If I had to chose someone that deserves a little extra credit, a little pat on the back if you will…

That’s my team, without my team Fire & Wood Catering aka me would not be a possibilitty I say aka me because I am Fire and Wood this business is a living breathing organism and you have to live it to get it to work. So yes that means I would not be possible without my team.

Who’s the team you ask?

Cami and Serj who have been with me since before day 1 and are in control of every food items that comes through our kitchen. Putting there heart and sole into our food every day of the week ensuring we have the highest quality possible

My Sister Alexa who holds shit down! she drives the trucks, runs events, and all things that require detail that we all don’t have time to do she is there ready to roll.

My wife Angela who does all of our social media, photography and everything atheistic. But most importantly her unwavering support of me working 100+ hours per week

In short all these people play key parts in my life helping me make sure We are thriving has a family and as a business. Because we are all family!

Website: https://www.fireandwoodcatering.com

Instagram: @fireandwoodcatering

Facebook: @fireandwoodcatering

Image Credits
Devin Berko