Meet Chase Elder: chef / rollerskater

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

Hi Chase, how do you think about risk?
Taking risks has always been a challenging action for me. a risk can be as small as pressing the purchase button for a trip overseas or deciding to hire a bookkeeper.. once you’ve made the choice..you’re doing it! Before I make a big decision, I usually feel a flush of anxiety because I know I am approaching change. It is obviously super easy to just stay within an equation that is safe and comfy, but that formula doesn’t really work for me. I have continued to take baby steps toward larger risks and am happy with my progress. Financial risk is a big one for me. I have a lot of fear around loan, investors, and large sums of money. I will cross that bridge when it appears!

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
My name is Chase Elder. I am a private chef, restaurant consultant, mover, and shaker.

My goal is always to provide an experience that is unique, personalized, and welcoming.

The connecting dots ..from farmer to baker to fisherwoman to me are what I believe make what I do so special. I love that I GET TO work with local people, share local products, and live in a community that is small enough that we do have authentic relationships/partnerships.

I started my chef career later in life (30), and spent only about 7 years working for various restaurants before deciding to go out on my own. I think the hardest thing to do is to cut the umbilical cord and go for it. You will never have a guarantee that it will work, but you will also never know unless you try. I would urge anyone with a gut feeling that it is time to make that change to just do it!

We hear this all the time but it really is the gospel for me..do not be fearful of the mistakes you will make. They are inevitable and will 100% make you stronger and more knowledgeable. That does not mean they will not sting when they happen, but if you continue to take risks and are willing to grow..the sting has less bite each time.

If you ask anyone who has worked with me what they might say about me it would be that I always bring a positive attitude to work mixed with a lightness that welcomes fun and laughter, but our goal is to get the job done and give our best. I am not reinventing the wheel, but I do offer something that is very special and I want the folks who work with me to feel apart of that mission.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I am going to start this trip in LA even though I live in Ojai and would probably ask them to fly into Santa Barbara (hahahah!)

Arrive to LAX, head to the east side (cuz that’s the part of the city I know) and EAT! so many exciting things that have popped up during covid and I love to support small businesses who are trying to stay afloat during this time.
@YESSAQUATIC @BIRDIEGSLA @EATATJEWEL @WOONKITCHEN @BRIDGETOWNROTI @KONBI @PINEANDCRANE

I DON’T DRINK BUT I DO LOVE SOFT SERVE @MAGPIESSOFTSERVE
and I love all the farmers markets in LA, so maybe Hollywood on Sunday and Santa Monica on Wednesday.

I also used to love going to the Olympic Korean Spa which I really hope will open again soon.

For a hike, I’d keep it simple.. Griffith Park and a stop at The Trails for a coffee and cookie.

Since I live in Ojai, I would have to show them around our little town which has a ton of things to do.
roller skating! we have a local club @theojaiskateclub that hosts weekly meet ups to jam, spend time outdoors, and enjoy the mountain views.

I would be a very good host and feed my guest lots of yummy local produce from my home and make sure they got to try all the goodness ojai has to offer including a new farmers market that is run by locals starting this summer @ojaicommunityfm

We would have some time at the beach (my fave spot is Bates Beach in Carp) and then I’d take them to Rudy’s for the best crispy taco you ever had.

For some luxury, a pedicure at the Ojai Valley Inn ($100) which is steep but worth it! and a massage by one of the many talented folks we have here in ojai. oh..and a facial at earthtonics.

Are you ready to come visit yet?

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

here’s the deal: when I decided to transition from NYC party promoter / bartender to extraordinaire to a sous chef someone would have had to be crazy to take on such a character.. but someone did! without her I would 100% not be where I am today. sometimes, the person who shows up at the interview may not have the resume you are accustomed to seeing, but if they have passion and a spark in their eyes, give them a chance! You never know how that decision might change their lives forever.
Thank you Chef Julia Jaksic
@Juliajaksic

Website: www.chaseelder.org

Instagram: @chasejelder

Image Credits
Brandon Harmon Marc Alt