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

Hi Christine, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
After much reflection, I can honestly say that the reason my private chef business is successful is because of my perseverance. Anyone can learn to cook but it’s a completely different story turning that skill into a profession. I didn’t become a personal chef overnight; it took years of struggling to find clients and building a brand. However, no matter how many times I wanted to give up, I stuck with it. At the end of the day, I realized that this was where I wanted to be. I wouldn’t trade being a private chef and food blogger for anything else. I continued to market my business and soon, I was receiving inquiries almost every day asking about my services. It was all worth it!

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
When I first decided to become a private chef, I was excited to sign on clients and deliver quality homemade meals no one else could. Little did I know how difficult it would be to find clients! When I finally did land my first client, I thought that it would soon lead to another and another. Instead, I was constantly marketing myself, trying to attract more customers. The few customers I did have were all on specialty diets so I had to learn how to prepare Paleo, Keto, sugar-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan meals. Luckily I soon became an expert and was able to sell myself as a private chef who could prepare any time of meal that would fit your needs. My ability to be able to adapt to anyone’s needs while still delivering great taste meals is what eventually led my business to grow. My goal is to make delicious meals no matter what your needs and wants are; everyone needs to eat so why not make it enjoyable?

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Los Angeles has so many great restaurants and scenes but I do have several favorites places to go. For food, I would definitely get authentic Asian food in San Gabriel Valley, stopping by Savoy Kitchen for Hainan chicken and Dai Ho for Taiwanese noodles. For a fancier night, Bistro Na’s delivers on excellent Chinese food. Since I love shopping, a visit to the Grove is a must for both the scenery and dining at the Farmers Market. And of course, you can’t leave Los Angeles without seeing the beaches, my favorite being Malibu. Take a dip in the ocean or go for a hike in the Malibu State Creek Park and drive on over to Santa Monica for excellent donuts at Sidecar and fresh seafood at Santa Monica Seafood. I’m not much of a nightlife person so instead of drinks, I turn to my favorite boba shop, Chi Cha San Chen. Sounds like the perfect week to me!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Without a doubt, my husband deserves credit for holding my hand while I was building Private Kitchen LA. He has been and still is my constant supporter, cheering me on from the sidelines. When my schedule was overwhelming, he would lend a hand in the kitchen, run errands for me, and even give me foot rubs at the end of the day. I don’t know where I would be without his help!

Website: https://www.privatekitchenla.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cherryonmysundae/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chefchristinema/
Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/private-kitchen-alhambra?osq=private+kitchen+la
Other: food blog: https://www.cherryonmysundae.com

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.