Meet Desiree Jenkins | Chef/Entrepreneur

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

Hi Desiree, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I was born and raised in Southern California and worked in the restaurant industry for 20 years. I had the pleasure of traveling around the world and spent 6 years living on Maui, HI. These travels sparked my interest in the culinary avenue, as I was introduced to new flavors and styles of ethnic foods. I gained more experience when I worked on a National Geographic’s cruise line when I was promoted from steward to Pantry Chef. At that time I knew it was something I wanted to pursue professionally. Though I got my degree in Education, I am proud that I took the path that I was most passionate about…food.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Food is Art if you allow it to be. I enjoy the challenge of working with different vegetables, herbs and fruit from local farms. It may be difficult some weeks to come up with new ideas for the menu, but it always works out and I end up being surprised that I can blend ingredients together that do not usually mesh. This is the part of my business that I enjoy most, using my creativity in foods that were raised and loved by our local farmers. It is an extension of good energy in my dishes.

Lessons I have learned is to take care of myself first. I cannot create a good product if I am stressed or tired. I need to make sure I have days of self-care in order to enter the kitchen and pour my love into the food. It is a balance between giving love to myself and love to the community. This helps me continue to love what I do.

I want the world to appreciate food more deeply. I want us to hold the ingredients we cook with and think about where it came from and the hard work that went into getting it to your kitchen.

Support local farmers. These are the people who spend their lives believing in quality ingredients. Buying from our farmers helps with local economy, lessens waste, nourishes your body, and protects our environment.

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?
Duluth Grill for breakfast, head to the lake walk and take a stroll, grab a coffee from Duluth Coffee Company or a Fresh Cold-Pressed Juice from Juice Pharm. Spend the day at Amity Park jump in the water and soak up the sun. Drive to Brighton Beach and have a picnic. If its a Wednesday night, go to concerts on the pier at Glensheen Mansion. Check out the Back Alley Surf Shop in Lincoln Park, grab Ice Cream from Love Creamery and enjoy a Beer at Bent Paddle Brew Company.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My mother. No matter what I wanted to do, she said “do it”. Her expectations of me were molded around what I told her I wanted to do. She believed I could be a Chef and own my own business and restaurant before I even knew I could. She encouraged me to be free, travel the world, and find my passion and make a life around that. She wiped away all of my self doubt and built me up as warrior who can take on any challenge. She is my number one fan and I owe it all to her.

Website: mamarootsbus.com

Instagram: mamarootsbus

Facebook: Mama Roots

Image Credits
My mother (Donna Jenkins) harvesting lettuce at Anahata Farm Me (Desiree Jenkins) Build out of Food Bus More Photos sent to Mike