Meet Kwame Williams | Chef

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

Hi Kwame, what is the most important factor behind your success?
In one word Discipline. Discipline in many forms has easily been the most important factor in my personal success. to be more specific the willpower to stay true to myself and my desires. Rather than concern myself with what others are doing or letting their goals become mine. Defining what success is to me and striving for it each and every day. With the disrie be to constantly inpove on every level of what I do from communication to execution. Success comes when you not olny know what to do but have the discipline to do it. A great example is knowing that having a great work-life balance helps you perform at your best. Then having the control to turn down that last min enticing offer.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Kwame Williams is a private chef, catering to high-end clients in the tri-state area. Chef Kwame once held the role of Chef and Partner of Vital Dining (Vital), based in Montclair, NJ. Along with his two sisters,
Nataki and Kanika, Vital focused on offering a modern and nutritional take on Jamaican cuisine.
After graduating from the Institute of Culinary Education in 2006, he began his culinary career at The
Ryland Inn. This experience provided Chef Kwame with an exceptional foundation and set his standard
of excellence for years to come. He continued his career working at fine dining establishments, including

Rat’s, The Bernards’ Inn, and Pleasantdale Chateau.

Chef Kwame has also competed and won on the Food Network’s cooking competition, Cooks vs. Cons in
2016. In 2018, the James Beard House invited Kwame to cook a Caribbean themed dinner.
As a devoted father of three, he sees the impression that his food choices have on children. In his free
time, he supports youth-based initiatives, such as No Kid Hungry, Edible Schoolyard, and Montclair
Community Farms. Kwame also contributed to the James Beard Foundation’s cookbook, Waste Not,

bringing awareness to food waste and sustainability.

Because of his advocacy, the James Beard Foundation invited Kwame to their Chef’s Boot Camp. Chef
Kwame continues to encourage aspiring chefs to strengthen their culinary voice.

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?
For me, itinerary is simple wether it’s my home town or Im travaling with someone the goal is the same for food
1 a reservation at the most high-end place around
2 eat a the local favorite
3 eat at a place new to the scene
4 go to a 20-plus-year establishment
5 find somthing just exploring off the beaten path

On this trip we should visit 2 or more tourist sites city specific and go somehwere scenic to take pictures, photography is a fun hobby of mine.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Jeff Hendersons Book Cooked is the first thing that comes to mind. it was more than just rags to riches or street-to-table story for me. After reading the book I new no one could define my path to success, nor was I one anyone’s timeline but my own.

Website: chefkwill@gmail.com

Instagram: @chefkwill

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kwameowilliams/

Twitter: @chefkwill

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100041536483116

Image Credits
All food and photos were taken by me photo credit should be given to kwame williams