Meet Chef Monét A Walker | Chef & Baker, Boss, BAE, CEO

We had the good fortune of connecting with Chef Monét A Walker and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chef Monét, have you ever found yourself in a spot where you had to decide whether to give up or keep going? How did you make the choice?
Some are born with the gift of having things easy (life, career, children, love) and there are others who must go the extra mile to make things work. I have been on both sides of the grass. I understand what it is like to have dreams so big, the moon and stars would be jealous, and to feel like I want to have it all. Then, to feel when things are not going so well, to simply give up. What I have learned more than anything though, is failure is not an option and neither is giving up. I have come to far and although my path is a little longer, I am still going in the right direction. Plus, they say life is not a race, it is a marathon right?

I am making a difference in the world everyday. People I don’t know are inspired and admire my gifts. I want to be the difference so I have learned it is easier for me to keep going (there are too many eyes watching).

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
What sets me apart from other businesses is that I am pretty much a one woman operation. I am the sole person taking the orders, responding to emails, DMs, text messages, and phone calls, making the orders, shopping for the orders, delivering the orders, cleaning up the shop, and taking inventory. An average day for me consists of 12-18 hours depending on the demand (and I might add that I have not been able to open to the public due to the COVID-19 Pandemic).

I pride myself on producing quality works of art for my clients. I do not take on products I am unable to execute and I throughly invest my time, making sure to get every detail right. I am proud to say that I have been in the kitchen my entire life, surrounded by a long line of amazing cooks. I have also worked under numerous Michelin star Chefs who taught me the ropes in the kitchen. I am an Alumna of Le Cordon Bleu CSCA and University of Phoenix. My passion for food extends beyond the kitchen. In addition to being a chef, I am looking to start a non-profit and provide baking therapy to children battling childhood cancers. This is a cause very dear to my heart because I lost my cousin Brianna to a rare form of rectum cancer when she was only 6 years old. I intend to help children and their families cope with pain through my love for food.

Running a business has been like Jurassic Park lol. No one shares the road to success, instead everyone brags about it once they have reached it. I wish that more people talked about the road to success and how their path led them to where they are now. I try to share my story and offer insight when I can to others because it takes a team to make a dream happen.

My biggest challenge has been trying to find a balance between work and personal life. More of my time is dedicated to my business and I often lack social relationships because I do not have much time for myself. I am still working on making time for myself, while also growing my business, and setting a positive example for those to come.

What I want the world to know about my brand is that I am NOT done. I plan to expand in more ways than one. My creative hat is always on, my to-do list continues to grow, I challenge myself to meet my goals, and to give back where and when possible. Dreams do not work unless you do! It is never to late to re-write a chapter despite what society says.

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.
Magnolia Bakery Los Angeles is my FAVVVOOORRRIITTTEEE LA Bakery I do not like to share LOL. The 626 Night Market in the summer is a foodie’s dream. My family is from New Orleans and I love to feel like I am home so Beignet Box (Sherman Oaks) and The Little Easy (Downtown LA) are Southern favorites.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
To my Mom Juanita for always supporting me and pushing me to be the very best version of myself possible, thank you for always believing in me and helping me reach my goals. I Love You and can never repay you.

Website: www.cakesandcurls.com

Instagram: @cakesandcurls

Linkedin: chefmonetwalker

Image Credits
Juanita Walker