Meet ReShawn Wilder | Chef & CEO

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

Hi ReShawn, what do you attribute your success to?
The most important factor behind my success is my faith and my story. The idea of inspiring others and encouraging others is a key factor as well.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Food is my art! I consider myself an artist, a food artist actually. I love the fact that I can sit and literally create recipes and execute them and turn them into works of art. One of the pieces of art that I’m known for are my cheesecakes. I’ve built a successful brand and company on cheesecakes. What I love about my cheesecakes, is that each flavor has a story. Most if not all of my cheesecakes, were inspired a dessert from my childhood or someone else’s childhood. Each flavor is nostalgic and will take you to a place in your life, that makes you feel warm inside and makes your heart full…even if it’s for a moment.

When I first started making cheesecakes, it was actually for my audition for FOX’s Master Chef. My cheesecake was a big hit, in which it landed me a spot in the Top 80 on the show out of the 20,000 people that auditioned. After LA where the show was filmed, I went home after being eliminated. I figured if a cheesecake had already done so much in a short amount of time, what other opportunities could present themselves. I started experimenting with new flavors and that led to my line of gourmet artisan cheesecakes.

I wouldn’t say that this was easy, but I believe that I had grace to do it. I strongly believe that when you walk in what you’re called to do, there will be a special grace for you to get the job done. Although it wasn’t and has not been the easiest thing, I know that I had and have joy while doing it.

My sole purpose is to encourage people. I want young (and older) people to know that if you have a dream or a goal, to go after it. I want the little black boy and the little black girl that may feel forgotten to know, that they have a purpose and that they are loved!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
When my best friends visit, we have an absolute blast!! Our schedule would consist of many different things.

First off, I’d probably cook for them since I’m a chef, plus we’d check out local spots in and around L.A. We’d hit a few trails for some active hiking, drive along the coast, check out museums because there are so many in L.A.. Oh, we always check out my favorite acai spot here. I would love to do the studio tours…I have het to do those. I’m a huge movie buff, so we’d dedicate an entire day to watching nostalgic movies on DVD…yes I said DVD! What I love about L.A. is that almost every neighborhood has hotspots, so we’d definitely travel all over.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My success is built on the prayers, encouragement and time of others. Most importantly I honor God for giving and allowing me to use talent/gift. I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for my mom! One of the strongest women I know. I started cooking because of her, and my grandmother. I spent almost everyday with my mentors Pk and Ms. Miriam; and If it weren’t for those two helping develop me into the man I am today, I seriously don’t know where I’d be.

Website: eyesofafoodie.com

Instagram: eyes_of_a_foodie

Linkedin: reshawnwilder

Facebook: reshawn.wilder