Meet Zaria Stott: Chef of Food by Zaria: Giving Others Delight

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

Hi Zaria, do you have a favorite quote or affirmation?
1 Corinthians 10:31 “Whether you eat, drink, or what ever you do, do it all for the glory of God. ”

I’ve clung to this scripture in regards to my business. It doesn’t so much mean only literally eat or drink for the Glory of God, but do everything for His glory. So anybody can run with this. It’s a huge reminder of why I’m working my business in the first place, and it makes food and serving others more enjoyable for me.

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.
It’s been a ride to say the least. I took the risk of leaving a stable job I had been at for 6 years working with senior citizens to pursue my passion in the culinary field, the idea was to get a job in a kitchen to gain more cooking experience, while also working my business. But the pandemic hit. This past year has definitely shaped my character; I had been in and out of a few odd jobs, whilst only getting orders from my own business 1-3 times a month.

Psalms 27:14 “Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart be courageous. Wait for the Lord.”

I can’t tell you just how much waiting. Plenty of interviews, some “no’s” some no replies. When I finally landed a Bakers job in Vienna and a Line Cook position in Falls Church along side a pretty amazing and established Executive Chef, I felt pretty lucky…well, Blessed really. These few paragraphs may make it seem like it wasn’t all that long of a wait, but…it was.

My advice to anyone in the waiting- God has something for you, something great. Continue to wait well, give thanks and help others in the mean time.

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?
Where do I start? Food/restaurants is always on the itinerary when friends and family visit, whether I’m doing the cooking or we’re going out. True Food Kitchen is one of my favorite spots. They have awesome quality and healthy items. I recently visited Lost Boys cidery in Alexandria, which has a very “cool” vibe, great cider, and you get to bring your own food. You haven’t had good cheese fondu until you’ve 1) made it yourself from scratch or 2) visited Stable in D.C; just go. Preservation Biscuit just opened up in Falls Church, VA their biscuit sandwiches are tall! and the mac and cheese is “bomb” are the kids saying that?…Anyways add pulled pork to the mac and cheese mmkay?. These are really just a few I highly recommend if you’re in town. Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First and foremost, I give thanks to GOD. It’s important to know that His name is in the title of my business. GOD is an acronym for ‘Giving Others Delight (Business name: Food by Zaria: Giving Others Delight). God, gives us delight with his Word, and I want to give others delight with the food I make for them!

It was a spiritual fast that got me started on this journey in the first place. Becoming closer to Him, and finding new and healthier ways to eat inspired me to serve others the same way, with better ingredients, better food! My family as well; My sister Shannon, mom and dad. They’ve been behind me on this journey since day one.

A special shout out to Helen Williamson, a friend who was literally the one who said to me over a brunch in Arlington while looking at some things I cooked and taken pictures of and posted on instagram “Zaria, you’re good at this, you need to start a business” .. she said something along those lines, which lit a spark, and I was basically like “why not”. I was on my way to Eburru Kenya for a Mission trip, Helen set the date for my “reveal party” I guess you could call it, for when I returned. The rest is history.

Website: https://www.foodbyzaria.com

Instagram: @foodbyzaria

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zaria-stott

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/user_details?userid=9Kl9sJ40USEzgG-ycnVKJQ

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOgiDMLkIi8QqGbiDhlWmWw

Image Credits
Megan Won