Today we’d like to introduce you to Camerron Dangerfield. They and their team shared their story with us below:
Chef Cam, aka Camerron Dangerfield, native of Chicago, IL, is an Alabama A&M University alumnus taking the culinary world by storm. He prepared himself for a successful career as a celebrity chef, author, restaurant consultant, reality TV personality, and entrepreneur when he decided to major in International Business w/ a concentration in finance. He has also made time to return to his alma mater to advance Food Science programs during its Community & Global Health Fair, and also designing a state-of-the-art on-campus cafeteria and revitalizing its entire menu.
Chef CAM is a chef with lots of personality and lots of accolades to back it up! He is a 2x Food Network Champion with wins on Cutthroat Kitchen & Chopped, a Georgia Chef of the Year honoree, and was a participating chef in seasons 9 and 10 of Master Chef, hosted by world-renowned Chef Gordon Ramsey. Starting humble as a self-taught chef, Chef CAM is no stranger to the ecosystem of a restaurant. Holding positions as dishwasher, server, FOH & BOH Manager, Sous Chef & Executive Chef, he has shown his dedication to the industry. As a celebrity private chef, you can see chef showcasing his talent with the likes of Teyana Taylor & Iman Shupert, Toni & Trina Braxton, Rickey Smiley, Bravo’s Married to Medicine and Real Housewives of Atlanta, VH1’s Love & Hip-Hop & Growing up hip-hop plus many more. As Chef Partner of restaurants across the country, like Cultivate Food & Coffee, BLAQUE Cigar Lounge, and Rusconi Pizza & Grill, this is a full display of what love is. Chef CAM also resided as a Resident Chef on the NBC Universal daily talk show Sister Circle Live.
Always thinking of others, Cam has created many philanthropic endeavors, such as the ‘Chefs For Change’ Challenge, to meet the need and void in food desserts across the country. Over time, the chef has worked with big brands like Anheuser Busch, Walmart’s Repurpose Brand, Bolthouse Farms, Japanese Powerhouse Nakano Knives, Spiceology, HBCU Buzz, Emblem Olive Oil, and more. Plus, he’s even written a few cookbooks! Chef Cam has recently moved to Chicago, where he is developing a culinary entrepreneurship curriculum at his Alma mater, Rich Township 227. To continue his service work, Chef CAM plans to launch a full-service hospitality firm that will focus on revitalizing small & historic businesses in the food & beverage industry. He also plans to create delicious food offerings through a late-night cooking show concept to be streamed through social media.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Being a creative and entrepreneur is not a smooth road nor easy task. I have personally struggled with financial barriers, developing strategy, maintaining budgets, expanding without knowledge, maintaining time, trusting help from those around you.
It’s the most difficult when you’re the first in your immediate family, and you have no examples. You find yourself finding it out on your own through mistakes and schooling life.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a culinary architect. I specialize in making dreams come true for aspiring culinary creatives, chefs, caterers, restauranteurs. I am the master of the blueprint for those who need help finding their way. I pride myself in lending my talents to black and minority business owners.
I am known for creating exhilarating business projects, restaurant, menu programs, culinary entertainment, and believing that even today dreams still come true.
I am most proud of having a dream, seeing it through, working hard, and never allowing a no to be final. Just like my newest project, Downtown Cincinnati, Ohio, ALMOST V’GAN Lounge, which will be an upscale eatery and lounge that will feature an exhilarating menu featuring delicious vegan and traditional lounge tapas. These menu items will feature farm-to-table fresh produce, exotic spices, and herbs, along with deliciously crafted cocktails and handmade lemonades from celebrity mixologist DJ EL.
This is a project like none other and is going to interrupt the food scene of downtown Cincinnati like you have never seen before.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
As a child, I was what you call a busybody. I grew up in a household with up to seven or eight people at a time, so you had to have personality. I was always self-sufficient yet entertaining and inquisitive. I challenged everything around me in order for me to learn and grow at an exponential rate. I found a lots of my peace and solace in the kitchen, cooking with my grandmother. Those were some of the fondest memories of my childhood. I got to be free, creative and expressive.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: cookingwithcam
- Facebook: Camerron Dangerfield
- Twitter: Coookingwithcam
Image Credits
Jerome Coverson Photography
Jeremiah Drummond Photography
