Today we’d like to introduce you to Frank Deets.
Hi Frank, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
After Covid I wished to start a new career path. I started at the culinary training program at the Citylink community outreach center to start developing my culinary skills and career. I loved it and could not stop learning. It ignited my hunger for more knowledge and growth. Once I finished the program, I got a job at TQL stadium at a line cook and started to get my associate’s degree in culinary arts at Midwest Culinary Institute at Cincinnati State. Over the next two years I completed my courses while moving up the ladder at my job. I went from line cook, to lead cook, to concessions supervisor. After that I started getting medals in culinary competitions and receiving my own private chef gigs. As medals and opportunities grew I decided to leave the stadium and start my own business. Today, I am the baker at Northstar cafe in kenwood towne center on top of running my own business and youtube channel “The Chefs Wooden Spoon”. I also have my own bread baking show “Bread-a-licious” through the “eat this TV” network.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My past was not always perfect especially starting as musician when I was younger. So, starting a new career in my thirties with not much previous experience made me have to start from the bottom up. But I was able to take the art of practicing and apply it to my new field. But due to my experience on paper, no matter how much skill I showed, I got denied several opportunities in culinary advancement. That was a huge mental hurt for me, and it took much energy to stay positive in moments along with extra time to constantly scout new opportunities.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
The Chef’s Wooden Spoon is my private/personal chef business. Which mainly service type business. I do simple home dinners, artisan bread deliveries, private events, catering, consulting, contract work, and of course my YouTube channel @thechefswoodenspoon and the show “Bread-a-licious”
I specialize in Artisan style bread and southern cuisine which is why many people know me from “bread-a-licious”. I am very proud of the show mainly because my father and I talked greatly about me being on a cooking show one day. In the beginnings of this new career path, I was pretty much in poverty. My father kept encouraging me through the tough times and advancement barriers. He passed away, but I am most proud of keeping my promise to him of not only being on a cooking show, but actually having my own.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
When I was growing up, I was definitely a hybrid personality. I had interest in both food and music. I often would watch emeril live because of this. So, when the school band went on trips, I also wound up doing a lot of cooking or BBQ on those trips.
Pricing:
- Pricing varies based on service needed.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thechefswoodenspoon.com/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheChefsWoodenSpoon
