Today we’d like to introduce you to Celina Nader
Hi Celina, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born and raised in Damascus, Syria before immigrating with my family to Columbus, Ohio about 23 years ago. Growing up eating home-cooked meals and breaking bread with extensive family led to an insatiable appetite for food that tells a story. I earned my Culinary Arts degree from Columbus State Community College and founded The Insatiable Chef while working on my Bachelor’s degree in English at The Ohio State University.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Starting a business is never a smooth road, I think. Most of my struggles have been around balancing my energy and finances. Insatiable Chef has always been a bit of a side-hustle, a passion project that I work on between working my regular job (or jobs) and studying. In 2024, I finally decided to leave my corporate HR job and pursue my business full-time. Navigating the balance between sustaining my passion for cooking for people and growing the business has been tricky. I’ve found that traditional marketing techniques or hacks don’t necessarily work for me. Spending hours working on social media posts that try to sell my services burns me out in a way that is hard to recover from. After trying a few different methods of connecting with potential clients, I’ve settled on folding some of my other interests into my marketing and branding strategy. I flex my creative writing muscles when writing instagram captions; I write poems and odes to various foods as voiceover scripts for tiktok videos; I collaborate with other folks to include a wider breadth of art and mediums for connection. I’ve found that maintaining my own personal mental and physical health directly supports my business.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I focus on catering wellness and business retreats, private events, and multi-course dinners. I also offer in-person and virtual cooking lessons, tailored to your specific desires (these lessons make for a fantastic date or group activity). I draw from my background in the Middle East, but enjoy exploring all types of cuisines and techniques.
My philosophy: As we engage deeply with our food, we engage deeply with ourselves. It’s my honor to facilitate this divine connection by cooking for people with my whole heart. I approach the meals I prepare with intention: each ingredient added, each stir of a pot work together with the intention of nourishment and joy to create dishes that sing with flavor, that fuel the body and satiate the soul. I keep my ancestors in mind as I repeat the steps and recipes they created, repeated, and taught to their children.
Pricing:
- In-Home Meal Prep: $40 per meal, up to six servings, plus cost of ingredients
- In Person Cooking Lessons: $85 per hour plus cost of ingredients
Contact Info:
- Website: https://theinsatiablechef.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theinsatiablechef/
