An Interview With Martita Mestey
Have a note pad or recording device to jot down or communicate my culinary ideas; otherwise it remains just an idea.
In this interview series, called “Chefs and Restaurateurs Helping To Promote Healthy Eating” we are talking to chefs and restaurateurs who are helping to promote and raise awareness about healthy eating. The purpose of the series is to amplify their message and share insights about healthy eating with our readers. As a part of this series, we had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Vincent Moore.
The Legacy Chef; Vincent Moore creates southern culinary excellence of handed down generational and newly inspired food recipes cooked with unique crafted libations to musical soul jams. The Legacy Chef uniquely approaches southern cuisine online with a tasty healthier spin to easily follow in the comfort of your home. The Legacy Chef inspires the food fun in building your own culinary positive moments without losing the best in flavor.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Our readers would love to ‘get to know’ you a bit. Can you share with our readers a story about what inspired you to become a restaurateur or chef?
Unknowingly…my journey to wanting to be a Chef started at the age of 7…I was usually getting into some type of rebellious trouble and as discipline I was given the choice of watching a series of my mother Allegretta Julien-Moore’s favorite “Daytime TV soap- operas” with wide-open and awake enthusiasm; or help her with kitchen food & cleaning prep work. Well…. so kitchen helper it was! So, what started as punishment; opened the doors of my young rebellious mind to learn the art of creative unique “making something out of nothing” southern delicious recipes.
Do you have a specific type of food that you focus on? What was it that first drew you to cooking that type of food? Can you share a story about that with us?
Growing up my father was diagnosed with elevated blood health issues which are usually inherited to other direct family members in how and what we eat and drink. I began creating southern dishes in a healthier way without losing great flavor. There is no surprise this became a natural focus of mine.
Can you share the funniest or most interesting story that has happened to you since you started? What was the lesson or take away you took out of that story?
One my best friends totally loves a great mouth-watering steak with garlic seasoned onions; to him that is the closest thing to heaven. Yet…liver and onions are the one thing he could never eat; he disliked everything about it. So…you know where this is going; I invited him over under the impression that the dream dish I was going to make him would be the best dish he would ever have in his life. When he saw what I brought out for my mystery dish and the sight and seasoned aromas hit his senses; he said I am going to make it my business to savor this. In anticipation he cut into the meat to bring it slowly to his awaiting mouth; I said stop! Yet; it was too late as he placed the meat into his mouth and began to take in the flavors. Immediately he stopped chewing; gave me a look that could kill and said stop interrupting me enjoying the best steak and onions I ever had. To this day he doesn’t believe it was liver and onions I served him! So always remember, just because someone says they don’t like the taste of certain foods just means they may not have found the right one.
None of us can be successful without some help along the way. Did you have mentors or cheerleaders who helped you to succeed? Can you tell us a story about their influence?
I know this may sound a little strange, but I also have that one or two friends that just want to tell you all their how it didn’t work for me stories. So when I share my thoughts and ideas these friends; I am guaranteed to get every angle of what not to do. For me; it’s allows me to see my success as faithful on-going actions that may or may not be viewed as a success, but the journey to find what works is the real success.
In your experience, what is the key to creating a dish that people are crazy about?
In my experience the key is creating a Culinary Trinity in one; it looks good/Presentation, smells good/Aroma, tastes good/Flavor all together will drive people crazy about that dish..
Personally, what is the ‘perfect meal’ for you?
It’s Creole Shrimp and Grits; to me that brings out the best favorite food memories of those I love.
Where does your inspiration for creating come from? Is there something that you turn to for a daily creativity boost?
Realizing in faith; I was given a talent to create unique culinary foods to bring healthier ways to experience with others. My culinary creativity comes trying unique blend of different cultural seasons and flavors while listening to vinyl Jazz and soulful groove music.
Are you working on any new or exciting projects now? What impact do you think this will have? Using other organic culture seasons and unknown combinations… I’m currently working together with one the oldest, largest, and most awarded winery St.Julian in Michigan to pair combine healthy cooking with crafted libations in events throughout 2023 and 2024.
Ok super. Let’s now jump to the main part of our interview. You are currently leading an initiative to help promote healthy eating. Can you tell us a bit about what you and your organization are trying to change in our world today.
I am looking to educate and encourage through so many undiscovered tasty foods we can enjoy that could bring healthy vitality into our lives from organic home cooked creations.
Can you tell us the backstory about what inspired you to originally feel passionate about this cause?
As I traveled throughout the United States, and Europe where the appreciation of different culinary experiences and the stories behind them awoke my own personal southern culinary experiences to give birth to Legacy Chef Series healthier cooking with libations in June 2018.
Without saying specific names, can you tell us a story about a particular individual who was helped by your cause?
A long-time friend that I served with in the military literally heard me share my passion and plans to create a healthy and positive culinary online company based on family legacy to encouragement of others; he gave me an unexpected gift of money with no strings. With his financial gift; I was able to fully customize that online vision into its current ongoing culinary reality today.
Are there three things the community/society/politicians can do to help you address the root of the problem you are trying to solve?
Supportive laws and financial grants for local wineries, local craft brewing, organic cultural farming, grants for small innovative culinary businesses dedicated in healthy crafted libation educational resources.
What are your 5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me When I First Started as a Chef or Restaurateur quote and why?
1)Always wear comfortable shoes and clothes.
2)Find the right food market vendors.
3)Use your own favorite cooking tools when possible.
4) Never ask how is the dish; ask what they like about it.
5)Have a note pad or recording device to jot down or communicate my culinary ideas; otherwise it remains just an idea.
Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would like to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. 🙂
Former President Barack Obama would be my number one choice for a breakfast; his life is faithful accomplishments put into action with so much more in the horizon.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
Follow: IG account @taste_the_craft
Main Independent Custom Website: www.TasteTheCraft.net
My Publicist: Desirae L. Benson | ForbesBLK Member | Grammy Member
Entertainment Publicist | Multimedia Journalist
For Legacy Chef private event/bookings contact: DesiraeBBB@gmail.com
This was very meaningful, thank you so much. We wish you only continued success on your great work!
How Vincent Moore, The Legacy Chef, Is Helping To Promote Healthy Eating was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.