Today we’d like to introduce you to Afiya Griffith.
Afiya, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I’ve always been drawn to the kitchen for as long as I can remember, Christmas time at four years old I would sit in this little chair in my Grandma’s kitchen and watch her and some of my, mom, sisters, cousins, and aunties make the traditional cookies that we make every year. As I got older my passion with food continued to grow and I went from cooking in my easy bake oven to the big leagues at home. I started selling desserts at my local JC and to others with a sweet tooth. I loved experimenting with breakfast and creating little meals here and there for my family and when they were actually enjoying my meals I knew that this was something I was meant to do.
So as soon as I was ready this California girl packed her bags and moved to sunny Miami to begin my journey to becoming a chef, I studied and graduated from Johnson & Wales University with a BA in foodservice management and an AS in Culinary Arts. From that time I’ve been fortunate to study abroad in Italy and work for some of the top chefs around the world. However I’ve always known that I wanted to take my passion to new heights with my own vision and outlook so I rebranded myself and created Bites in Bloom, which is my catering, meal prep and intimate dining business, with Bites in Bloom I’ve fallen in love with food all over again, and I’m excited to reach the world one fork at a time.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has not always been a smooth road, the transition between California and Florida alone was a tough challenge for me. Being far from my family and my comfort zone, it challenged me to learn independence and responsibility. However, it also prepared me for this career. Being a chef is no easy task, you have a hot kitchen, fast-paced, and at least 4-5 people that you’re stuck dancing around for the next 8+ hours, it requires patience, it requires passion. It requires you to be strong ag all costs. Being a woman in this field means you’re tough and can take it, you will be challenged by your male counterparts to see if you even belong.
I have been overlooked for job opportunities because the chef felt that the position would better suit a man, I’ve been challenged my whole career but I love it and I love showing the world that I am up for anything they throw my way. There have been times that I’ve had to miss out on important happenings in my life because being a chef requires sacrifice, you are going to work holidays, and weekends, you are going to lose a lot of sleep, especially the higher up the ladder you get. There were many time I got frustrated when POS systems fail you and you have 1000+ covers. It was in these times that I sat and realized that everything in my life had prepared me for these moments, every moment of patience that I practiced, every moment of getting outside of my comfort zone, prepared me for a lifetime of being a chef.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Bites in Bloom story. Tell us more about the business.
Bites in Bloom is a catering, meal prep and intimate dining experience. I have combined all of my passions into her. The name comes from the idea that the dining experience is a blooming process, first our food is planted, then picked, prepared and them boom the food has bloomed and is beautiful. My love for food combined with my education in health with my love for that one on one connection with my guest is what I truly love. My main goal with Bites in Bloom was to bring food with a personality and story to everyone.
I am most proud that my food is a reflection of me its an extension of what brings me joy and I am thrilled that I can offer those services to others. I offer a wide variety of menus vasting over many different cultures and cuisines including desserts, food, beverages. I believe what sets me apart in my ability to not be conformed into what is convenient or commercial but staying authentic and personable in every dish.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
It has played no role, I believe that life had already been mapped out by God before us and the destiny that each of us has, will flow and flow naturally, all of the things that we encounter we were meant to, in that very moment.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: BitesinBloom
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