Today we’d like to introduce you to Taylor Reilly.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I grew up in New York in an Irish-Italian family where food and family was THE culture. My earliest memories growing up were in the kitchen on Long Island where my Great Grandmother Rose (first generation from Italy) and my Grandmother Marie used to roll out fresh pasta with a broomstick. Family dinner was everything- with as many as 20 of us stretching the table from the dining room to the living room as each course was served over several hours of laughter and long stories, and of course, eating. It’s where everything happened and it has always been a huge part of my identity.
After exploring other interests after college, I followed my roots back to the kitchen and enrolled in cooking school in Manhattan at the French Culinary Institute. I worked as a bartender by night at my local Irish pub, at a prestigious art gallery in Chelsea by day and fit school in between as I struggled to follow my true passion and start a career I was in love with.
Cooking school lead me to work for a number of high profile chefs in NYC, most notably April Bloomfield, my biggest inspiration. I worked as an intern at her Michelin starred restaurant The Spotted Pig and that is where my eyes really opened. April is an incredible chef, but also, an amazing motivator and leader and she and her wonderful team really exposed me to what my dreams could hold if I continued to work hard to develop my talent as a professional cook.
After years working in NYC restaurants, loving every moment, I met a cook from California who was in town working privately on a yacht. He spun me stories of travels and adventures (and a salary!) that sounded mythical and I filed the encounter away as a fairytale. Years later, after helping launch April’s next restaurant, The John Dory, I ran into the yachtie chef again and decided to take my chances. I was in my twenties, ready for a new adventure, and with a few calls and emails, got myself to Fort Lauderdale, the hub of the yachting industry.
Within a week of completing my seaman’s courses, I interviewed with the Captain of Motoryacht Pegasus, a 202 foot super yacht, and I was trembling. I had NEVER seen a “boat” like this before, nor did I know what was to be expected of me. I signed on, packed up, and shipped out, and didn’t look back to land for nearly 9 years.
When I joined yachting, I had no idea that I would be cooking for some of the most recognizable movie stars and directors, musicians and politicians, sports figures and “regular” families of wealth from all over the world. My first year on Pegasus I traveled to seven countries, did two trans-Atlantic crossings, and catered on board events at the Cannes Film Festival and the Monaco Grand Prix- and countless other parties. I cut off the tip of my thumb, I learned to speak French, and I thanked my lucky stars to be working 100+ hours a week with such an amazing crew. I was doing what I loved most, feeding and hosting and bringing people together to celebrate. I realized from this moment that being a cook is so much more than putting food on a plate, its making the same happy memories for people that I had growing up around our big family table in NY.
After years of adventure on sea, I decided to start the next chapter of my career on land and moved to south Florida to launch Greenroots Gourmet. I wanted to take the knowledge I’ve gained in top NYC restaurants and on super yachts and offer the best high-end food and luxury service with an emphasis on fresh, vibrant, and healthful food preparation. We provide specialized chef services for clients in their homes or on their yachts with customized weekly meal service as well as special events catering. The company is nearly 2 years old and we are growing everyday. We love Miami and are both honored and proud to work with other amazing local businesses here to serve the wonderful clientele of South Florida.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
While I’ve had my share of bumps in the road as I’ve evolved my cooking and my career over the years, I feel very thankful to have had all the opportunities bestowed upon me- even when they were disguised as obstacles. Breaking into any new area has its difficulties- getting started in competitive NYC kitchens, starting over in a new industry, launching my own land-based business- but with tenacity and the support of a very talented and hardworking team, my business is thriving and I continue to get to do what I love most-cooking and creating happy memories for people.
Greenroots Gourmet – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
What sets us apart at Greenroots Gourmet, is that we offer amazing five-star food with a focus on health and luxury service- offered to our clients in the privacy of their own homes. Showcasing the freshest of local and seasonal ingredients I custom creates elegant menus for our clients guaranteed to delight AND nourish. We offer weekly meal service, private events catering, and even wellness services to our clients all custom tailored to their tastes and dietary preferences.
We can all agree that feeling good starts with how we treat our bodies. I’ve always been interested in health and wellness and how the foods we eat help us thrive. I have done intensive training developed for culinary professionals learning techniques to really make healthy meals shine while maintaining maximum nutritional value. Eating more healthfully doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor!
I am proud to be able to offer five-star chef services to my community. I am proud that we are able to help our clients transform their health. I am proud that I get to work with inspiring local farmers and fishermen to support local business while helping preserve our environment. I am proud of the many volunteer projects Greenroots Gourmet is a part of- most recently working with a local birthing center to teach pregnant women how to cook healthfully to support their bodies and babies through pregnancy. I am proud of the very talented of hardworking people that make up my team at Greenroots Gourmet. Our integrity, drive, and professionalism set us apart, and we are excited to continue to grow. Please visit our webpage for more details!
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success to me is getting to do what I love everyday while helping my clients feel their best. Success is also finally finding a work/life balance that I haven’t known for many years but am able to enjoy more now as my own boss. I am thankful everyday for the love and support of my incredible husband, our wonderful family and the amazing community we have in South Florida that have enabled me to continue to grow my business- the sky is the limit!
Pricing:
- 10% off service fee for a private event or a week of custom meal service with promo code VOYAGEMIA10
Contact Info:
- Website: www.GreenrootsGourmet.com
- Phone: 5166524429
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greenrootsgourmet/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChefTaylorReilly/
Image Credit:
Emily Robinson Photography
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