Our story begins with the one and only, Chef Jeff Riley. He was exposed to working in a kitchen at the age of 16 and moved to working for his family’s business at 18. These early days are where his passion and enthusiasm for cooking started to bloom. He enjoyed meeting new people and serving them excellent food, all while learning and expanding his own skills along the way.
As Chef Jeff continued through his culinary career, he uncovered great love for flavor, composition, aesthetics, and teamwork. After completing formal culinary training and working every line position throughout several kitchens, Chef Jeff turned his attention to community service – seeking out and nurturing young hearts. He created training opportunities with inner city youth and families, focusing on leadership as well as culinary training.
In 2004, Chef Jeff started Chef Jeff Catering as well as a culinary arts program for parents of teens in Minneapolis. Chef Jeff Catering was born out of a non-profit concept, he wanted to: 1) serve churches by providing them with high-level food service experience and 2) provide a platform to offer education, training and employment to young people who were in need or seeking higher opportunities for themselves.
This is the true mission of Chef Jeff Catering. To serve not only our customers but our community and our staff. These days, the business is being pulled even harder in that direction. In 2015 Chef Jeff’s daughter, Amber Stewart, joined the team. Her background is in marketing and business strategy; she not only brings these skills to the business, but she also brings an overflowing zeal. Amber is over-the-top excited about this business. She pours herself into every detail, every day. It is a pleasure and a joy to hear her speak about Chef Jeff Catering. Her enthusiasm, compassion and visionary perspective have ignited this company. Amber brings this enthusiasm and detail-oriented care into every event for every customer. She somehow manages to keep the day-to-day running while dreaming up and pursuing what’s next.
These days, Chef Jeff Catering is growing more abundantly and aggressively than ever. We are establishing a dedicated team, securing new partnerships, deepening our hold on community and developing the next cycle of ideas. We can’t wait to tell you more details but for now, we’ll have to keep it at that. Keep an eye out, because Chef Jeff Catering is up to something here in Minneapolis. We are changing the nature of business; we are changing the culture of commercial kitchens; we are putting our money where our mouth is, and we are doubling down on our vision of the future.
