Welcome to another BIG Yellow Pot Interview. There are so many different ways to go about the “foodie” or “chef” lifestyle. You could be on television. You could be a blogger. You can be a YouTube personality. You can cook the food or you can just eat it. You can be a nutritionist specializing in dietetics or weight loss. You could highlight local cuisine or you could travel all over the world. You could bake or you could exclusively make savory dishes. You could open a food truck, a restaurant or catering business. You could do private pop-up dinners, work in a test kitchen, do fine dining or farm to table cuisine. You could even be a chef who cooks outdoors or forages for ingredients in tough conditions. There is no wrong way to be a foodie or chef. We ALL have to choose what fits us best and what we believe is the best way to highlight our talents. I have trained in nutrition and hospitality. I have made foods for kids 10 and under, I've made foods for special diets such as Keto, and I catered during the pandemic. Food has a way of carrying you across many different paths, cultures and career paths.
Today, The BIG Yellow Pot is highlighting a very special guest. “Daya'' is a private chef and caterer who owns Dash Of Daya Co. Daya, started in 2021. I have a special place in my heart for new food entrepreneurs that started out during the pandemic. It is already difficult to bring dreams to reality, so, to do so when the world is crumbling in chaos is a double achievement in my book. She is already steps ahead of the game with her own website for ordering. She has clean and professional marketing and lovely deals! She was also quick, responsive and hardworking, so I knew I had to have her on the blog. Daya was recommended to me through another foodie and mutual friend on social media. She offers a number of services including private dinners, date night packages, brunch, event catering and the star of the show for today “Valentines Day in a Box''. When you order the Valentine's Day Box, Daya offers a variety of entree, wine, dessert and side options. She then delivers your personalized box with candles and roses. All you and your date have to do is pay the money and eat. I decided for this particular blog post, no recipe was necessary. I will however allow Daya to tell you all where to find her and what services she offers via her website below! Do me a favor and welcome Daya and her company Dash of Daya Co. to the BIG YELLOW POT!!!!
A word from Daya...
Hey Everyone!
I’m Daya Jay the owner and founder of Dash of Daya Co. I hope that after seeing this interview you’re interested enough to follow us on Instagram and Facebook!
My site for ordering is here: dashofdayaco.glossgenius.com
Here are a few photos of my work... You can also follow me on Instagram @dashofdayaco & Facebook Dash of Daya Co.
She offers all sorts of services, so please check out her link dashofdayaco.glossgenius.com
Interview :)
As a young chef, what do you feel pulls you to food or the chef lifestyle?
My love for art, I love making a memorable experience through my events & for anyone who tastes my food. That is mostly what keeps me interested in the chef lifestyle.
In your introduction while we got to know each other, you mentioned you were self taught and grew up in a family of talented cooks. Is there a special person you’d strive to make proud?
Yes! My mom. She was a single mom my entire childhood but that didn’t stop her from making sure we had everything we needed (plus a lot of what we wanted). She actually is the reason I’m self taught! She’s an amazing cook. So, naturally I have to make her proud.
Dash of Daya was established in 2021, tell us a little bit about what your cooking style is and why you chose last year to become an entrepreneur?
If I could label my cooking style, I’d call it “Gourmet on the Go”. I love hearty meals with premium meats! My signature lamb chops are to DIE for. Last year. I chose to take cooking seriously because I was noticing an increase in requests for my food. My support came quickly, and I’m grateful for everyone who has supported me thus far.
If you were ordering your Valentine's Day Box, what combination would you order from Dash of Daya Co.?
I’d get the blackened salmon w/ asparagus and oven roasted potatoes!
What is something you find challenging about catering or being a private chef? What do you do to mitigate those challenges or hard moments?
The biggest challenge I have faced so far has been not knowing the space I am working in before I arrive. This makes it a little difficult to envision how I'd like to my set-up to be presented. However, I am pretty quick on my feet and it usually isn't much of a problem. Nothing a few minutes and some brainstorming can't solve, right? I arrive to envision how I’d like the set to be presented. I try not to get flustered during my catering events because I want to keep the positive energy in the atmosphere. So, I try my best to only focus on things I can control.
When is the first time you can remember when you went from home cook to chef? Tell me a little bit about that moment. For me, I knew I wasn't just good at cooking when I made a perfectly balanced Chicken Curry for the first time.
For me it was making a perfect Créme Brûlée. I was in literal shock by how good it was. The consistency was superb!
Being that we are both self taught, who is your favorite chef or show that you learned from or any influence that you pull inspiration/technique from?
I honestly don’t pull techniques from anyone directly. I love the show “Delicious Miss Brown''. Having a black woman from the south being her authentic self on a major TV network is amazing to me! She always says she doesn’t measure anything and neither do I! I cook with feeling and love.
If Daya was a dish, what dish would she be? Why? Explain it in detail… Make us taste what you envision.
If I had to choose, I’d be an herb crusted chicken breast w/ crushed tomatoes over linguine pasta (drizzled with beurre blanc). That was the first dish I had while working at Cafe Bistro in Nordstrom. I loved it so much that I went home to recreate it right after! Beurre Blanc is a white wine butter sauce that is very light but full of flavor! There are hints of garlic and rosemary within the sauce. Another note, the herb crusted chicken seared to perfection with the perfect acidic touch of tomatoes is a combination I never knew I needed. Linguine pasta just happens to be my favorite. So combine all of them and boom, you have a dish that is all ME.
I think you touched on this before but I have to ask. What team are you on?
Cook with recipes or Cook without recipes…Why?
I'm on team “no recipes”. I can follow a recipe but my food turns out better when I don’t! I cook from the heart and that’s the way I plan to keep it.
If you could give encouragement to another budding chef or entrepreneur, what words of advice would you give?
Don't give up, don’t feed into the hype of social media because none of it is real. Also, your hometown has your biggest haters. Expand your horizons and market in different cities!
Do you like to bake? If so, what sort of desserts do you keep on your roster? If not, what would you like to learn to become an expert at baking wise?
I don’t to be honest, lol. I enjoy sweet treats but I’m no baker.
NOTE FROM ME
Hello My Loves! Its Caity here. There is no recipe for today's post. I will be doing a Mukbang style video trying out my Valentines Day Box. I ordered Blackened Salmon, Asparagus, Caesar Salad, White Wine and Strawberry Shortcake Shooters. ALL FOR 75 DOLLARS. On top of that, the deal lasts ALL MONTH LONG. Lets also not forget that my dinner came with cutlery, plates, napkins, rose pedals, candles and a champagne glass! All I did was spread my rose pedals and candle and started eating.
So, forgive me if you see smacking, food falling, dancing or anything of the sort. IT WAS DELICIOUS.. like I know when food is "good" or just barely edible but this?? SO DAMN GOOD. I honestly had such a good time eating dinner by myself as well. Y'all let me know where would you ever find a meal like this so close to Valentines Day that isn't crazy expensive or time consuming with reservations etc? Nowhere. So. go ahead and click that link above.
I just got out of an almost 3 year relationship. I have also moved out of our apartment we shared in the last two weeks or so. With so much loss and negativity in my mind from January, I truly needed this. Daya knows personally how much that it really meant to me.The dinner serves two and she was willing to cut my cost and just bring me one portion. I declined of course; I know what it is to be a caterer and I would't ever take money out of any creatives pocket. Plus I have ZERO problems with leftovers haha! However the thought was really so sweet. This is one of the best Valentines Day's that I have ever had as a single woman and thats so strange with it being so close to the handful of traumas I have faced in the beginning of 2022..
This is by far a very special day even in the face of my struggles. The BIG Yellow Pot thanks you personally Daya for such a great holiday!
Please support Dash of Daya Co. and Daya Jay for the years to come as she grows her business into an empire. I see it coming and I wouldn't want y'all to miss out because she will likely be consistently booked once people get a taste. Go over to the Instagram @thebigyellowpot & watch me eat my dinner and talk more about Daya Jay and her business.
Take Care
<3 Happy Valentines Day
- Caity
This was truly an intimate, beautiful interview and moment to reflect! Thank you! Heading over to Instagram now to watch your video ^_^ <3