Meet Danielle Alex | Chef, Entrepreneur and Traveler

It’s hard to take the money you’ve worked so hard for and saved, and then invest it into yourself. Because there’s always that thought in the back of your mind that it might not work out. Investing your own hard earned money back into yourself is scary. You could lose it all. From that moment on, it’s sink or swim, you eat what you kill. But what if it changes everything and catapults you much further?!? That’s the beauty in it all.

I found out from a young age that food opens doors. I was 18, living in France, still learning the language but when I sat down at a dinner table with others or jumped in a kitchen to cook with others, barriers came down. Food opens doors language cannot. People get comfortable, laugh and try to communicate even if they don’t speak the same tongue. Through food I met so many fascinating people and was invited into intimate areas of people’s lives. I’ve always liked to think of myself as someone who is open, open to knew things, meeting new people and trying new foods. I loved how food transported me to so many different places. Everything in my life pointed me to food. As a young kid I loved watching cooking shows. Every job I had in high school was around food. So it was all so easy when a friend of mine suggested cooking school. It just felt natural. But I still had to come to grips that my life and career path coming from a private Jesuit Catholic high school, would look very different from my peers. But there was nothing to fight because it all came so natural and was so easy for me.

I named my brand Diversity Kitchen, because I’ve had so many beautiful and diverse experiences. I’ve traveled the world and lived in New York, Seattle, France, Hong Kong and Vietnam that my food reflects that.

I’m in New York City. I love to go to Chelsea Market. There are great places to eat and good shopping, especially with the occasional sample sales that pop up. I love to walk the High Line. If not the High Line, a walk in Central Park on a clear day never disappoints. Soho was my first love as a young adult. The energy is a whole vibe, fun boutiques and great restaurants. Two of my favorites day spas are in the Noho/Soho Area: Soho Sactuary (women only) and Great Jones Spa. But we might venture a touch further down to Aire Spa, for their ancient baths and amazing Hammam. That’s where they filmed part of John Wick. Dinner would most likely be Italian at Sistina or Caravaggio on the Upper East Side. And then we could finish the day by going to see a play on broadway.

My parents have always encouraged me to follow my dreams, even if they had their own thoughts as to what I should do. They give tirelessly to serve the Seattle Community. My parents have devoted their lives to bring families back together and helping those who struggle with drug and alcohol addiction, recover. They started the Matt Talbot New Hope Center when I was just born and their work has only grown. They are examples to me every day what it really means to love God, love people and help your community. They taught and continue to teach me the value of education, hard work, the power of relationships, networking, and faith.