Meet Vernetta Stewart | Executive Chef

We had the good fortune of connecting with Vernetta Stewart and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Vernetta, let’s start by talking about what inspires you?
This is such a loaded question for me! My mom cooked at the same job for 43 years, and I swore I would never cook. I saw the hours she worked, and I did not want to work so hard. Although I learned how to cook at an incredibly young age, I did not enjoy it, but I was willing to learn. My mom and all my aunts were great cooks, so food was always a big part of my life. When I graduated high school, I went into finance for 12 years. As I got older and moved in my own apartment I begin to cook more, and I really start to enjoy it. One day I was on vacation and said, “I’m going to culinary school!” I went to my local college that had an amazing culinary program and I was enrolled within a couple hours. I realized while attending culinary school I was inspired by my mother & my aunts. My mother cooked 43 years but was never recognized or honored as a chef! My mom and aunts were self-taught generational chefs, my inspiration was to become a Certified Chef to honor them and what they taught me.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I started my culinary career with a drive to gain knowledge. I graduated from culinary school in 2008 with an associate degree in Culinary Management and an associate degree in Restaurant Management. I graduated on the President’s List and became Certified with the American Culinary Federation (ACF).

My culinary career began at Amelia Island Plantation in Amelia Island, FL, a Triple AAA, Four Diamond resort. I provided culinary services in all dining venues within the resort. These included: casual dining, fine dining, banquets, and the bake shop. The experience and knowledge gained from the Amelia Island Plantation enabled me to open A Cook for You Catering services in 2010. My Executive Sous Chef position with Ponte Vedra Inn & Club a Triple AAA Five Diamond resort, allowed me to continually hone her craft. I was invited to serve as a chef for Super Bowl XLIII 2009 in Tampa, Florida.

Through my culinary skills, I support local non-profit organizations in the city by providing culinary training, safety and sanitation training, meal preparations and meal delivery.

I have been featured in several publications including Edible Magazine, The Buzz, Florida Times Union, Healthy Living, Food, and Southern Living. With over 15 years of culinary experience my passion for culinary continues to thrive. I am the founder of Footprints of Angels a 501c3 nonprofit supporting women impacted by infertility.

I been a chef 15 years and I love every minute of it. It is a lot of work but all love. I remember when I was in culinary school, I said I do not care to be star, I just want to cook good food for people and build meaningful relationships. I never cared about fame! My level of professionalism, desire to continue to learn, great food, and servants’ heart has set me apart.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
We would start with a morning walk on the beach, I love the beach! I would take us a nice meal, seafood and mimosas.

I love indoor activities, like painting with a twist something calming but creative. We would have a spa day, facial, manicure, pedicure, and body treatments.

We would take a day trip to Orlando to shop and have lunch.

We would visit Savannah riverfront for food and music.

The rest of time we would relax and catch up over culinary treats that I prepare.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My Mom My Husband
My Family
Chef Bauer
Chef Mueller
Florida State Community College

so many, its hard to remember

Website: www.chefvernetta.com & www.footprintsofangels.org

Instagram: chefvernetta

Facebook: chefvernetta

Youtube: chef vernetta or Vernetta Stewart

Image Credits
Cole LoCurto Robert Walker