Hi there, I'm Deanna, and my husband Adolfo and I are the driving force behind Mindful Food Chef. We're all about sharing our love for handmade food and local ingredients with our wonderful community. Whether you catch us at a local farmers market or your favorite café, you'll taste the dedication we pour into everything we make.
Our journey began back in 2022 when we launched our mobile bakery at the City Center Farmers Market in Florence. It was there that we first started whipping up our European-style breads and mouthwatering meals, using a shared-use kitchen to bring our culinary dreams to life. As demand grew, we expanded into offering cooking classes, empowering others to create delicious dishes in their own homes. The following year, we continued our farmers market adventures, joining the Waccamaw Market Cooperative across the Grand Strand and popping up at other local events.
But Mindful Food Chef isn't just about food—it's about making mindful choices that support both people and the planet. That's why we prioritize working with local farmers who share our commitment to sustainable practices. And when it comes to packaging, you'll never find single-use plastic in our lineup. We're all about encouraging our customers to bring their own reusable containers, because every little bit helps.
Join us on our culinary journey, where every bite is a celebration of community, sustainability, and a shared love for delicious food.
Have a dedicated team for sourcing ethical supplies
Recycle
Compost
Shop local for food and supplies when possible
Reduce food waste
Grow our own herbs and sometimes vegetables
Use compostable packaging and supplies (trash bags, food packaging, etc)
Thrift shop for certain supplies
Avoid single use plastics as much as possible
Educate the community about local food
*This list is not exhaustive, we are always trying to do better as we learn, expand, and gather our community resources. We'd really like to connect with anyone who has helpful ideas and values, so we can change the food system together.
To simply say that I adore food would be an understatement. Food has always been the centerpiece of my life—from family vacations meticulously planned around culinary adventures to learning the art of farm-to-table from my dad, where "fresh" meant plucking produce from our own backyard and preserving it through pickling, canning, and freezing.
As I ventured into adulthood and pursued studies in psychology, I began to recognize the profound impact food has on our overall well-being. This realization sparked a deep dive into various dietary philosophies and led me to embark on personal experiments, including a year-long journey as a vegan and extensive meal prepping to sustain myself through college while juggling multiple jobs and internships. Through these experiences, I discovered the transformative power of mindful eating and the importance of nourishing both body and mind.
Driven by an insatiable curiosity about the intricate relationship between food and human biology and psychology, I extended my stay at Coastal Carolina University for an additional year. During this time, I pursued a minor in biology and concentrated on behavioral neuroscience. My ultimate aspiration was to pursue graduate studies in Clinical Neuropsychology, aiming to specialize in conducting neuropsychological assessments for children with autism, ADHD, and other neurodevelopmental disorders, and to explore the potential of food interventions in their treatment.
However, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted my plans. Despite this setback, I refused to let go of my dream. I realized that while the path may have been altered, my passion for using food as a means of aiding others remained unwavering. Thus, I embraced a new direction, determined to continue making a positive impact on people's lives through food, albeit in a different capacity.
This journey inspired me to establish Mindful Food Chef. Drawing upon my 8 years of experience in the food and beverage industry, coupled with my unwavering passion for food, I joined forces with Adolfo's family recipes, his mastery in meat cooking, and his background in chemistry. Together, we felt empowered to craft culinary creations that would delight and nourish our customers.
Growing up in Venezuela, Adolfo was immersed in a world of vibrant flavors and diverse culinary traditions. With a Spanish father and an Italian mother—who honed her craft as a chef in prestigious establishments like a Michelin-starred restaurant and the Versace Mansion in Miami—Adolfo inherited a deep appreciation for quality cuisine from a young age.
When Adolfo and I crossed paths, our shared love for handmade food ignited an instant connection, and we've been cooking together ever since. Adolfo's expertise shines in his mastery of preparing meats, fish, shellfish, and sauces, drawing inspiration from his rich Spanish and Italian heritage.
Moreover, Adolfo revealed that his pursuit of a chemistry degree stemmed from a desire to combat the scourge of unnecessary plastics polluting our environment. Our mutual love for nature and commitment to reducing our environmental footprint became a cornerstone of our relationship. It's a driving force behind every decision we make in our business, as we strive to lead by example and inspire change within the local food industry, promoting sustainable practices and minimizing environmental impact wherever possible.
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