Our Story

Born and raised on the South Side of Chicago, Chef Danielle Alexys better known as DA Real Foodie has always had a love and passion for food. Like a lot of young Black girls do, Danielle spent a great deal of time with her Nana (great-grandmother), particularly in the kitchen making (and mostly tasting) everything from bacon and eggs to full course Sunday dinners with 3-layer red velvet cake. 

 

Dani eventually decided to take her interests in cooking a step further, and in the 6th grade she enrolled into a cooking camp and began to explore her natural talents on her own. This was the first time that she had full access to a commercial kitchen, with all the veggies, meats, and tools necessary for cooking. I guess you could say that it was love at first sight. From this moment on, Dani would begin experimenting with all kinds of dishes and meals—and at the age of 13 her assigned place in almost all the family homes at holidays and events, was in the kitchen, where she loved being. 

 

After graduating high-school, Dani decided to enroll in Tennessee State University, where she would study Public Relations. Although the HBCU culture was great, and spring break was wonderful, after her second year Dani returned home feeling unfulfilled and unsure of her current path. Taking a leap of faith, she left TSU, and decided to pursue something she had always been good at and loved doing cooking. Taking no time off, she enrolled into the Washburne Culinary and Hospitality Institute that fall.

 

While attending Washburne, Dani had the opportunity to work alongside many talented and famous chefs and was trained by some of the best culinary professionals in Chicago. Her culinary education gave her the technical skills and expertise to be able execute flawless catering jobs, while also providing pleasing aesthetics and atmospheres.

 

In short, DaRealFoodie Catering LLC is a Personal Chef/Catering company, offering traveling personal chef experiences. DaRealFoodie Specializes in Cajun Cuisine with a homestyle flare. Since launching in 2016, DaRealFoodie has catered over 200 events, and some with as many as 350 guests. A rising chef, DaRealFoodie has provided private chef experiences for several athletes, entertainers, and social media influencers in the Chicago and Atlanta area. As a traveling chef, DaRealFoodie is available to meet clients at their destination, and is not unfamiliar with traveling internationally to make their culinary dreams come true.