What inspired you to do what you do?
I was tired of working as a substitute teacher and knew I didn’t want to pursue a new degree in this state to become an elementary teacher (my degree was in secondary education) and I really wanted to do something fun with the rest of my life. I loved watching the Food Network and all those cooking shows had me experimenting with new recipes and buying cookbooks all the time; I love to cook!. While whining about my restlessness and frustration with the whole school scene, a co-worker who knew my passion for cooking said I ought to become a personal chef. I had no idea what a personal chef was, but I went home and searched the internet to find out that this was definitely my kind of work! Within days I jumped into learning mode, attended SCORE seminars, joined PCN,( Personal Chef Network), got licensed & certified in safe food handling, and had my business set up to go in a few months. I practiced on a couple of teachers that I’d worked with and they encouraged me to keep going. Much more inspiration came from attending a national PCN convention with about a hundred other personal chefs, most of whom were just like me…people wanting to work out of their homes, set their own hours, and make a fair living. Within a year I was out of the schools and “cheffing” full time.
What are some of your valuable memories?
Traveling to New Zealand for a month in 1975 and stopping in Hawaii and Tahiti is one of my favorite memories. My husband, Paul, and I had saved for 2 years to go with another older couple & we still talk about the fun we had.
A couple years later the most life changing event occurred when I trusted Jesus Christ with my life; for me it was a 180 degrees turn -around and I can say without a doubt that it is THE best memory I hold and still live out in my life.
After having two sons, we traveled across America 3 times in a little tent trailer to upstate NY to see Paul’s family and spend time at his sister’s cabin on Trout Lake. We changed routes each time so we went through nearly every state & part of Canada, & visited Washington DC & the Smithsonian several times …but we never went to Disneyland!
Camping at the beach in Brookings, Oregon every summer so we could cool off from the northern California heat was always so much fun. I’d read on the beach while the boys and friends boogie boarded in their wetsuits a few days and other days we’d drive up the river to swim in the deep holes. Every night we’d play garbage rummy next to the campfire and roast “dough boys” or marshmallows.
What do you do for fun?
I love to forage for edible mushrooms and walk in the woods. I also love to read historical novels & mysteries when my husband and I get away for little mini vacations. I enjoy going with my husband on his business trips to some of the Southern states and eating regional cuisine, especially seafood.
What is something you cannot live without?
I can’t live without the fellowship of other Christian friends. They are forever friends who have helped shape my character in every stage of life, and are there to point me back to the Savior, who is my strength & hope during the hard times in life.
Best Advice: Practice kindness; what goes around comes around.
Things I’m proudest of:
I am proud of myself for finally setting aside time to exercise on a regular basis with a personal fitness trainer and stick to a sensible food plan that is slowly taking off all the weight I have put on in the last 15 years.
Being married 41 years to the same wonderful husband and father of two boys who have turned out great and love us is definitely something to be proud of !
I am also proud of the fact that I am self taught in most of what I do now. Even though I do have a degree in home economics education with an emphasis on cooking and nutrition, I’ve not been to culinary school. Still, my clients all love my food and the young ladies in my 6 week mentoring class love learning new cooking skills.
Describe yourself in one word: Outgoing
When you think of home you think of: Laughter, making cookies with young granddaughters, a son and daughter-in-law, sharing stories at the dinner table, garden flowers & herbs, a bookcase of cookbooks in my office, quiet time with my husband, & looking out at the birds & the trees while reading with my feet up and a cup of coffee.
Biggest Challenge:
Finding the right balance for all the things I like to do or have to do in my life. I tend to get excited about something and spend too much time on it causing neglect in other areas of business, ministry, or family life.
First Job: I was 15 when I began working at a little hamburger “drive-in” owned by the neighbor next door. I worked making burgers, shakes, fries, etc. after school a few nights a week and on weekends at 75 cents an hour. I saved up enough to buy a Magnavox stereo that played a whole stack of LP’s and thought I’d made a million!
Favorite Book: My favorite book is actually a series of 9 historical novels by Brock & Bodie Thoene called Zion Covenant depicting Jewish characters’ lives during Hitler’s rise to power. I’d read them again if I could find all of them.
Biggest Pet Peeve: People who chew with their mouth open, eat while talking to me on the phone, or crunch chips, popcorn or other snacks noisily. Disgusting!!
How can Henderson County better help small business?
My business doesn’t seem to be affected by county government regulations since I cook in peoples’ homes or businesses that have a kitchen on site for their events and do not have a store front. I do know that some of the health department’s rules applying to food prepared at bed and breakfast establishments have more to do with time of day rather than food safety and they need to revise some of those rules to help those struggling businesses better serve their clients.
My philosophy on keeping the home a sanctuary, safe from the frenzy of the work world was key in my decision to become a Personal Chef. Our dinners took place around a table with our two boys amid much talk and laughter most days of the week. I KNOW how hard it is to put a nutritious meal on the table after working all day.
My main goal is to help people with frantic schedules find time to enjoy their loved ones or take care of their fitness needs and still have healthy, great tasting, fast meals at home. I want to be their “time saver”.
(828) 242-0214
Thyme Savor Personal Chef Service
Each month Mountain Pie Company features an outstanding woman from Henderson County, NC. Through these monthly features we hope that you will learn a little more about your friends and neighbors.
In April we Salute
Chef Denice Cole
Henderson County's
Outstanding Woman
Thyme Savers
E-mail Denice
Call Denice Cole and enjoy the benefits of delicious and healthy meals at home with the occasional or regularly scheduled services of a personal chef. Relax with easy entertaining and foods prepped in advance of your party or a fully catered home event. Savor custom made meals made with the freshest, purest ingredients from your favorite store that you simply heat and eat.
An Interview with Denice
