Food is an important part of a Black Southern Belle lifestyle. From fresh vegetables to decadent Sunday dinners. Atlanta, GA Chef, Razia Sabour has taken this passion to another level as a full time chef and owner of Fuller Food. This mompreneur used her passion for food to create a lifestyle pursuing her passion and most importantly spending more time with her family. Get inspired to cook a unique meal and follow your dreams with Chef Razia Sabour’s story today!
Image Credits:Holland Reid Photography
Your Name: Chef Razia SabourA
Business Name: Fuller Food, LLC
Alma Mater: Indiana University, Bloomington
Hometown: Washington DC
Current Location: Atlanta GA
Website Link: https://m.facebook.com/fullerfood/
What services do you provide? Catering. Private Chef. Family Meals
Why did you decide to start a business? After having my 1st daughter, my schedule as a social worker did not permit me to spend quality time with her. My desire for quality family time forced me to work toward the vision I had of becoming a chef.
Before you owned a business, what did you do? I was a social worker for nine years working with at risk youth. Working with these children made me realize the importance of nurturing my own child. And subsequently forced me in the direction of my vision to become a chef and business owner.
What is your favorite client story? I’ve been blessed to feed a lot of people, but my favorite experience would be the day I fed Stevie Wonder. I didn’t speak with him nor did I even shake his hand. Nonetheless, the visual memory of him eating my food is very vivid in my mind today.
What is the most interesting client request you have had? On film and TV sets, I’m often asked to create specific dishes that remind actors of their home town or childhood. I guess because of their travel schedules, home cooked meals are what many of my clients crave. Their meal requests, introduce me to new cuisines and also lend an opportunity for me to be creative.
What is the most important thing you have done to build your business? I value person to person relationships and create culinary experiences that allow my clients to remember the feeling of each bite as well as the ambiance, leaving no expectation of service untouched. Marketing is also a great outlet in building my business, it allows for visual reference of my work. However, I believe my clients sell my business for me because, I invest myself in each individual experience.
Who are some of your business idols? My business idols are women in business. Regardless of the industry, to see women grinding to grab their dreams motivates me to grab mine! I do recall a childhood memory of walking through Union Station Mall in Washington DC and seeing a poster of a lady who looked just like me launching her restaurant. Her name is B. Smith. She’s a female mogul, restaurateur, and author of several cookbooks. I have fond memories of watching her cook on tv. She reminds me of my mother, a soft and dainty teacher. Back then, I had no idea I would become a chef or entrepreneur , but that memory is forever implanted in my heart.
Do you have any mentors? Because it’s so easy to absorb inspiration from countless outlets, I don’t believe I have to necessarily know a person by name to be guided by their successes. My ultimate goal is to sell my products in grocery stores. Therefore, my mentors are the artisan companies that I see on the shelves of local boutique grocery stores.
What is your favorite thing about being southern? Although I was not born in the south, I’ve resided in Atlanta, GA for twelve years now! What I truly value about living here is the pace of it all and genuine person to person contact. Honing the quality of southern charm is the staple for building my business.
What is your favorite southern entrees or sides? A�My favorite southern entrA�ea��s developed more so from my clientsa�� most requested dishes rather than me personally. My clientsa�� favorites are; Baked Macaroni & Cheese and my Honey Cornbread. Both of those products are what I’m working toward putting in grocery stores.A�A�
What is your favorite item or piece of clothing to wear/use while doing business? Most of my work settings require that I wear a chef’s coat, however my favorite item to wear is sixties style dresses. I love all things antique. I collect antique silver, which I use to display my food in private chef settings.A�
Comments
Michiel is a Black Southern Belle living a lowcountry life. I love all things fashion, home decor and southern! When I am not running around doing fun stuff for Black Southern Belle, I live in antique stores and have a minor obsession with historic homes :)
Chef Razia is truly a class act when it comes to all aspects of food and service. Her delicious food accompanied by her seamless service standards never disappoints for any event. Any opportunity to enjoy the Fuller Food Experience is definitely a MUST!