Could it be Ky-Mani Marley or the incredible Vegan and Flexitarian meal that I just served him? Who knows, but I’m still feeling the goosebumpy and euphoric effects of blessing the palate of the son of the legendary Bob Marley.

I blog about my journey as a Personal Chef (one of my many titles) frequently in this space.  Recently, I allowed you guys to get up close and personal with a sneak peek on my picnic with the Hip Hop artist, Common aka Rashid.  I regularly welcome you into my world of publicity dropping the occasional interview or two. And sometimes I get super personal and even share my inner foodie workings and challenges I have with food relating.  But rarely, do I take you all on a journey of what it’s like from start to finish providing private culinary services for clients including celebrities. For shame! Surely you’d love to know

My first introduction to Ky-Mani Marley was in 2000 when I heard his song Dear Dad (which you can see him perform below) and felt every bone in my body vibrate to his beautiful voice.  Then I had the visual pleasure of seeing him in film in  Shottas in 2002 (brraaaaap!!!).  Later I solidified my respect for this talented man when I fell in love with his character Kassa in one of my favorite movies of all time, One Love.

So enter last week when a little birdie informs me that he is going to be in town for his Dear Dad Book Tour and this particular birdie is organizing it! *squeal* Well, considering that I am all about telling the world who I am and requiring that the world meet me as I am….then naturally, I knew that Ky-Mani Marley wanted me as his personal chef….naturally.

As I, Ky-Mani and the Universe would have it…introductions were made, business was arranged, and deliciousness was in order.

I’ve provided private culinary services for quite some time, however Ky-Mani Marley was my first celebrity client.  Thus shedding new light on the phrase, “if you wait to do everything until it’s right, you’ll probably do much of nothing“.  Soooo typically, I have more time to meet with clients, get a feel for their taste/style/allergies/etc., grocery shop, experiment while cooking, deliver, stay a while and talk and hear them oooh and aaaah over the goodness I put on their tables.

In this case….not so much!  I made (not-so-concrete) plans the night before, touched base that morning and essentially waited…..when working with celebrities, you typically work with their team (manager, publicist, etc.).  That was my first challenge…although we spoke the night before, I was not  able to spend as much time to get a feel for Ky-mani’s culinary desires to inspire my cooking.  However, me being the Culinary Goddess that I am, harnessed his energy and had already prepared a menu inspired by his music and film so that I could be ready-ish.  I get the call at 3 pm…they want the food at 6 pm…RUSH HOUR….right before the book signing.

Hmmmmm, well considering that I had to get my menu approved (which it was) I couldn’t really do grocery shopping prior to. So I switch gears and get into production mode…I have to go to 2 grocery stores so that I can  produce Garlic Ginger Salmon, Jerk BBQ Vegan Chicken Kebabs, Cilantro Rice and Steamed Callaloo with Coconut Milk AND package the food (because Branding is essential) AND get dressed in my 4 inch heels of course (because i had a Harvard Alumni dinner to attend to afterwards) AND be there on time with a Goddess-tude to feed Ky-Mani and his boys!  Yeah! I had to do all of that in 3 hours!  IT was seemingly next to impossible, but I didn’t even entertain that thought for a mere second, because I KNOW that I manifested this experience and I KNEW that I could deliver it!

And deliver it I did!

• Even though there was traffic on the road, Ogun seemed to take the wheel of my vehicle and help me make maneuvers as if I was the star of Talladega Nights!
• Even though my Cilantro Rice tried to play with me and act like it wasn’t gonna cook right, my Goddess put a handle on it!
• Even though I concentrated so hard on preparing the food that I dang near forgot that I had to serve it in something, the voice of Kris, my Brand Manager at Voz Visual popped in my head and reminded me to Brand my presentation, because Naturi Beauty has to speak when I’m not there while they chow down.
• Even though I showed up on time at the WRONG book store (Borders) and had only 20 minutes to get to the right book store (Barnes and Nobles), Ogun and the Time Fairies saw to it that my rush hour, inner city navigation was safe and prompt. Yesssss!

I’m honored to have served a member of the Royal Marley Dynasty….but I’m even more honored to have served my self, my vision, my Goddess and my Truth. To many more celebrity clients….your palate awaits me because this Lioness is on the Rise.