Check Out Tara Richard’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tara Richard.

Hi Tara, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I have always loved cooking. I have many fond memories of cooking with my mother and my Abuela when I was a child. For me, cooking was a way of showing others that I cared for them and wanted them to enjoy eating and spending time together. I was a Science teacher for many years and after starting a family I became a full-time stay-at-home parent.

I also homeschooled my children for many years. I loved incorporating cooking into our lessons and daily lives. After COVID, my children decided to re-enter public school and I was at a crossroads. I was not sure that I wanted to go back to teaching full-time. At that time, a local mother was looking for cooking help in her home. I responded to her ad and began cooking for her family a few days a week. I had never heard the term “personal chef” before and always thought of chefs as something only professional athletes or celebrities had in their homes.

I soon learned what Personal Cheffing was all about through research and listening to a few amazing podcasts. I also had more and more people reaching out to me about my meal preparation services. I decided to go “all in” on becoming a personal chef. I joined the United States Personal Chef Association, built a website, began advertising, and developed professional relationships.

Since I started a few years ago with one “active family of 4” I have grown tremendously. I branched out from only doing meal preparation to cooking for small weddings, formal dinner parties, and chef’s table events at a local venue in Conifer. I love the business I have grown and it brings me so much joy to provide this service to my community.

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
For me, cooking has been the easiest part of the journey. The business side is the hardest part for me. I have had to learn to build a website and what SEO is.

I have had to learn how to do bookkeeping taxes and marketing – none of which I had any previous experience in. I have had to miss some of my kids’ sports and events on weekends when I was working, which has been a huge adjustment for me.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am very proud of my Puerto Rican heritage – I learned a lot about cooking from my Abuela Hilda. I love to bring a fusion of my Puerto Rican heritage with locally available foods. I also am very passionate about supporting local businesses, especially women-owned businesses. For example, a traditional Pastelillo is made using ground beef as a filling.

To make it more “Colorado” I fill it with ground bison sourced from Adams Natural Meats in Evergreen. I also love to make a spin on Ropa Vieja but I make it with beef short ribs that I get from a local female butcher in Evergreen. As often as possible I work to partner with other women in my small community and the surrounding communities.

I donate my time each month to cook for the Silverset luncheon in Shawnee and it has brought me great joy to provide the seniors of Park County with a delicious meal every month. I am also co-hosting a women’s networking event in a few weeks to bring the women of our area together for community, friendship, and fun.

How do you define success?
Success to me is being able to be fulfilled in all aspects of life and to achieve balance.

My business brings me personal fulfillment and allows me to improve the lives of members of my community through my services. It also allows me to be there for my children and partner daily.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.thekitchenyeti.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thekitchenyeti/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thekitchenyeti

Image Credits
McGlone Photography and Kristin McGlone