Name: Chef Aleem
Profession: Personal Chef & Caterer
Age: 45
Initially inspired by single fatherhood to provide a processed-free diet to his children, Chef Aleem has taken culinary arts to new heights. Greatly recognized by the public for his unconventional release of his Meal Time cookbook included in 2 Chainz’s BOATS II album, Chef Aleem has since seasoned something special for the likes of personalities Cynthia Bailey, Phaedra Parks, super-producer Metro Boomin’ and several entertainment notables. Chef Aleem is currently cooking up his signature dishes, as he travels with Justin Beiber on the Purpose World Tour.
Although Chef Aleem has always had his attention on food, it was not something he aspired to do and he never expected to cook for a living.
“After the death of my children’s mother, I took their diet (more) seriously,” Chef Aleem tells BE Modern Man. “I refused to raise them on fast food, processed foods, and junk. Eventually, I took cooking seriously as a whole and pursued it.”
For Chef Aleem, pursuing culinary arts meant acquiring the necessary knowledge to provide his clients with the best food experience possible. He realized that the combination of talent, hard work, mixed with education would separate him from the pack.
“Knowledge is power,” says Chef Aleem. “I’m always a student to my craft so reading and being current with culinary trends are important to me. Even if I don’t favor or conform to what I learn, being aware (of everything) is key. ”
Today, more and more people are turning to media outlets such as TV, social media, and YouTube videos for meal inspiration and tips. Even with the heightened exposure around the culinary arts industry, Chef Aleem still believes that men of color are not being championed enough in mainstream media.
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“Simply put, there are not enough blacks or any people of color at the forefront of any field or endeavor,” Chef Aleem tells BE Modern Man. “In the rare instances where people of color are praised, they’re presented as the exception instead of the exceptional.”
Chef Aleem’s mold is completely different, and being the exception within his industry has only fueled his passion. When people hear the word “chef,” the connotation is typically white, female, and clean cut.
“I’m none of that,” says Chef Aleem. “I like dark shades, fine cigars, and I’m covered in tattoos. But still I’ve been a restaurateur, graduated magnum cum laude, and traveled the world catering. I’m about being comfortable in my look and even more confident in my work. It speaks for itself! I do me and hopefully people that watch me, grow comfortable in being themselves too.”
A man of strong character, Chef Aleem is attacking the goals he wishes to accomplish with passion and pride.
“My virtual cookbook How It’s Done includes recipes, Q & As, cooking tips, and more and is a first of its kind,” says Chef Aleem.”
Taking his nonprofit a step further than cooking, Chef Aleem plans to incorporate health and wealth into the lives of our young men and women.
“I want to create an interactive environment where kids learn how to budget, shop properly, create menus, and expose them to the business of catering as well as other food-related occupations.”
When asked what makes him a BE Modern Man, Chef Aleems’ answer was direct.
“Everything. I am a modern man! I stay in my own lane. As a chef most of my peers don’t look like me or move like me and I appreciate that because it distinguishes me from the rest. From my appearance, even down to the way I present my cookbooks. I’m modern, I’m a man, I’m (Chef) Aleem.”
The BlackEnterprise.com team salutes Chef Aleem for breaking the traditional mold. From redefining the traditional cookbook, to being an inspiration to our youth, Chef Aleem is setting a new standard for the modern day chef. We look forward to seeing the growth of Chef Aleem and encourage everyone to try one of his recipes. Bon Appétit!
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