Full Circle: Q&A with Chef Chanell
While placing fridges is our bread and butter, we're excited to announce a new initiative from The Love Fridge, Full Circle. Beginning in January, we began partnering with chefs and restaurants in our community to help stock our fridges with delicious and nourishing meals.
To kick this off, we’ve partnered with local chef Chanell Hale (@chefchanell). In December, Chef Chanell provided 60 meals for our fridges. Read our Q&A below.
If you’re able, please consider sponsoring the Full Circle initiative.
The Love Fridge: Where are you from?
Chef Chanell: The south side of Chicago. Englewood.
TLF: What inspired you to become a Chef?
Chef Chanell: Traveling and trying new food. I enjoy trying an authentically delicious dish and recreating it. Cooking was also a coping skill I developed when losing my brother to senseless gun violence.
TLF: What is your favorite meal/food to eat, and also to prepare?
Chef Chanell: Right now, my favorite meal to prepare is veggie tortilla soup!
TLF: What kind of foods are your specialty or how would you describe your cuisine?
Chef Chanell: My specialty comes down to the sauce! My cuisine can be described as fusion! I love fusing flavors and I enjoy preparing foods with a cajun flare.
TLF: What comes to mind when you think of Full Circle?
Chef Chanell: When I think of Full Circle, I think of proper, intentional alignment.
TLF: What do you think about the Full Circle Initiative?
Chef Chanell: I think the Fill Circle Initiative is an amazing community resource. I think it is beautiful in not only connecting the community to free and delicious food, but also in connecting chefs/restaurants to purpose.
TLF: What are you planning on making for Full Circle?
Chef Chanell: When preparing for Full Circle, I enjoy creating full course meals, with an entree and two sides. I love sharing variety, so everyone has something to enjoy. Like fish, chicken, and veggie item as main dish and diary free, veggie sides that everyone can enjoy!
TLF: What does food mean to you?
Chef Chanell: To me, food means love, soul, community, family, happiness, joy, a connection of souls.
TLF: What does community mean to you?
Chef Chanell: I would describe, community as individuals who come together for a greater purpose with the intention to support one another in our individual endeavors while coming together as a collective for the bigger picture. To me, community is a village.
TLF: How have you had to adjust your practice because of the pandemic?
Chef Chanell: Yes, I have had months of not working and instead volunteering and starting my initiative Feed the Kiddos Chi. I also have not been able to cater large parties, where I used to share my food with up to 350 guests at one event. I’m now sharing dinner with 2-6 guests, sometimes a few more for special occasions.
TLF: Are there any initiatives or programs we could link in this interview?
Chef Chanell: Feed the Kiddos Chi, check out this video:
Check out this mention of Feed the Kiddos on The Kelly Clarkson Show Facebook, plus this profile of Chef Chanell on Belt Magazine.
Find Chef Chanell Hale’s business, Dreamyvents Catering, online: