CHEF'S STORY

HOW IT ALL BEGAN

MEET THE CHEF

TAREEF KHAYRI MUHAMMAD

Ta'Reef Khayri Muhammad is a New Orleans native and the oldest of three. He is also a widow and full-time father of two. TKM graduated from Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts Orlando, Florida. He loves to travel, paint and spoil his family.

TIME-LINE

2005 - HURRICANE KATRINA (TOUGH LOVE)

Fifteen years ago, for "Reef", Katrina was like that mother that you never understood why she did the things she did. Maybe she kicked you out as soon as you made your 18th birthday. Maybe you wished for a different mother or life. Not until you realize that she not only forced you out of her house, but she forced you to find out what your purpose is in this lifetime. Gratitude can be given in all situations.

2010 - LE CORDON BLEU ORLANDO

2005 was the beginning of a major turning point in Chef Muhammad's journey. He had lost his home, his friends, his way of life as he knew it. Hurricane Katrina ran through New Orleans with no remorse. On the contrary, she gave him the life he is so proud to have. Forced out of his comfort zone, TaReef found solace in his love for the unparalleled cuisine from home. Although cooking has always been apart of his family, he went on to perfect his craft and learn how to prepare dishes from around the globe. His formal education was completed at Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Orlando, FL in 2011. Knife Skills was his favorite class and it definitely shows through how comfortable he is with a knife.

2016 - FLOODED AGAIN

After finishing school at Le Cordon Bleu, he began to work in the restaurant industry. Almost consistently he had been told that he was too experienced or they couldn't pay him what he deserved. He went back to waiting tables to make ends meet. In August of 2016, Louisiana begin to flood from constant down pour. He then decided that he was not gonna bring himself or his family through another Hurricane Katrina experience, so Ta'Reef moved his family to Colorado.

2020 - THIS IS IT...JUST THIS

Moving to Colorado was a very well thought out plan. Better school for the kids. Better pay (so he thought), and legal marijuana so people are generally happier. Working in the industry out in Colorado pays just about the same as it does in New Orleans, but the cost of living is two times that of New Orleans. There's no math. He went into the production/manufacturing industry to provide a life for his kids. It was paying the bills but he wasn't fulfilled. He quit the plant job after 3 yrs. He decided to drive Uber and Lyft and still have time to prepare beautifully, elevated food for his family and friends.

2022- LET'S TAKE IT BACK

Although Colorado was everything and the greatest experience ever, "Chef" is now back in his home state of Louisiana closer to his birth family and all the spicy and seasoned food he'd known all of his life. TKM has catered a few private events since coming back home and is now excited to step it up a notch in other big cities. Live streaming Kitchen Lituation has blown up and gained many followers that no one would have seen it coming. Go following Kitchen Lituation on the Bigo Live App.