Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Aric & Yukari Bianchi, Founders of U N I Personal Chef Services, located in Denver, CO, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We're a husband and wife team with multiple years of fine dining experience. We have a multi-cultural background, proudly based in and serving the Denver/Aurora & Metro Denver Area in Colorado. Our mission is to bring professional dining experiences to your table for you, your friends, and your family and make an unforgettable dinner on your special day.
Our Company's name 'U n' I' has a deeper meaning. We use "U" as "You" and "I" in English, so it's "YOU" and "I." But "YOU" means "Friend," and "I" means "Love" in Japanese as well, along with the Chinese Character '友' which is symbolized as 'Friend,' and "愛' which is symbolized as 'Love.' Personal Chef Services is still somewhat new to many people. We love our clients to have a fine dining experience with elegant, delicious, and thoughtful dishes without leaving their own homes. We will get to know our clients individually, create a unique menu just for them, we will go shop and hand pick the best quality food, prepare it for them, cook and serve, and clean the kitchen at the end of the party so that our clients and their guests can relax and enjoy each other without any worry or distractions. We have only one reservation for the night, and our focus is completely on them.
I was born and raised in Colorado, lived in Japan from age 14 to 20 years old, and my wife and I lived in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, for a little over two years. My mother was Polish, and my father was Italian. As you can see, all those aspects define my cooking style. I like to take dishes you know very well and reimagine them into something that is very recognizable but different - to a new level. I love world cuisine and specialize in blending different cultures into my dishes.
My cooking experience comes mostly from the professional restaurant world, as I studied with some of the best chefs in Colorado. Here I am to provide everything I know to you and your family. I'm so excited to serve you."
Tell us about yourself
My cooking experience started from my own home, of course, from my mother. I ventured into the professional restaurant world at age 12 as a pizza cook at my uncle's restaurant. From there, I went to a neighborhood restaurant in Denver, Colorado, and worked as a bus boy, dishwasher, and prep cook. Life took some funny turn, and I had an opportunity to live in Osaka, Japan, at the age of 14. That's when my food adventure really kicked in. I started to try new foods that I never thought I'd try and/or like… I didn't even know what those foods were!
It was not until I got back to Colorado at age 21, and got a job at Zenith Restaurant with Chef Kevin Taylor. Little did I know that food was going to be my passion. Kevin helped me mold my food style by taking recognizable food and making it more elegant. From there, I used restaurants as my culinary school and studied with some of the best chefs in Colorado. Then, as fortune will have it, I was working with Kevin again, and he recommended me as a personal chef to Mr. & Mrs. Frederick Hamilton, where I worked for two years.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
When we see everyone's smiling faces, enjoying their company and our dishes at private parties/events. Every happiness that we are able to bring to the table for them is our biggest accomplishment for us.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Having a balance between life & work and time management.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Find a network and a support system that are helpful, resourceful, and supports your business.
- Remember to Ask. "You will never get what you don't ask for."
- Trust yourself and the Universe. :)
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.unipersonalchef.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/unichefco
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unipersonalchefservices/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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