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Chef Jennifer Sebasigari she once dreamed of becoming a famous chef, but now she dreams of helping others realize their own dreams.
From becoming a chef to supporting immigrant and refugee causes with her SEBAS FoundationThe story of Sebasigari is one of transformation and empowerment.
Born in Burundi, East Africa, Sebasigari and her family were forced to flee to the Democratic Republic of the Congo after local unrest and war forced them to flee. They then moved to a refugee camp in Cameroon before landing safely in Austin, Texas in 2001.
After graduating from highschool in Texas, Sebasigari took her love of cooking and got down to develop into a famous chef. Initially inspired by TV chefs resembling Giada De LaurentiisSebasigari set out on a culinary journey fueled by dreams of fame and recognition. However, the reality of culinary school quickly challenged her expectations.
“After culinary school, I believed, ‘I’ll go work for Giada and develop into a big star chef. And I’ll buy all the magazines. I’m going to have my very own TV show.” he tells Restaurant Influencers host Shawn Walchef California BBQ Media in the new episode Restaurant influencers. “I signed the paper, went to school and realized, ‘Oh no, this isn’t going to happen.’ I had all these wonderful dreams, but I didn’t realize that you start as a prep cook and have to work your way up. Looking back, it was quite funny, but I persevered and graduated with honors. “
Although her dreams of being a famous chef were put on hold, Chef Sebasigari was capable of keep the pulse on social media and track its impact on the brand’s growth.
She immediately saw the power of storytelling in the culinary world. Now it helps restaurant owners authentically share their narratives on digital media and connect with consumers on a deeper level.
“Start publishing,” he advises people starting their businesses. “Tell us stories about your food. We want to be connected with your food. There is nothing better than eating something that matters.”
Helping refugees
Chef Jennifer Sebasigari’s lived experience has given her an understanding of the challenges facing underrepresented communities. He uses his influence through SEBAS Foundation and the annual Live Fire Feast, a fundraising event going down on June 20, 2024 in Houston.
“It’s something I’m very passionate about,” Sebasigari said. “We raise money for immigrants and refugees. Approximately 60 percent of our sponsors and all of our staff are companies working on behalf of immigrants and refugees.”
Chef Sebasigari’s heart to offer back turned into a short documentary titled: Table of Nationswhich is a part of a broader initiative to “raise special awareness of the refugees and immigrants who feed us and the nonprofit organizations that support them.”
“I’m so excited to share my story and connect with more people and share my story of resilience.”
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