THE JOURNEY
Chef/Owner
Chef Elena Lundy’s love for food started at a young age mainly influenced by her southern roots and Puerto Rican heritage. Her style of cooking can be described as a beautiful marriage of Hispanic and Caribbean flavors with a charming southern flare. Born in Georgia, Chef Elena spent her adolescent years growing up in Fort Valley and embracing the true essence of southern cooking. By her young adult years, she moved to Brooklyn NY to expand her culinary knowledge through the diverse cultures and cuisines of New York City. It was there that Chef Elena knew that one day, she would be able to share her personal passion in a creative way. By the early 2010’s, Chef Elena solidified her career path and “hit the ground running” in a quest to make her dreams of owning her own restaurant a reality. She enrolled at Johnson and Wales University (Charlotte, NC) where she received her associate degree in culinary arts and her bachelor’s degree in Business Entrepreneurship. From there, Chef Elena combined her experiences and formal training to start EML Catering Company and BBWC (Beautiful Black Women Chefs). In addition to this, she has participated in an array of culinary competitions, including Soul Food Sessions, S&D’s, Showmars, and Girls on the Run. Her exposure has given her the privilege of working alongside notable chefs, such as Chef Gregory Collier (Yoke), Chef Steven Green (Umstand Hotel) Chef Jamie Barns and Gregory Williams of Whatthefries. Chef Elena continues to expand her professional experiences and envisions breaking barriers in the culinary industry she has been cooking professional for 8 years.
