Meet Symone Swain | Chef, Entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Symone Swain and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Symone, maybe we can start at the very start – the idea – how did you come up with the idea for your business?
Fed by Grace idea came from me knowing that my purpose is so much bigger than me. So when I left for college in 2008 I was a social work major, fast forward to 2012 I found my way of helping people but through my food. So I embarked on a journey with Johnson and Wales Charlotte and came out with my Culinary Arts degree. I found my way of helping people, which was through my food. Life happened as it does sometimes shortly after that and Social Work went to the back burner and I went full speed into chef life. In 2021, I relocated to California and the homeless population brought social work and how I can help through my food back to my life. 2022 life returned me to the east coast but my mission was clear. Find a way to make people feel cared about again through your food, YOUR WAY. In that moment Fed by Grace was born.
Grace is not only my late grandmothers middle name but also is something I like to remind myself and others to do for themselves! Give yourself Grace!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
What most excites me about Fed by Grace is being given the opportunity to help others. I have always possessed a heart of service. The decision to serve others was an easy one for me, when it came to my longterm goals. I got to where I am today professionally with patience, persistence, and PRAYER. I still have so far to go with my business but I know that once I get there I will be completely unstoppable. The number one thing that I have learned along the way is not to allow time and where you think you are supposed to be to stop you or discourage you. NEVER GIVE UP ON YOURSELF. GIVE YOURSELF GRACE.
I want the world to know that good people still exist! Some of us just need our chance to shine.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I no longer live in SD but when I did, I LOVED going to Mission Beach. One thing I love about some beach locations in SD are the bonfire pits that are built. Sunset cliffs is another great location. Being a introvert, I took in any nature experience I could. I would log into my All trails app and pick a hike on my off days. One of states I’ve been in to hike.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I dedicate this Shoutout to my Mama ( grandmother) Hattie Grace Suttles. She passed when I was 15years old and every time I step in the kitchen I feel closer to her than ever. She deserves more than a little credit, if she was still here I would truly give her the world.

Website: https://merakifoodz.com/fed-by-grace

Youtube: https://youtu.be/nG_Ns70wle0

Image Credits
My feature photo is from a shoot with Khiry Blanks. @khiryblanks on Instagram