Dining With Grace- NYC's #1 African Catering Service
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Chef Grace Odogbili

Words are sweet, but they never take the place of food.

~Igbo Proverb

Born in Brooklyn, NY , youngest in a tight family of 5, Chef Grace can say she was inspired by 2 things: the warm, soulful, and spicy flavors of the cuisine of her parent’s native land of Nigeria and her family’s church.

One connected her to her culture and the other connected her to her faith- the two most important things in her life and the building block for Dining With Grace.  As the youngest in a busy entrepreneurial working family, Chef Grace often assisted her mother in preparing traditional dishes and even introduced her family to new “American” dishes.   The Nigerian culture around food became one of her many entry points into developing a passion for discovery of her culture.

As a child, Chef Grace would assist her family’s small Brooklyn-based church in preparing dinners for the homeless, drug-addicted and sheltered in her community.  Although the church was quite small and the operation stayed quite humble, many people were fed and looked forward to the occasion, where they would be served a variety of dishes inclusive of modest cultural favorites, punch (with fruit cocktail!!), and strawberry cake.  There would always also be upbeat music (and often some dancing)! From a young age it was a loving memory of the effect of food being created and served with love.   It was because of this experience that a quiet seed was planted on the idea of becoming a Chef.

Years later, Chef Grace finished college with a degree in Economics and Political Science and entered the workforce in the Financial Services sector, forgetting the dreams of childhood.  A wonderfully perfect 25th birthday gift changed that.   Her older sister, Gloria, purchased her a Certificate Program at The French Culinary Institute.  This reignited an old flame and Chef Grace immersed herself in her passion for cooking.   As fate would have it, soon after, Grace was laid off from her Financial Services job after a huge reorganization of the bank.  Dining With Grace was born the following year in 2010, where Chef Grace is the Owner & Chef, working with a team of service professionals to add her signature touch to special events.

Since the launch of Dining With Grace,  Chef Grace has continued to study and explore the fields of culinary arts, nutrition, and African Studies and has worked with top-rated NYC caterers, restaurants, bakeries, and community organizations.  She has taught Nutritional Culinary Arts workshops in several  Brooklyn Public Schools & city programs- introducing children and under-served communities to diverse health and nutrition concepts in food.

She has catered events for various clients such as Lane Bryant, KPMG, Dow Jones, Facebook, Moët Hennessy, the NYPD and more, as well as weddings and special celebrations for diverse (and discerning!) private clients, catering for crowds up to 700.

She has been featured on the Cooking Channel with Sherri Shepherd and various news programs including WPIX 11 and Arise 360 Entertainment.   She is the Founder of The African Table, a (currently paused) monthly pop-up dining series featuring regional cuisines & cultures of the African Diaspora in various art galleries and locations in NYC.  Through this project, she also engages her passion for food, culture and travel by hosting international culinary trips, The African Table: Epicurean Excursions.  In 2016, Saveur Magazine named Chef Grace Odogbili, NY’s Culinary Ambassador of Pan-African Cuisine!

The work she is most excited about is the Dining With Grace Banquet; a vision she had written since 2005 to create an annual elegant and nurturing dining event for homeless families in NYC, which had its inaugural event in August 2015.

For more information or to have Chef Grace cater your event, host a dinner, organize an outreach event, speak on African cuisine, nutrition or entrepreneurship please do contact us at 347-770-2844 or by email.

 

Thank you & God bless you!

May all grace abound towards you.

 

 

 

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    Dining With Grace | Chef Grace Odogbili 🇳🇬
    Now this is a feast we can get behind. True Afric Now this is a feast we can get behind.  True African hospitality by @ticokitchen! 🤤😍

Which dishes would you love to enjoy at your dream Pan-African wedding? 

Let us curate your perfect menu for your once in a lifetime celebration! 

DM or Contact us! www.diningwithgrace.com/contact-us/

#representationmatters #hospitality #african #wedding #catering #newyork #newjersey #connecticut #pennsylvania 
#luxuryweddings #diningwithgrace 

Posted @withregram • @ticokitchen 🙌🏽🙏🏼
    Happppy Sunday! Enjoy this beautiful day & BE ENC Happppy Sunday!  Enjoy this beautiful day & BE ENCOURAGED! 😉🙌🏾💚💚

Don’t disrespect my solo song.  It is real reggae. 😎

PS- A little about me- I luh God and I’m a PK so I prob always gotta solo & some encouragement in my heart.  With some humor of course. 
Should I share them or keep my chords in check? 

(Another fun fact: I love comedy.  If I wanted to play myself I would actually try a stand-up segment as like a bucket list item 😅)

Have an amazing week ahead! 

“But continually encourage one another every day, as long as it is called “Today” [and there is an opportunity], so that none of you will be hardened [into settled rebellion] by the deceitfulness of sin [its cleverness, delusive glamour, and sophistication].”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭3:13‬ ‭AMP‬‬
    The Entrepreneur’s Maintenance Prayer inspired b The Entrepreneur’s Maintenance Prayer inspired by the Entrepreneurial Silky, @diddy.  Uncle is always working and glowing, glowing and working. 

PSA: My pricing strategy includes self care.  Self-care in the form of hiring the team to assist with executing the vision.  Hiring support staff- cleaners, drivers, assistants, prep cooks as needed.  I’ve done it other ways before…doing all I can to pass along savings to my client and working too many roles to hold on to meager “profit”. I wasn’t saving myself though.  I’m gonna call it a phase because thank God I’m still here to tell the story.  No self-love or preservation or sustainable growth was in that strategy.  It was necessary Education, though…some call it “the hustle” 🤕😅. Include self-care in your process so you can joyfully continue.  We are trying to stay pretty, yes? 😍🥰

Furthermore, I don’t like cheap food (quality)so how can I offer it?  The wrong kind of customer can make you who you don’t want to be but YOU have to insist on doing it your way and know your people will come and will truly support you.  Wellness abounds for us all.  Godspeed, Supporters & Creators 💚. May we serve *each other* well. 
💫💫💫
    Wishing my Momma a very wonderful Mother’s Day! Wishing my Momma a very wonderful Mother’s Day!  She is one of one, incomparable.  I’m thankful for how she always has a listening ear, enriching advice and a ready prayer- the things I’ve learned to cherish the most as I’ve grown.  Ooooohhhh and she is maker of my favorite ogbono and okra soup, egusi soup and moi-moi! 🥰🥰

Wishing all mamas and nurturers a wonderful Mother’s Day.  May God continue to give you strength and love for the task.  Be celebrated, always!

A huge shout out to my lovely sis in law who grew my tribe of nieces and nephews!! I am a rich *Auntie* 😎
    I can be so possessive. 😎 Lovely people..Imagin I can be so possessive. 😎
Lovely people..Imagine God loves you the way I love green.  He’s so possessive and smiles every time He sees you.  He’s also like looking at people sideways who try to claim you like He don’t already got you.  He always got something to say.  He’s all 🥰🥰🥰. 😂😂😂

Wishing you a wonderful Sunday & A peaceful start to the week.  Enjoy this gift of life.  I am here to help you celebrate and see goodness in the gift we have. 

Love you & Happy May! 

“See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are!”
‭‭1 John‬ ‭3:1‬a NLT‬‬

Ohhh…my lovely GREEN & GOLD earrings by @adornnewyork 💚🥰

#goodvibes #celebratelife #celebratelove #queengreen 
#chefgraceodogbili #blessedlife
    Gratitude is powerful. In this space, there is no Gratitude is powerful.  In this space, there is no lack. 

Wishing you all an amazing week! 

I’m just looking forward and **seeing** it. 

“For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭43:19‬ ‭NLT‬‬ https://bible.com/bible/116/isa.43.19.NLT

#mondaymotivation #youversion #vision #entrepreneur #women #businesslife #believer 
#chefgraceodogbili #hospitality 
#journey #travel #gratitude #mexicocity
    The art of celebration is never underrated💫💫 The art of celebration is never underrated💫💫💫

Our special sauce is understanding and reflecting your special sauce: your unique cultural story reflected in fine food. 

🌟In love with authentic hospitality.🌟

Our lovely couple’s wedding was the truest vibe 😍😍 

#brooklyn #rooftop #diningwithgrace #panafrican
#wedding

Posted @withregram • @caratsandcake When the threat of "April showers" produces one of the chicest photo ops we've ever seen! For their rooftop celebration in #Brooklyn, this stylish duo went fashion-first for their day of looks. You have to see every outfit change by clicking the link in our bio. #caratsandcake 
📷: @weddingsbynato 
📋: @dawnmauberret 
📍: @brooklyngrange with rentals by @partyrentalltd & @bigdawgpartyrentals 
👰‍♀️: @imadeduso_ & @harleenkaur.us 
🤵‍♂️: @atafo.official 
🍰: @clementinebakery 
🍽: @diningwithgrace 
💌: Shanthony
💄: @sabineshallway & @makeupbymeganj 
🎤: @bouncecastle
    ‼️PRE-ORDER your Deluxe Carrot Cake today and ‼️PRE-ORDER your Deluxe Carrot Cake today  and pick up this Friday or Saturday at our Brooklyn pickup location‼️ 676 Nostrand Ave, Open by appointment/ from 1-7 PM. 

I promise it will be a Good & Perfect addition to your holiday meal!! 

ORDER ONLINE NOW! 👩🏾‍💻
OR DM me 🥕😉😉😉
BLISS, LATER! 🥰🥰

gracescarrotcake.com

Wishing you all a blessed and Happy Easter!!! 
💚💚💚

New website coming soon 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾⏰

#gracescarrotcake #carrotcake #springtime #carrots #baked #treats #dessert #blackownedbusiness #thankyou #love #brooklyn #crownheights
    Interested in our world of catering? Looking to pl Interested in our world of catering? Looking to plan catering for your wedding or special event?  Here’s a  list of 5 Things Your Favorite Caterer 🤩👋🏾 Needs You to Know. 

What are your thoughts?

Did you realize the expenses associated with catering? 

What is most important to you when selecting a caterer for your special event? 

Btw, if I wasn’t trying to be the best at *MY* craft I would’ve quit.  Thusly, we outchea.  Call me 🥰

Chef Grace Odogbili

#diningwithgrace #caterer #weddingpro #chef #weddingmenu #professional #brooklyn #bestoftheday #munaluchi #newyorkweddings #newjerseywedding #texaswedding #californialove #globalcatering #nourish #diningwithgrace #chefgraceodogbili #better #brooklynbride #brides #eventplanner #weddingplanner #luxuryweddings #destinationwedding #weddingcatering #africanwedding #cuisine #thankyou #corporateevents #gala
    Yes. We know. It feels like a really great day f Yes.  We know.  It feels like a really great day for a nice decadent slice of Grace’s Carrot Cake! 

Place your order early for your Easter celebrations and gifts!  Need it before then?  Our next shipping date is March 30th.  DM to place order or visit @gracescarrotcake 

What’s your favorite cake? 
🤩🥕🤩🥕🤩🥕🤩🥕🤩🥕

#bestcarrotcake #brooklyn #gracescarrotcake #celebratelife #ontime #goodandperfect #giftideas #favorite #madeinbrooklyn #orderonline #blessed #cb2 #goldenlife #enterprise
    I will never regret this journey. Keep moving up I will never regret this journey. 

Keep moving up.  With the breath of life, we have every opportunity to be better than ever before.  You have everything you need.  Stay blessed, stay excited, stay engaged to things that expand you, not diminish or depress you.  Create something and share it.  Do what’s necessary for the “alive” vibe. 

Sending you love for the journey. 💚💚💚

#inspired #createcommune #thejourney #sayyes #growth #mentorship #tenacity #resilient #firedup #sharedlife #cheflife #communitybuilder #entrepreneurship #purpose #healing
    Happy International Women’s Day!! I am gratefu Happy International Women’s Day!! 

I am grateful for all the women that have inspired me throughout the years.  Women who are bold and kind, thusly beautiful.  Women who own their unique space, fitting into no mold other than the one God-given to them.  Women who walk in courage toward their dreams- fanfare, optional.  Women who aren’t afraid to stumble imperfectly *ahead* in pursuit of vision, confident in divine alignment and that success will come.  Women who search for authenticity and depth in life. Women who speak their truth with grace.  Women who feel. 

Women in faith.  Women in hospitality.  Women in business.  Women of color.  Global Sisters.  Supporters.  Guides.  Lifters.  Friends.  Thank God for women.  We are blessed and highly favored!! 

May we continue to be fruitful in good work! 
💚💚💚

#internationalwomensday #chefgraceodogbili #womeninhospitality #dreamer #blacklove #entrepreneurlife #goldenlife #blessed #jesuslovesyou #cheflife #diningwithgrace #shebelieved 
#goodnews #seasons
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    © 2015 Dining With Grace - Styled by Lisa @ Artful Prose