Small Business Saturday, Featuring: Chef Arist Experience with Arist Bishop
For our Small Business Saturday feature today, we’re introducing you to a long-time friend and talented, experienced chef who also happens to be providing food for out Mama’s Night Out Event next week!
Without further ado, let us introduce you to Chef Arist Bishop who’s a Katy dad of three boys and after an impressive career in hospitality, has branched off with his own catering business, Chef Arist Experience.
Arist’s true gift in cooking allows you to be a guest at your own party and he’s even expanding into weekly family meals for pick up! Whether you need food for a big, fancy party, or just need a little help with weekly meals for your busy family, Chef Arist can help!
We got to sit down with Chef to learn more about his business, the inspiration behind his many impressive career ventures, and to find out if Dads ever get DAD GUILT!
Where are you from originally and how long have you lived in the Katy area?
Originally from Simonton/Fulshear area. Moved to Katy in 1995
You are a Dad, too! How old are your kids?
Yes, I have 3 boys.. Abel 3 Noah 6 Luke 14
How long had you been a chef?
I’ve been professionally a chef for 16 years, but I’ve always been in restaurants working before making it a career.
Give us a long story short version of your chef career?
My first internship turned into me running a local fine dining Italian restaurant. I started as just a prep cook, but moved quickly into taking over the Sous chef role. From there I went on to Hotel ZAZA in the Museum district, helping with the new property opening as the Sous Chef of the monarch restaurant. I left after 2 years and went to the private side and worked for a very wealthy family. During that 7 year period is when I started my own company doing cooking classes, mostly for bachelorette parties and girls night out. With the side business blooming, I took on a role as the Executive Chef and now Food and Beverage Director for the American Express lounges in 9 airports around the United States. I went on to rebrand my business to Chef Arist Experience, bringing a whole new experience to dinner parties, cooking classes and private gatherings.
Have you always had a love for cooking, when did that start for you?
Cooking has always been a big part of my life. Growing up in a Greek family where food is always around and watching my Grandfather cook the best food with the most simple ingredients.. My grandfather and his brother opened one of the First Greek restaurants in the Houston area called Athena’s. And, that’s where my passion stems from.
When did you decide to start Chef Arist Experience and what was the inspiration behind it?
I started noticing a trend when doing private gatherings and saw that there was a common idea that no one else was providing. I listened and now base my company around the experience I provide. It’s been a work in progress, we are learning and growing quickly.
Tell us what service you offer at Chef Arist Experience?
With Chef Arist Experience, our company motto is “Be a Guest At Your Own Party”. We are much more than catering company. I offer in home cooking classes. -Heavy appetizer parties -multiple course dinners -Family dinners to pick up – Whatever you need, we will create the Experience.
Do you have any culinary specialties or foods that are your favorite to cook?
Easiest way to answer this is that I just enjoy food. I don’t limit myself to one style. I have my days where all I can think about and cook is Asian food and next day I’m smoking a brisket.
Best advice for someone wanting to take the leap of faith into entrepreneurship or wanting to open their own business?
Definitely know that there will be bumps in the road. It’s easy to get discouraged at that point, but stay the course and trust the process.
Who inspires you most in business and who inspires you most in fatherhood?
I would say Gary V. He’s not a Chef, but he is very encouraging and has great talking points about owning your own business. In Fatherhood, I would say my dad. He worked two jobs and to this day I can’t think of a time where any of his work got in the way of being a great dad.
How do you balance being a business owner, husband, and Dad? \We are always talking to other moms in entrepreneurship or business about the dreaded “mom guilt” that comes along with working and being away from the kids more, do you experience “dad guilt”?
Yes of course, it always comes the next day. It’s hard to realize at the time, but I work on it daily.
Future plans for your business?
Just to continue to grow and give the best product I can give.
Any specials, sales, or deals our Katy Moms can look out for?
Absolutely, check out my social media for announcements soon. I’m looking to expand the in home cooking class offerings.
For more information on Chef Arist and to stay up to date, visit his website and social media pages!
Social Media: @chefaristexp (instagram/facebook)
Website: www.chefarist.com
