Thought for Food Q&A: Chef Deji Oduwole

4. Let’s pivot to your current career as a chef – how did that come about? What has helped you in your transition?

I’ve always wanted to become a chef, those close to me always knew my direction. The transition was surprisingly easy and swift. With football there’s always been a hierarchical system. Going down from the owner, President, GM, Coach and so on and so forth. That is basically the same as the kitchen, you have your owner, Executive Chef, Executive Sous Chef and so on. Knowing that there is structure is something that I like, and knowing that I can shake up the structures is something that I love!

5. As a former athlete, nutrition is absolutely important. How much of that informs your own cooking philosophy?

To be completely honest it doesn’t play a part in my cooking really. From a nutritional stand point the only points I truly believe in/preach is portion control. You can enjoy some of the richest and fattiest foods, you just need to know that you can’t have pounds and pounds of them.

6. You were also featured on the Food Network show Beat Bobby Flay, and made it to the main stage to square off against a well-known celebrity chef. How do you prepare for something like that? In general, where do you get inspiration?

You can’t necessarily prepare for something like that you just have to trust in your abilities and trusts in the chefs you’ve worked under. Speaking of which I must thank my former executive chef Brooke McDougal from ByMark restaurant. I had to steal one of the components he taught me years earlier on the show! From an artist stand point I don’t believe you can ever draw inspiration from just one thing. It can go from finding inspiration walking down the street to finding inspiration from crunching numbers when costing out a menu. The world is truly my inspiration.

7. Being a chef and running your own business can be incredibly stressful. How do you deal with the stress?

I simply thank God than in able to have something that not only stresses me but also gives me copious amounts of joy. And it doesn’t hurt that I have the most supportive and amazing family that anyone could ever ask for.