W(o)W: Celeste Gill, The Chef Who Does It All
Chef Celeste Gill has earned a spot at the top of the culinary world, always having multiple hustles. She does it all: from catering to television to her own line of seasonings to owning multiple restaurants, one being right here in the heart of Baton Rouge!
To keep grounded in the restless culinary world, Gill begins her day humbly by taking care of her English bulldog, Man2. Then she’s off on location check- in’s at Chef Celeste Bistro Neuromedical, Council on Aging and Southside Gardens to ensure the quality of food and staff are both thriving and guests are thoroughly enjoying their experience.
On Thursday and Friday, she devotes her time to teaching at ServSafe, an institute producing restaurant certification and food handling knowledge, and the culinary program inside Parish Prison.
Gill is a woman on the go. She even goes on Saturdays to the farmer’s market and flips an omelet or two. She truly loves cooking and what it does for her community. She attributed her ability to be everywhere at once to her team and how awesome they are in keeping her afloat.
Her most recent hustle has been working on a cookbook, so keep an eye out to get a taste of Chef Celeste’s recipes right in your own kitchen!
Chef Celeste’s advice to women: “Step out of your comfort zone and follow your dreams. Push past the fear.”
Gill gets the strength to have such a busy schedule and life from her late mother and grandmother. They have taught her her “work ethics, enthusiasm and fearlessness in business”. Her fearlessness can also be credited to her time in the military, as the training has instilled discipline and bravery in her. Aside from her maternal figures, Leah Chase and Julia Childs impacted Gill’s life by forging a path for young women after them in the culinary world.
As a successful woman, Gill always seems to strive for more. She’s accomplished so much already: being the first female chef hired at a treatment facility in Hawaii, mentoring local young women and men across the South, winning and placing in prestigious cooking competitions in Baton Rouge, and becoming a public speaker and educator (to name a few).
In addition to these, Chef Celeste accomplished her childhood dreams of cooking on television. Not only did she achieve this honor, but she is now a known TV personality and chef in Louisiana! But her biggest accomplishment of all, she said, is the ability to stay true to herself and live life on her terms.
“My life motto is: My place is where I choose to be.”
As she continues her career, Gill keeps her faith, family, love, food and art near her heart and as her top priority. “Notice I didn’t say money,” she said. “Do what you love and the money will come.”
Chef Celeste envisions a brighter future for the world and Baton Rouge. She hopes for a world that is less prejudiced and creates unity, for women especially. She also stands behind the “each one teach one” principle, an African proverb detailing basically the idea that if you can read, you can teach another person to read. “This would solve a multitude of society’s problems,” Gill said.
At PPG, we love to see inclusivity and equity being spread in the pursuit of creating a better and more understanding community! Celeste Gill does this with ease as she takes on the world of culinary professionals, creating a name and brand for herself in the process!
To support Gill’s culinary endeavors, try her organic, heart-healthy seasonings or make her recipes in your own kitchen with these recipes!
Keep up with Chef Celeste Gill on her socials!
@chefcelestegill
@520spain
@chefcelestebistro
