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Chef Jennifer Sebasigari once dreamed of becoming a celebrity chef, but now she dreams of helping others achieve their own dreams.
From her career as a chef to her commitment to immigrant and refugee issues with her SEBAS Foundation, Sebasigari’s story is one of transformation and empowerment.
Born in the East African country of Burundi, Sebasigari was forced to flee with her family to the Democratic Republic of Congo after local unrest and war caused them to flee. They then moved to a refugee camp in Cameroon before landing safely in Austin, Texas in 2001.
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After high school in Texas, Sebasigari discovered her love for cooking and aspired to become a celebrity chef. Originally inspired by television chefs like Giada De Laurentiis, Sebasigari embarked on a culinary journey fueled by dreams of fame and recognition. However, the reality of culinary school quickly challenged her expectations.
“After culinary school, I thought, ‘I’m going to work for Giada and be this big celebrity chef. And I will get all the magazines. I’m going to have my own TV show,'” she tells Restaurant Influencers host Shawn Walchef of Cali BBQ Media in the new episode of Restaurant influencer. “I signed the paper, started school and realized, ‘Oh no, that’s not going to happen.’ I had all these glamorous dreams, but I didn’t realize that you start as a prep cook and then have to work your way up. Looking back, it was pretty funny, but I stuck with it and graduated with honors. “
Even though her dream of becoming a celebrity chef was put on hold, Chef Sebasigari managed to stay ahead of the curve on social media and its impact on a brand’s growth.
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She immediately recognized the power of storytelling in the culinary world. Now she works to help restaurant owners authentically share their stories using digital media and connect with consumers on a deeper level.
“Start by posting,” she advises beginners. “Tell us stories about your food. We want to be connected to your food. There’s nothing better than when you eat something that has meaning.”
Help for refugees
Chef Jennifer Sebasigari’s life experiences have given her an understanding of the challenges faced by underrepresented communities. She leverages her influence through the SEBAS Foundation and the annual Live Fire Feast – a fundraising event to be held on June 20, 2024 in Houston.
“This is something that is very close to my heart,” Sebasigari said. “We raise money for immigrants and refugees. About 60 percent of our sponsors and all of the people we hire are from immigrant and refugee businesses.”
Chef Sebasigari’s heart for giving back has expanded into a short film documentary titled: Table of Nationswhich is part of a larger initiative to “raise special awareness of the refugees and immigrants who feed us and the nonprofits that support them.”
“I’m so excited to just share my story, connect with more people and share the story of resilience.”
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