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A tlanta has done it again. Known for producing some of the world’s most successful entertainers, it is only right that fine cuisine stem from there as well. Dark shades, tattoos and a fine cigar in his mouth, one would look at this man and question, how does his cooking techniques really pan out? As the old saying goes, you must never judge a book by its cover. Chef Aleem is no rookie to the game of culinary. A magnum cum laude graduate of, Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts of Atlanta, with his dedication to the industry, Chef Aleem has provided over a decade worth of service and has catered to numerous star studded clientele such as Akon, Ludacris, Kandi Burruss, Pink, Kanye West, Big Sean, DeVyne Stephens, major music executives, and the list goes on.

Chef Aleem: The Real Rapper’s Delight
By Kitty Irene
C hef Aleem has trained at some of the top fine dining restaurants in the country, ran one of the most popular restaurants in Atlanta, Crave Bistro, and let’s not forget to mention he is currently personal and tour chef to the Grammy Nominated rap sensation, 2Chainz. When asked his motivation behind his art he simple proclaims, “Besides being inspired by some of the best in the culinary profession, being a single father of three is one of the things that forced my hand to perfect my craft of cooking. I had to, for them, because I refused to raise my children on fast food and junk.”
O wning a restaurant down the street from a music studio, the restaurateur stayed busy with hungry artist that would stop by after a grueling night session. That benefit was how the restaurateur was introduced to 2Chainz, “He would stop in after a studio session and over time we just became acquainted; he was one of the regulars. I used to joke with him like when you get big Imma be out there with you man.” Aleem said during our interview. “So when he started blowing up he called and said lets go, so I was like let’s work out a good deal and let’s do it. We went on a couple of weekend tour dates and it worked out pretty good so here we are going on our second year of doing this at his personal home and on tour.”
A leem admits that his look goes against the norm of what many see when they hear of an executive chef. A caramel skin toned man, standing over a hot scorching stove rocking a pair of dark shades, tattoos, and a cigar is not what normally comes to mind. Aleem understanding the norms against him felt it was only just to start a non-profit organization called Cool Kids Cook. The organization works with kids all across Atlanta to teach the fine and honorable art of cooking. It’s not just a cooking class but a lifestyle, that teaches young people about employment, education, nutrition, entrepreneurship, and how it all intertwines to manifest a successful career. A message that has reached to the White House, with First Lady Michelle Obama’s, Let’s Move, America’s Move to Raise a Healthier Generation of Kids campaign. Chef Aleem has made it his personal mission to join forces with the Obama administration to change the way our children interact with nutrition and the culinary arts.
“I just wanted culinary to be an option for young people before it becomes an all that’s left to do kind of thing. Because then you approach it as an all an that’s left to do kind of thing and you become the grind cooks or the stew boys in the kitchens instead of the leaders of the kitchen. That starts at a young age when you need that motivation.”
2014 promises to be a jammed packed year for the rising star as he and his team prepare to launch some major projects that are sure to turn heads and separate him from the traditional celebrity chef. “In life when something is your calling you can’t ignore it. This is my calling to introduce the world to an art form from my point of view. So ya’ll get ready because we’ve taking flight and the trip is going to be a long and exciting one, I can guarantee that!”

Gain more Chef Aleem access and celebrity insiders on Twitter @_KitchenKing and @Chef_Aleem on Instagram. You can also check out his latest project “Well Done.” on YouTube Click the Link and enjoy!

E2W magazine recently had the pleasure of chopping it up with NYC stylist-Olympia Shakespeare. From jump, you can look at this lady and see that she must work in the fashion industry. She is often asked by strangers, “what do you do?” everytime she hits the scene. Olympia is always changing and creates her own trends. She has a variety of clients who couldn’t be more different- a video director one day, a business man who just needs help getting styled for a work event the next day! She will always make sure you are appropriately dressed for the occasion at hand, but with a twist of course.

Olympia has swag spilling over and is ready to “brand” the audience for the summer, particularly the ladies, so get the pen and pad ready for notes that are worth a milli!

E2W: HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A STYLIST?

OLYMPIA: I have been a stylist for 10 years now.

E2W: CAN YOU NAME SOME PEOPLE/PROJECTS YOU WERE INVOLVED WITH?

OLYMPIA: I’ve worked heavily with a Canadian aritst named Kalia. I have also worked on the set of MTV’s “Friend Zone.” I appeared on the show as well with my friend and styled both of us for our segment.

E2W: WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON NOW?

OLYMPIA: Well I’m working on getting on television perhaps a reality show. TV in general would be fine.. as a stylist or an actress.

E2W: WHO WOULD BE YOUR DREAM CLIENT?

OLYMPIA: My dream client would be anyone who allowed me to style them in a public forum. Like the Oscars, Grammy,Espy, Country Music Awards,etc.. But if I had to choose it would be  Estelle and Fantasia.

E2W: WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU CAN GIVE TO AN ASPIRING STYLIST?

OLYMPIA: The best advice I could give is to hustle hard, do lots of internships, work for free sometimes,get your name and business out in the industry.

E2W: WHAT ARE A FEW ITEMS EVERY WOMAN SHOULD HAVE TO COMPLETE THEIR CLOSETS?

OLYMPIA: A woman must have the right undergarments so her outer layer of clothing fits well. And ladies please know your size. Also a bad ass pump. You can achieve any goal with a fierce pump!

E2W: WHAT ARE SOME ITEMS THAT WE CAN BARGAIN WITH AND ALSO WHAT ARE THE THINGS WE SHOULD ALWAYS PAY TOP DOLLAR FOR?

OLMYMPIA: Sometimes you can be frivolous with purchasing clothing from like vintage stores but you have to make sure you accessorize it well and put on a pump!! Heels you should spend money on and your undergarments. Everything else you can play by air.

E2W: WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND GREAT ADVICE- WHERE CAN PEOPLE FIND YOU?

OLYMPIA: People can find me on twitter @honess or on Instagram @blackglam I also have a blog called blackglamgods.

We bring to you Tela James the corner stone of the Southern pioneers of Hip Hop/ Rap. The Southern Legend, Tela is one of the infamous trailblazers who lit and paved the way for all the South Hip Hop/ Rap artists to follow. He created the blue print, which fashioned the beginning of the Hip Hop culture in the South. His first album in 1996 went gold under Suave House Records/Tony Draper, CEO. This was around the same time that artists like Scarface of The Ghetto Boys and No Limit came on the rap scene. This era was also known as the “Rap-A-Lot Movement.”