I come from a family of artists and entertainers. My father was a Latin-Jazz percussionist; my uncle, Jazz icon Roy Ayers; my aunt, actress Annazette Chase; my godfather, Redd Foxx. So, it was only inevitable that I find my spotlight in the arts.
After graduating Fairfax High, I studied broadcasting at LACC. At 18, my cousin J.J. Johnson (MD/DJ at “1580-KDAY”) hired me to do voiceover for a Bobby Brown segment on radio show “Highlights” for $500. He also told me about an opening at a new music trade called The Urban Network (the 1988 sister publication to Album Network owned by Eli, Gary and Bruce Bird). I was the youngest female journalist there from its inception working under the tutelage of “Radio Doctor” Jerry Boulding & editor Joe Nazel. I tracked radio nationwide, interviewed recording artists & the elite of radio and records – from Klymaxx and BBD to Ray Harris (WB) and Miller London (Motown). As CD coordinator, I produced our new music compilation “Future Jams” which led to my creating the specifically targeted “Rap-ology” and “Quiet Storm” CDs. With camera in hand, I also covered parties, conventions and galas, snapping unique photos of artists and execs having good times for my page “Puttin’ On The Pix.”
After 7 years at UN, I held a 2-year stint at Chrysalis Music Publishing for LaRhonda Sutton’s new Black music division. But in my heart, I knew it was time to bring MY art to life in food! I attended evening classes at the boutique culinary school Epicurean School of Culinary Art and interned alternating evenings at actress Pamela Anderson’s Beverly Hills restaurant, “Sanctuary.” Post-Chrysalis, I packed my rolodex of music industry professionals, started Kai Chase Catering and the calls came rolling in! I have now been in the world of culinary arts for 21 years, whipping up the finest culinary creations from my repertoire of New American cuisine working for corporate heads, politicians and celebrities such as Kevin Hart, Barack Obama and Jamie Foxx. I was also private chef to music icon Michael Jackson. Look for cookbooks and cooking shows from me this year.
Visit us at chefkaichase.com and IG @chefkaichase.
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