Carlashalinda Fears

Chef/owner, Khiss Catering; chef, The Deer and the Dove; both based in Decatur, Ga.

Why she’s one to watch

A former latchkey kid with a past penchant for cooking shows, Fears has quickly grown in her culinary career and has big plans for the future, including a dinner series and a brick-and-mortar operation.

Her culinary philosophy

“Food is necessary to live; GREAT food changes your life.”

One woman who has inspired her throughout the years

A trio of talented women provides Fears with the inspiration to excel. “The woman who inspired me first was Julia Child,” she reveals. “The woman [who] inspires my thinking of abundance and controlling my destiny for greatness is Oprah. The woman who every day showed me that ‘when the world says no to you, I'm going to teach you how to be self-sufficient' is my mother.”

Accolades

Featured on the Discover Atlanta series; served as a James Beard House mentee

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