Chef Cali – The Soul Behind the Flavor
Since 2018, Cali’s Kitchen has evolved from a small dream into a full-service culinary brand specializing in corporate and private catering, dinner pop-ups, and curated dining experiences. Chef Cali has built more than a food business—she’s created a movement centered on authentic, flavorful, and culturally inspired cuisine.
Looking ahead, Chef Cali is expanding Cali’s Kitchen into a coworking commissary kitchen and event space, providing a hub for other chefs, creators, and food lovers to grow and connect.
Her inspiration flows from her humble beginnings and her love of travel—but her purpose remains the same: to serve food that feeds both the soul and the culture.
Because if you’re looking for bougie dishes from a restaurant you can’t pronounce…
“This kitchen ain’t it. This kitchen is for the culture.”
Ashlee, affectionately known as Chef Cali, lives by the mantra:
“Hustle in silence and let success make the noise.”
Rooted in her Creole heritage, Ashlee grew up surrounded by the comforting aromas of gumbo, banana pudding, and her grandmother Juanita’s love for cooking. Born and raised in San Diego, CA, she found her passion early—spending hours in the kitchen by age 11, experimenting, tasting, and learning the unspoken language of soul food.
With no formal culinary training, Chef Cali proudly calls her style “International Soul Food.” Her dishes reflect a global spin on comfort classics—melding Creole flavors, Southern staples, and Caribbean flair. Each meal tells a story, blending culture, creativity, and community on one plate.
Ashlee, affectionately known as Chef Cali, lives by the mantra:
“Hustle in silence and let success make the noise.”
Rooted in her Creole heritage, Ashlee grew up surrounded by the comforting aromas of gumbo, banana pudding, and her grandmother Juanita’s love for cooking. Born and raised in San Diego, CA, she found her passion early—spending hours in the kitchen by age 11, experimenting, tasting, and learning the unspoken language of soul food.
With no formal culinary training, Chef Cali proudly calls her style “International Soul Food.” Her dishes reflect a global spin on comfort classics—melding Creole flavors, Southern staples, and Caribbean flair. Each meal tells a story, blending culture, creativity, and community on one plate.
Since 2018, Cali’s Kitchen has evolved from a small dream into a full-service culinary brand specializing in corporate and private catering, dinner pop-ups, and curated dining experiences. Chef Cali has built more than a food business—she’s created a movement centered on authentic, flavorful, and culturally inspired cuisine.
Looking ahead, Chef Cali is expanding Cali’s Kitchen into a coworking commissary kitchen and event space, providing a hub for other chefs, creators, and food lovers to grow and connect.
Her inspiration flows from her humble beginnings and her love of travel—but her purpose remains the same: to serve food that feeds both the soul and the culture.
Because if you’re looking for bougie dishes from a restaurant you can’t pronounce…
“This kitchen ain’t it. This kitchen is for the culture.”