The Tribune

By ALESHA CADET

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

KESHLAH Smith knew from the very beginning 20 years ago that becoming a chef was her calling.

A certified butler, yacht and private chef, Chef Smith made the transition to focusing more on being a healthy lifestyle chef three years ago. She said cooking food that is more natural and less processed also became the direction of her life and career.

Finding herself on a weight loss journey some years ago resulted in the launch of Chef Smith’s Healthy Concepts business at the Smooth Move Cafe at Jemi Wellness.

“I wanted to do something different and had many persons tell me I am crazy for doing it, and I was told that there is no market for that concept here. Little did they know I love challenges. I brained stormed, got advice from some persons in the health field and planned it out. It has now been 15 months and we are still open and getting bigger. When you have a dream you go for it,” she said.

Along with this, Chef Smith said it blossomed into the desire to become a mother to 17-month-old daughter, Katalayea. “She keeps mommy busy and the desire to eat better and live better is even greater than before,” said the chef.

She believes the benefits of health and wellness are wide ranging, saying more education is needed in that field because some Bahamians lack the understanding of what they are doing to their bodies when they make wrong food choices.

“Smooth Move Café offers freshly made products and items,” she said. “From our breads, sauces, dressing, we make in-house, we offer great tasting healthy foods at an affordable price. We also offer foods with various healthy benefits. From ginger tea to cinnamon breads to smoothies that clean out the body from toxins to those that recharge the body.”

Thankful for the positive feedback so far, Chef Smith said people are asking for a second location. Her goal is to see the business grow in 2017, opening a small retail store and also launch the café’s package meals and grocery items delivered to the customers’ door.

“We do a little of it now but we are about to expand it in the coming weeks. We have a whole organic line of meats and produce coming in as well with unbelievable low prices. Not to mention the fresh seafood we bring in weekly on ice. We are generally sold out every week,” she said.