Ep. 23 | Denella Belin, Owner & Chef at Nella's Innovative Kreations

In Episode 23 we welcome Chef Denella Belin, Owner of Nella's Innovative Kreations in the Phoenix area. Nella's is a catering service that integrates Denella's Navajo heritage and professional culinary training. It also offers cooking classes and private dinners.

Chris and guest host Nicole Watson from The National Center's tourism team chatted with Denella about her career, including being the only Native American chef in her class at the famed Le Cordon Bleu culinary school. As she was ready to launch Nella's, Project DreamCatcher at ASU was instrumental in getting her business off the ground.

We hope you take a listen - and if you're in the Phoenix area, give Nella's a taste - and tell your friends!

Nella's Innovative Kreations |
https://nellasinnovativekreations.com/

Project DreamCatcher |
https://thunderbird.asu.edu/lifelong-learning/entrepreneurship/dream-catcher

Documentary "What Dreams May Come" | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5Ae8fNLFtI

Chapters

• 1:19 Intro
• 4:54 Meet Denella
• 5:43 Talkin' Food
• 10:07 Moms' Cooking
• 15:14 The only Native American at Le Cordon Bleu
• 17:50 Entering the Culinary Workforce
• 20:24 Perseverance
• 22:31 Culinary Arts
• 24:01 Blending Western and Native Food Traditions
• 28:56 Passing on Indigenous Food Knowledge
• 32:09 Going out on Your Own
• 33:23 Restaurant Industry During COVID
• 35:10 ASU's Dream Catcher Program
• 38:53 Reaching Your Peak and Starting Nella's Innovative Kreations
• 44:24 A Window into Food
• 47:22 What's Next
• 50:28 The Future of Food
• 52:31 A Strong Support System
• 57:29 Find out more