FAM EP. 32 Tova Sterling

Chef Tova Sterling: Culinary School Dropout to Instagram Sensation


Join us as we welcome Chef Tova Sterling, a renowned celebrity private chef with an unconventional path to success. Tova has cooked for the likes of Paul McCartney and J-Lo, hosted events at Soho House, and amassed over 125,000 Instagram followers with her deadpan Wednesday Adams approach to cooking content. In this episode, Tova dives into her journey from getting kicked out of culinary school, to building a career in private chefing for celebrities, to creating Sinners Shabbat—a unique event blending traditional Jewish dinners with burlesque and dance parties. Learn about her creative processes, the importance of authenticity, her experience with social media, and the entrepreneurial spirit that drives her. Don't miss this entertaining and insightful interview!

00:49 Tova's Unique Approach to Sponsorships
02:22 The Origins of Tova's Online Persona
05:27 Tova's Culinary Beginnings
09:04 From Culinary School to Rehab
13:13 Breaking into the Private Chef Industry
17:13 Cooking for Celebrities
19:04 Leaving Private Chefing for Flexibility
20:02 Breaking into the Celebrity Chef Scene
20:53 Navigating Industry Challenges and Gatekeepers
22:09 Entrepreneurial Strategies for Success
23:23 Creating Sinner Shabbat: A Unique Jewish Experience
27:35 From Events to Content Creation
31:54 The Importance of a Consistent Creative Practice
36:07 Advice for Aspiring Creators