Hi, I’m kathleen, kat, or chefleen!
I am a sunshine filled soul from Southern California, but now call New York City my home. I am a graduate of both UC Berkeley (Go Bears!) and Le Cordon Bleu. My free spirit, passion, and honesty guide me through the world. My love of all things food, people, and entertaining landed me in the kitchen. I wake up everyday thankful my career is fulfilling and delicious in the best possible way.
In my 12 year career I’ve had the pleasure of working for a long list of celebrity and high profile clients including, Will and Jada Smith, where I landed my namesake “Chefleen.” I like to call my style California casual and believe there should never be anything fussy about food. I’ve worked for America’s Test kitchen and Sur La Table as a chef instructor and love showing people how easy and fun it is to cook! Chefleen’s Virtual Kitchen began out of necessity due to the constraints of the pandemic (as my physical jobs disappeared), as a result I ended up connecting with so many beautiful souls around the world through food. I have cultivated community food centered events such as my RnB themed family style coursed dinner, Lovers & Friends..before Snoop Dogg’s festival. I also hosted an event to celebrate black businesses and black joy called Blackout the Park. I believe food is community and is the ultimate connector.
As a child I was always in awe of the happiness that surrounded the table at mealtime so it is an honor to be able to not only create but also lead people to feel confident in their own kitchen. When I’m not being an awesome chef you can find me being an even more awesome-r wife and mom to my most picky clients, my husband and sports agent, Chris Coy and boss baby Nola. I look forward to breaking bread with you soon.
career highlights
Clients & partners
Leaders Up
Karen Bass
Squire
Vanguard Sports
NS2
Peloton
Amazon BEN
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.
Jack and Jill
JLL
GONG
For the Love of Children
Ben's Chili Bowl
Stash
LH Fitness
Mocha Moms
Ollie
Ox Blue
Littler Group
Slack
Code for America
Heat Makes Sense