Business & Tech
'The Diva Chef' Launches Post-Hell's Kitchen Career
Swissvale's Elise Wims is creating a name for herself across the nation with a new business that builds on her fame from the Fox reality show, 'Hell's Kitchen.'

is building on her reputation by launching a new business centered on her culinary skills and big personality—"The Diva Chef."
The reality TV star, who recently came in third place on the Fox channel’s food competition for chefs, is riding a wave of momentum that includes a national fan base, appearances across the country and a plethora of new ideas to shape her brand.
"The Diva Chef" likes to call herself a celebrity personal chef, who has worked for members of the Pittsburgh Steelers and hip hip groups. She also offers personal catering services to anyone who needs them.
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In the long-term—the graduate has her eye on gaining her own show.
“Hell’s Kitchen brought me to a whole new plateau,” Wims of said. “There’s no going back to my old life now.”
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Wims said she has a huge fan base and on Twitter, and someone started tweeting the Food Network and FOX broadcasting last week, asking, ‘Which one of you will be smart and give The Diva Chef her own show first?’
“If it wasn’t for Hell’s Kitchen, no one would know who I was,” Wims said.
In addition to building a catering business, Wims also just finished a book called, “From The Diva Chef With Love.” It will be self-published with a launch date to be announced in the next month or so. She also is starting a chef apparel line for women.
While she was widely known for her sassy antics on the show and for having a loud mouth, Wims is the first to note that she knows how lucky she is—and she is quick to give back. This Thanksgiving, she’ll be feeding the troops in North Carolina. In December, she is participating in a Gumbo Cookoff at the August Wilson Center, with proceeds going to Toys for Tots.
“I am a firm believer that if your heart is in the right place and you try to give back through service and community and use your talents to do good in the world, I feel the blessings will come your way,” Wims said.
She wants to be a role model for people in the food business—especially women—everywhere.
“I think it’s important because I wasn’t silver spoon fed,” Wims said. “I have worked for everything I have ever had and nothing was ever given to me. One thing young women need to know is don’t give up on your dreams—if one person shuts a window, don’t worry because God will open a door.”
For more information on The Diva Chef catering, e-mail Orlana@divamarketingmanagement.com.
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