Meet Harlie Kennerson | Self-taught Chef & Engineer
“You will come to know that what appears today to be a sacrifice will prove instead to be the greatest investment that you will ever make.”
-Gordon B. Hinckley
Harlie, your Humble Takeover is your story. Although one post could not tell your whole story, we are glad to highlight a few of your Great efforts. Tell the family where you started and how you got to where you are today.
I received my Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering at Southern University and my Master of Business Administration specializing in Project Management from Louisiana State University - Shreveport. I am currently employed with Entergy Nuclear at River Bend Station, working as a Mechanical Engineer. When I am not working as an engineer, I am either cooking, looking at recipes, or simply looking at pictures of food. This helps stimulate my creativity with cooking so that I can become the Chef that I aspire to be. I hope to become a private chef within the near future that offers private and small dining services, so that I can be completely creative.
Which chapter in your story inspired you to start cooking?
To begin with, I attended Louisiana State University majoring in Biology, with hopes of becoming a medical doctor. After two semesters, I transferred to Southern University and changed my major to Mechanical Engineering, simply because I was good at math. I had no idea what an engineer did, I just went with it and completed the program. I received a job offer from Entergy Services, LLC at the Nuclear Headquarters in Jackson, MS, and worked there for over a year. In July of 2020, I transferred to one of our plants in St. Francisville, Louisiana. Throughout my matriculation at Southern, I had no time to practice on my craft like I wanted to because I was so busy with school. Once I moved to Mississippi, I was able to live with no distractions, allowing me to cook and prepare dishes with ample amount of time on my hands. I have been cooking with my Mother in the kitchen ever since I was a young girl, and it became my passion. I did not realize it was my passion until I moved to Baton Rouge. I realized that I truly did not enjoy the food there, and there was no food like the 337, so I had to bring my talents with me!
What keeps you Humble through your success and failure in Life?
First and foremost without God, none of this would have been possible, Also, knowing that I will always be a student for life. There will always be room to grow, and there are things that I learn in my career as an engineer and as a self-taught cook everyday. There is a whole world of knowledge out there about food, and I know that I have a lot to learn. I am always willing to learn and grow, and that makes a lot of room for me to become successful.
What advice would you offer our family who is writing their own story?
If you are writing your own story, make sure that it’s YOUR story and no one else’s. Don’t get caught up in what is on social media, because all we see is the outcome, and not the hard work that was put into the outcome. Do not put a timestamp on your success, go your own route and don’t try to compete with anyone else. Be your own competition, and be willing to learn more.
Do you have any upcoming events or projects you would like to share?
I’ve got a few projects I’d like to have completed by the end of the year. I want to put out a recipe eBook and a line of signature sauces that I have created in my kitchen.
We’d love to hear more stories, can you suggest other persons writing their own story and Conquering the World?
Juwan Sims, @_jdsims
Halli Kennerson, @hallikenn
Kaleb Jennings, @_klvlj
Zana Harris, @baddie.zee
Aristide Williams, @chef.ariwms
Experience Her #HumbleTakeover at:
Website: harlieskitchen.com
Email: harlieskitchen@gmail.com
Instagram: @harliekennerson, @harlieskitchen
Facebook: Harlie Kennerson, Harlie’s Kitchen, LLC
Image Credit:
Chef photoshoot: @shabazzborn
Logo: @dapperdillon
Cooking video: @im_just_junior