71ate Chef
Shani Porter, a native 'Brooklynite', studied art beginning in middle school and continued at LaGuardia HS of Music & Art majoring in Fine Arts.
She graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management from St. John's University. Upon her graduation, Shani Porter continued to work for a successful jewelry line in the Employee Relations department. Within a few short months, she began questioning her career path and searching for ways to pursue her lifelong passion for cooking.
Internalizing the age-old saying, "the proof is in the pudding", Shani traded her business suit for a chef's coat. She enrolled in the Culinary Arts program at The Institute of Culinary Education, where she perfected her natural talents. Shani graduated at the top of her culinary class and landed an externship at the elite Abigail Kirsch in New York City. She continued to build her resume with several more impressive boutique companies, including a long-term position as Sous-Chef for Celebrity Chef Vanessa Cantave.
Shani's love for food stems from New York City's eccentric culture; saturated with differing ethnic backgrounds and the mouth-watering native dishes that accompany them. Infinitely inspired, it's no surprise that with every new creation, guests take away a better understanding of what Shani stands for. Her culinary flair embodies her passion and love for food while incorporating her eclectic style.
In addition to fulfilling her ardor for meticulously made cuisine, Shani currently works for a non-profit organization, Wellness in the Schools, as a WITS Chef Liaison. She has placed herself on the front lines to combat childhood obesity and to promote healthy eating within the school and the community. Shani accomplishes this by educating students and their families on the importance of eating whole, unprocessed foods, and engaging them in workshops that provide steps on how to prepare fresh meals from scratch.
"Food is an integral part of society: bringing people together, sparking new emotions, all while providing nutritional value." With this in mind, Shani Porter has developed and followed a food mantra that is to keep food simple, yet seasonal, wonderfully satisfying, and visually captivating.