our team
Executive Chef
Chef Felicia grady
Chef Felicia Grady is an award-winning Executive Chef, author, and culinary educator dedicated to inspiring creativity and excellence in every kitchen she touches. As the founder of Plate It Up! Catering and the Tasty Teen Collective Youth Culinary Camp, Chef Grady has built a reputation for delivering exceptional cuisine while empowering the next generation of young chefs through hands-on learning and mentorship.
A graduate of The Chef’s Academy, Chef Grady was named Chef of the Year (2022) by the American Culinary Federation and received the #1 Best Cookbook Award (2024) from the American Writing Awards for her celebrated cookbook It’s a Party in My Mouth, Let’s Eat!!!—a vibrant collection that showcases her passion for food, flavor, and community.
Chef Grady’s culinary excellence has been showcased on national stages, including the World Food Championships, where she proudly served as a Judge (2024) and returned as a Sous Chef Participant (2025). She also contributed her culinary expertise to the Ronald McDonald House Fundraiser, further exemplifying her commitment to using food as a vehicle for compassion and community impact.
In February 2025, Chef Grady earned Medicaid Home-Based Meal Certification through the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) and launched Chef Felicia’s Care and Share Healthy Meals, a community-based program providing nutritious home-delivered meals for seniors and individuals with disabilities. This certification underscores her mission to improve food access, health, and dignity throughout Indiana communities.
Beyond competition and service, Chef Grady serves as Secretary for the American Culinary Federation Board, and sits on the Advisory Boards for Arsenal Technical High Schooland Anderson High School, where she provides strategic guidance and mentorship for future culinary professionals.
Chef Grady is also known for her engaging live cooking demonstrations with organizations such as the Indianapolis Urban League, the Indiana Black Expo Health Fair, and Second Helpings. Her cooking show, Cooking Something Up with Chef Felicia, streams on the Pure Essence App, and her podcast, It’s a Party in My Mouth, connects audiences nationwide with her authentic, approachable, and flavor-forward style.
Through every venture, Chef Felicia Grady continues to advocate for food safety, community wellness, and youth empowerment. Her guiding principle remains: “Plate with purpose. Cook with passion.