Catering to the Community

Cherece Stephenson, Northampton Community College (NCC) alum, grew up in Dominica, a lush island country in the Caribbean known as the Nature Island. Fresh fruits, vegetables, and seafood were plentiful, and food was a focus in her family’s household.  

“There was always a lot of food, and I just gravitated toward it,” she said. “I mostly learned from my mother, who passed along her passion for cooking and the arts.” 

By the time she was 18, Stephenson was cooking professionally in restaurants and bakeries in Dominica. Soon, however, she began looking at opportunities that would take her far from home. 

Her sister had moved to Bethlehem, and while exploring the area online, Stephenson discovered NCC. 

“I saw that Northampton was affordable and there was a culinary arts program,” she said. “I wanted to take advantage of that opportunity, and in 2018, I moved to Bethlehem.” 

Working in area restaurants to pay her way through college, Stephenson gained valuable experience while working toward a degree in culinary arts. She particularly enjoyed the training she received while working at Hampton Winds, NCC’s on-campus restaurant that’s run by culinary arts students under the guidance of professional chefs. 

“My whole college experience was really great,” Stephenson said. "Every day that I went to school I was excited and looking forward to what we’d be doing and learning. My instructors were super helpful in breaking down the curriculum and explaining things to us.” 

Exploring her options after graduating in 2020, Stephenson continued cooking at area establishments once they reopened following the pandemic, including on-campus restaurants at Lehigh University and the prestigious Wilbur Mansion in Bethlehem. In addition, she began offering catering and private dining experiences throughout the Lehigh Valley. 

“I found that I was passionate about getting to know people in a personal way while cooking for them,” Stephenson said. "You get to understand their palettes and what they like and don’t like.” 

Her private dinners and catering services were well received, and in 2021 she officially launched her business, Chefece Catering, LLC. Specializing in in-home, private dining services and catering, Stephenson also offers at-home meal preparation for customers who want gourmet meals without the work of making them. 

She took her business full-time earlier this year and is devoting her time to networking, expanding her client base, and, of course, cooking. 

Stephenson describes the food she prepares as a vibrant fusion of Caribbean and American flavors. She works carefully with customers to plan menus they and their guests will enjoy, incorporating flavors that are familiar with some unexpected twists. 

“I like to be inspired by different cultures when I cook,” she said. “I might make an oxtail ragu with Creole sauce or seafood fritters with aji verde sauce, but I also will cook a pan-seared ribeye steak or herb roasted chicken. It just depends on what my customers want.” 

Stephenson is looking forward to expanding her business as more people learn about it. Her customers are her best advertising, she said, and business is increasing. 

While she misses her home and family and Dominica, she stays in touch and visits often, enjoying cooking and eating the foods she grew up with while she’s home. Meanwhile, she’s looking ahead and expecting a bright future. 

“I love cooking for people and connecting with them over the food,” Stephenson said. “I’d also say that I’m very ambitious. There are a lot of things I want in life, and I plan to achieve them.”