Tanorria is a chef\, podcast host and cook book author. Her credentials are simple: she comes from the &ldquo\;Culina ry Institute of Her Parents &\; Grandparents.&rdquo\; Born in Chattanoo ga\, Tn.\, and raised in Indianapolis\, Tanorria traveled often to be with loved ones. Growing up there was always entertaining and cooking\, sharin g and telling stories along the way. She got to witness\, firsthand\, how food can build tradition and show love\, compassion\, unity\, and fun.
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Tanorria spent 15 years at Teachers Credit Union (TCU) before l
eaving to follow her culinary dreams. While at TCU Tanorria was the champi
on and practitioner for the institution&rsquo\;s Diversity\, Equity and In
clusion (DEI) Initiative\, leading the charge in winning the Indianapolis
Mayor&rsquo\;s Celebration of Diversity Award. She blended her passions fo
r cooking and DEI to create Unity Tables\, a safe space for women of diffe
rent races\, cultures\, and backgrounds to sit around a dinner table and s
hare their heart as a way to create unity.
An avid home cook turned c
hef\, she launched Tanorria&rsquo\;s Table right before a 2016 appearance
as a contestant on MasterChef season 7\, where she walked away as the four
th best home cook in America and a true &ldquo\;master&rdquo\; of shrimp &
amp\; grits in the eyes of Gordon Ramsey. While she won over producers\, j
udges\, and the country with raw talent and a sassy personality\, she cred
its family traditions and Black foodways for fueling her success.
Since her appearance on MasterChef\, Tanorria has built a thriving b
usiness and loyal client base in the greater Indianapolis and Chicago area
s. Her personal chef services at Tanorria&rsquo\;s Table are highly sought
after for dinner parties\, celebrations and other private events. As an e
xpert instructor\, her work also extends to engaging cooking demonstration
s and classes for corporate and social events. She has had the privilege o
f speaking to audiences as a keynote speaker\, emcee\, and panelist about
her significant career shift\, anti-racism and social justice work\, and t
he courage it takes to chase dreams. She also serves as the DEI Chairperso
n of the board for a non-profit called Slow Food Indy.
Voted by Apple
Podcast as one of 2022&rsquo\;s Black podcasts that are surviving and thr
iving\, Tanorria co-hosts Black Girls Eating with Candace Boyd of FoodLove
Tog. Black Girls Eating is a conversation about sisterhood\, food\, and Bl
ack culture. Her first cookbook\, Staples +5 : 100 Simple Recipes to Make
the Most of Your Pantry (released in November 2021 by DK Publishing)\, is
considered one of the best cookbooks of 2021 by Glamour.com.
A seat at Tanorria&rsquo\;s Table will nourish your body with food and yo
ur soul with justice!