Mental Health Assoc. in NJ Explores Art & Creativity, Dec. 8

VIRTUAL GROUP - JOIN US MONDAYs at 5 p.m. Host Lynette Sheard, a West Orange resident and Director of the Mental Health Association in New Jersey's New Jersey Mental Health Players, explores mental health and creativity every week, through insightful interactive discussion and an interview with a special guest from the performing arts community. Zoom in or watch on Facebook Live on the Mental Health Association in New Jersey's Facebook Page for an excellent opportunity to gain valuable information and share collective wellness tips for maintaining emotional well-being. Zoom Meeting ID: 845 9463 4675 Password: 959767 (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84594634675?pwd=Wi9HdWVBYnBaRXdtanZBZFMxN0VIUT09)

On Monday, December 7, Ms. Sheard's guest will be Chef Alethea Green, affectionately known by many as "Chef Soul", the owner/operator of Magic's Catering, LLC and also a chef at the Hilton of Short Hills, New Jersey.

She earned her Commercial Cooking Diploma in 2012 and started her company in 2013. Chef Soul is SERV Safe Food Protection Manager Certified. Her passion for cooking began at the age of 12 and after working for 17 years as a Municipal Court Administrator, she took a leap of faith and pursued her passion for cooking full time. She has an affinity for cooking and preparing all types of meals but, Mediterranean flavors are her favorite. She specializes in preparing meals from scratch with unique flavor profiles that will enlighten all taste buds!!!!

Alethea Green, affectionately known as “Chef Soul", was raised in both Newark and Irvington. Her journey to Culinary Arts was far from easy but it did indeed build the foundation for her passion for cooking.

Chef Soul is the youngest of six siblings. Upon birth, she was initially raised by individuals believed to be familiar friends. At the age of 2, she was returned to her mother, moving from apartment to apartment as her mother attempted to make ends meet for her six children. She did not attend any formal schooling until she reached the age of 10. Chef Soul did not have an ideal relationship with her mother relationship but her mother was known as a "woman who put her foot" in every meal she prepared. At or near the age of 13, Chef Soul's mother unfortunately suffered from a stroke that resulted in paralysis of the entire left side of her body. Due to this unforeseen condition, Chef Soul dropped out of High school and began working three jobs to help make ends meet and care for her mother. During this time, her mother taught her how to cook to take care of herself and her family. Several years later, her mother succumbed to her condition and passed on.

Within one year of losing her mother, Chef Soul lost her brother Darius "Magic" Green whom she adored, as they were the closest in age and attended school together. Like Alethea, Magic had a passion for cooking and loved to prepare wholesome meals for his family and friends. To pay homage to his legacy, Chef Soul coined the name "Magic's Catering" for her catering company.

After obtaining her High school Diploma and working for the City of Newark for approximately 13 years, Chef Soul desired to pursue her passion more sincerely so she enrolled in Culinary school in 2011 and graduated in 2012 all while continuing her full-time job. Magic's Catering was formed shortly thereafter and has been thriving from inception. If you were to ask her why she goes by the name "Chef Soul", she would tell you that she prepares food "from her soul to yours" as she pours her entire heart and passion into each meal she prepares. To date, Chef Soul has catered all types of events, from private, personal meals to events with over 300 attendees.