The Gourmet Diva Serves Up Healthy, Whole Foods And Well-Seasoned Nuts

Chef Keesha O — also known as The Gourmet Diva on social media — and founder of Gourmet Diva Inc., has made it both her personal and professional missions to entertain, educate, empower and unite working professionals through the medium of great food.

She’s carried those goals forward over the few years by appearing on shows like “Chopped” on the Food Network, hosting cooking classes, producing educational culinary programs for children, preparing meals for private clients and building community on Instagram. 

Like many chefs and culinary professionals, she found herself working extreme and grueling 12-hour shifts.

With not a lot of time for breaks, or anything besides work, she says she fell into the trap of not eating right and taking care of herself properly. That led her to unexpectedly gain 10 pounds, which made her feel sluggish, uninspired and unhealthy. 

Then her views on how people ate and took care of themselves changed in her late ‘20s and early ‘30s. When working so fiercely, it didn’t seem to occur to her or her colleagues to eat wholesome, home-cooked foods or how their bad eating habits were contributing to things like weight gain, lack of energy, poor sleep and difficulty in concentrating.

After that, it took one job layoff and an epiphany for her to fuel her passion for entrepreneurship, cooking, empowerment, curiosity and connecting to others.

That’s when Gourmet Diva was born to help others make the connection between what they eat and how they feel.

“I’m passionate about helping people gain healthy, vibrant lives through nutritious whole foods,” Chef Keesha states. “I work with people who love good food but also want to look and feel their personal healthiest.

For years, she has worked to achieve these efforts by specializing in nutrient-dense, non-processed cooking that is healthy, nutritious, and delicious.

Then in 2024 Chef Keesha took that mission to the next level by launching Live Loud Foods, a chef crafted, gourmet candied nuts company. 

Live Loud Foods is a fierce and fun culinary lifestyle brand born in the Bronx, inspired by the vibrant and diverse culture of New York City. 

“We’re here to help people live boldly and authentically, one delicious snack bite at a time,” states Chef Keesha. “January is the perfect time to reset and embrace healthier eating habits.”

And this January, she is offering up two hearty and healthy salads that DION readers can work into their monthly menu planning.

Find out more about Chef Keesha at www.thegourmetdiva.com and www.liveloudfoods.com.

SUBSCRIBE to the free Digital Flip version of DION for two of Chef Keesha’s salad recipes and tips for a healthy start to the new year.