He started selling cupcakes out of his dad’s barbershop in high school. Today he’s a celebrity private chef who’s cooked for Martin Lawrence, George Lopez, DL Hughley, and Storm Reid. And in this conversation, he breaks down how he built Gourmet 21 from scratch — no culinary school, no shortcuts, just passion on the plate and a refusal to be put in a box.
Chef Scotty B (Scotty Bonds) is a celebrity private chef based in Charlotte, NC. He’s built his brand from Greensboro roots through entrepreneurship, family legacy, and an uncompromising commitment to quality — and he brings a perspective to the kitchen that most chefs can’t match: the ability to bake and cook at the highest level.
From the Martin Lawrence story to his dream of feeding the less fortunate with gourmet meals, this conversation covers the hustle, the heart, and the vision behind the plate.
🎙️ TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 – Introduction
1:27 – Where Scotty’s headspace is right now: creation mode
1:58 – Why a chef is one of the greatest artists
2:46 – Scrambled eggs at 3: how it all started
3:14 – From cookies to cupcakes to “I can do way more than that”
4:30 – What “elevated Southern food” really means
5:15 – The rare skill most chefs can’t claim: baking AND cooking
6:07 – The decision everyone questioned: raising his prices
7:14 – The advice he’d give himself 5 years ago
7:45 – What most people misunderstand about private chefs
8:18 – Going to 5 stores for one Super Bowl booking
10:05 – Who shaped him: dad in the kitchen, mom’s legendary chicken tenders
11:36 – His dream: a brick and mortar restaurant
12:19 – Signature sauces — the honey garlic that sold out first
12:37 – The Martin Lawrence story (and DeRay Davis helping clean up)
14:34 – Why community support keeps him going
15:52 – What he stopped doing that made him better: patience
16:49 – His question for the world: how to stop world hunger
17:50 – Valentine’s Day special: $100 off private dinners
18:30 – Closing + how to book Chef Scotty B
In this conversation, we explore:
• How selling cupcakes at his dad’s barbershop became a celebrity chef career
• Why he goes to 5 stores for a single booking — and won’t let clients bring their own ingredients
• The night cooking for Martin Lawrence turned into feeding an entire arena crew
• What “elevated Southern food” means and why it’s not your grandma’s mac and cheese
• The family legacy behind the number “21” — three generations deep
• Why patience in the slow seasons is the real secret to longevity
• His dream of cooking gourmet meals for people experiencing homelessness
• The signature honey garlic sauce that sold out first
• His vision for a brick and mortar restaurant
CONNECT WITH CHEF SCOTTY B:
Instagram: @itschefscottyb
Website: gourmet21catering.com
Booking: (336) 912-3349
ABOUT IN GOOD COMPANY:
Real conversations with builders, thinkers, and operators. No scripts. No corporate speak. Just honest insights from people worth knowing.
🔗 Full episodes & guest profiles: InGoodConnects.com
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