Food serves as a pathway to wellness and recovery. It’s a phrase that is becoming increasingly important as the world recognizes the robust link between our diet and our health condition. Throughout the years, food has evolved from just supplying nutrients into an essential element in discussions about health and recovery. The choices we make about our consumption influence not just our physical health but also our emotional and mental well-being. Currently, it is widely recognized that nutritious food has the ability to energize our bodies, refresh our minds, and enhance our lives.
However, this idea is not always accurate. In many regions around the globe, particularly in marginalized communities, individuals face a phenomenon called ‘food apartheid,’ where they lack access to fresh, nutritious, and reasonably priced food choices. Inadequate access to proper nutrition frequently results in ongoing health problems, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, impacting multiple generations. It’s a widespread issue impacting millions across the globe, and it frequently remains overlooked by conventional healthcare. However, as an increasing number of people start to back healthier eating options, entrepreneurs such as Shanay Wise are committed to creating an impact.
Shanay, the Owner and CEO of Catering Done Wisely, is a pioneer in the food and wellness sectors. She is not only a businesswoman, but also a community advocate, an educator, and a dedicated leader focused on helping individuals heal and thrive through the food they eat. Her goal goes far beyond providing delicious meals. Shanay seeks to provide sustenance that heals, educates, and empowers, committing her life’s work to enhance her community and beyond. Through her role at Catering Done Wisely, she has established a platform that not only provides healthy meals but also addresses the root causes of food insecurity, health inequalities, and the availability of nutritious choices.
Let’s explore how food justice, nutrition education, and wellness advocacy come together in Shanay’s inspiring mission!
From Adversity to Advocacy
Shanay’s journey into the culinary world is not the typical success story. It is a tale of resilience, perseverance, and transformation. Her passion for food and wellness didn’t begin in the kitchen; it began in a different field altogether. In 2008, when she first launched Catering Done Wisely, her focus was clear: she wanted to provide people with a healthy menu at an affordable price. But at that point, she was not solely dedicated to catering; she was working full-time, juggling a day job while catering on the side. The goal was simple—build a business that could one day sustain itself and make a positive impact.
However, the path to success was anything but smooth. In 2012, her family experienced a devastating blow when they were foreclosed on, a moment that left her feeling defeated and uncertain about the future. “It was a challenging time in our family when we were foreclosed on in 2012,” she recalls. This financial setback made it difficult for her to continue her catering business, but rather than letting it stop her, she took a different approach.
Determined to turn things around, Shanay made the bold decision to go back to school and finish her undergraduate degree. “I decided to go back to school to finish my undergrad,” she says, a decision that not only changed her life but also shifted her entire perspective on her business. During this time, she also accepted a position with Americorps, where she began teaching culinary classes to people in her community. It was a turning point. “I was teaching a free accelerated culinary class for the community,” she shares. “It was really making a difference in my students’ lives.”
This experience was transformative. It opened her eyes to the impact that food could have on people’s lives, not just as a source of nourishment, but as a vehicle for change. “It allowed me to serve the population I had been trying to reach,” she says. She realized that her true passion was not only in preparing food but in using it as a tool for education and empowerment. From 2016 until the onset of COVID-19, Shanay worked tirelessly to teach culinary classes, making a lasting impact in her community. However, when the pandemic hit, everything changed.
“From 2016-2020, I worked in this position until COVID-19 stopped everything,” she recalls. The pandemic forced her to reassess the next steps. After much reflection, she decided to focus on her catering business full-time. “I decided it was time to cater full time, and I did not return to my full-time job,” she explains. This decision proved to be pivotal, as Catering Done Wisely began to take on a life of its own. It was no longer just a business—it was a platform for change.
Bridging the Gap Between Culinary Arts and Healthcare
One of the most profound aspects of her work is her belief in the power of food as medicine. This belief stems from her background in the dental field, which gave her a unique perspective on how food and health are deeply interconnected. “The mouth is the gateway to your body,” Shanay explains. “Understanding how everything you put in your mouth affects your body helped me create a platform to cater food that helps you live a healthy lifestyle.” This knowledge has been central to the way she approaches her business and community work.
Through her work, Shanay has created programs like the “Food is Medicine” class, where she partners with a general doctor to teach people how food can play a role in preventing and managing chronic health conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure. “I teach a Food is Medicine class for people suffering from several kinds of illnesses,” she shares. “Food is not your enemy.” Together with the doctor, she emphasizes that food can be used to nurture and maintain good health, alongside the support of medical professionals. This holistic approach—blending the power of nutrition with the expertise of doctors—is something that Shanay firmly believes can revolutionize the way we approach healthcare.
Her philosophy doesn’t just stop at the classroom level. It extends into every aspect of her catering business. Her approach to food is centered on offering nourishing, healing meals that address the health needs of her community, particularly those who live in areas where access to healthy food is limited. “We’re experiencing food apartheid,” she explains, “my community is plagued with illnesses due to a lack of healthy options and grocery stores.” Shanay’s work goes beyond providing meals—it’s about offering hope and education to those who need it the most.
Serving the Underserved
She is deeply committed to addressing the health disparities that exist in underserved communities, particularly those affected by food deserts and limited access to fresh produce. Through Catering Done Wisely, she actively seeks out contracts and opportunities to provide meals for vulnerable populations, ensuring that healthy food reaches those who need it most. “Catering Done Wisely seeks contracts to cater to our vulnerable population,” she says. But her work doesn’t stop there. She is also deeply involved in local programs that provide job training, empowering people in her community with skills that can help them build a better future.
In addition to catering, Shanay also teaches regular “Cooking Wisely” classes, focusing on healthy food preparation for both young people and seniors. These classes are aimed at people living in food apartheid areas, where access to fresh food is scarce. “I teach Cooking Wisely classes to our senior and young people that are living in food apartheid,” she shares. Through these classes, she is helping to equip the community with the knowledge they need to make healthier food choices, even in challenging circumstances.
As a true advocate for her community, she has created The Wise Advocacy Project, which works to raise awareness around critical health issues, particularly oral health. For over a decade, she has run a toothbrush drive in honor of National Children’s Dental Health Month, visiting local elementary schools to educate children on the importance of oral hygiene. “I go to local elementary schools and teach an oral health care presentation to kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd graders,” Shanay says. “Yes, everyone leaves with a toothbrush.” For her, this initiative is more than just a giveaway—it’s about planting the seeds of good health in children at an early age.
Looking to the Future
As Shanay looks ahead to 2025, she is optimistic about the future of food, health, and wellness. However, she remains acutely aware of the challenges that lie ahead. Her vision for the future centers around one powerful idea: a deeper, more integrated partnership between the culinary and healthcare sectors. “Healthcare and culinary lack partnerships,” she explains. “If we could partner to teach healthy lifestyles before patients became ill, I believe we could turn around a lot of patients’ health before they became ill by educating and teaching.”
Her vision is not just about feeding people; it’s about preventing illness before it even begins. By collaborating with healthcare professionals and incorporating nutrition education into healthcare systems, she believes we can change the trajectory of public health. It’s a bold vision, but one that she is committed to pursuing.
Balancing Business and Advocacy
Running a successful business while staying committed to community work isn’t easy, but Shanay has found a way to make it work. For her, it’s all about balance and strategy. “It’s a very strategic balance,” she shares. “It’s all one in the same.” She explains that every catering event she books is an opportunity to contribute to the health and wellness of the community. Her business is built around the idea that serving healthy, nourishing food is just as important as her advocacy and education efforts. “When you book me, you will get a healthy culinary experience,” she says. “My community work is centered around feeding the underserved community regularly.”
Despite the challenges, she has found a way to continue pushing forward. “I am currently in a place where I can pay for training and good employees, but I still struggle with self-care,” she admits. “In 2025, I will be doing a better job of resting, resetting, and keeping my peace.” Taking time for rest and renewal has become a priority for her as she navigates the demanding nature of her work.
A Message to Aspiring Women Entrepreneurs
Shanay’s journey is an inspiration to women entrepreneurs everywhere, especially those interested in making a difference in the healthcare and food sectors. Her advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is clear: “Educate yourself very well on how the body works and how food can be medicine.” She encourages women to invest in their education and training, learning the ins and outs of both nutrition and food preparation. But more importantly, she stresses the importance of building relationships with the community you aim to serve. “You must build a relationship with the community, and they will tell you what their needs are,” she concludes.
