404
Page Not Found
we’re sorry. the page you requested could no be found Please go back to the home page
GO HOME
we’re sorry. the page you requested could no be found Please go back to the home page
GO HOMEFor Chef Sullivan Phillips, the journey to becoming a chef was never a question.
"It was always in me," he says, recalling the profound influence his grandmother had on his culinary career.
Since the age of nine, Chef Sullivan grew up watching his grandmother prepare meals for their family and community. "I watched my grandmother cook, cater, and watch people eat her food made with nothing but love! To take ingredients that weren’t organic or brought out of a high-priced grocery store and made them into some of the best cuisine I’ve ever tasted."
This love of food and tradition continues to shape his approach to catering. "My grandmother kept the traditions of family and family first in everything we do," Chef Sullivan reflects. "Even down to the best Gumbo recipe passed down from her days growing up in the South."
With this foundation of family and soul, Chef Sullivan founded Give’Em A Taste Catering in March 2018 alongside his wife.
“At Give’Em A Taste my goal is to share my culinary love of cooking & creating mouth watering masterpieces,” he says. “What sets us apart is flavor and taste of Southern and soul cuisine!”
A small, family-run operation, Give’Em A Taste stands out not only for its food but also for its personal touch. "We are a family-run company, with zero employees. It's just me and my wife," he shares. "Everything we do comes from our hearts."
Before venturing into the culinary world, Chef Sullivan had an entirely different career. For 17 years, he worked as a cable car gripman for the historic San Francisco Cable Car System. "It was one of the best, hardest, and least-known careers in the world," he says, reflecting on his time as a transit operator for the SFMTA. But his heart was always in cooking.
"I’m a self-taught chef," Chef Sullivan admits. "I didn’t go to culinary school. My culinary school was my grandmother, Julia Rankins. She and her sister, my great aunt, ran and cooked for their own catering company before I even knew what being an entrepreneur was about." With this rich family history in food, the transition to professional catering was inevitable.
Like many entrepreneurs, Chef Sullivan's first big event was a trial by fire. "My first big gig was a breakfast brunch for 50 guests, but before I knew it the number had grown to 70!" he laughs. "It killed me! Talk about learning on the fly." Despite the initial challenges, the event was a success, and it marked the beginning of what would become a thriving catering business.
In today’s digital age, having an online presence is crucial for any business. Chef Sullivan was quick to recognize the importance of a website for showcasing his catering services. "When we first started, we needed a self-explanatory guide into building a website," he explains. "GoDaddy provided that platform. And the name of our website, tastes.us, says it all to me!"
The website allows Give’Em A Taste to visually share the love and care that goes into every dish, as well as the company’s ability to serve clients nationwide. With a full-service, traveling catering operation, Give’Em A Taste is more than capable of bringing its Southern-style flavor to events across California—and beyond.
One of the most important lessons Chef Sullivan has learned in his catering journey is the importance of presentation. "In today’s world, if you are looking to enter the food and beverage industry, make sure your food looks like art!" he advises. "We eat with our eyes first, so if it looks beautiful, it will mentally taste the same."
At Give’Em A Taste Catering, the focus isn’t just on flavor but also on the visual experience. "We try to produce beautiful cuisine, not only for the look but for the taste as well," Chef Sullivan emphasizes. The result is a menu that is both aesthetically stunning and delicious, ensuring that every bite is a memorable one.
Beyond the traditional catering offerings, Give’Em A Taste also provides an exclusive private chef experience through their sister website, tastetheexperience.us. This service is dedicated to intimate in-home dining experiences, where clients can enjoy a Southern culinary adventure in the comfort of their own homes.
"This website is geared toward our intimate and family-style services," Chef Sullivan explains. "All cuisine is cooked in-house and served in elevated styles—plated, buffet, or family-style.”
"Everyone deserves an experience," Chef Sullivan adds.
For his second venture, Taste the Experience he also opted for a .US website, tastetheexperience.us. “We do have two .US domains. It captures the names of our businesses so well, because we are a team of two. We are us! And we look forward to giving you and your guests a taste!”
As for his dream catering gig, Chef Sullivan doesn’t hesitate. "No doubt, I would love to cook for Ina Garten, 'The Barefoot Contessa,'" he says. "The main dish would be a seafood bouillabaisse." Chef Sullivan admires Ina Garten for her attention to detail and commitment to creating elegant, yet simple, gatherings. "Ina is the epitome of gatherings with food and high-end entertaining," he says, acknowledging that her approach to hospitality has long inspired his own work.
Whether it’s a lavish wedding, a corporate event, or an intimate private dining experience, Give'Em Taste Catering promises to deliver more than just food. Chef Sullivan sums up the essence of his business: "My goal is to share MY culinary love of cooking and creating mouth-watering masterpieces. What sets us apart is flavor and taste of Southern soul cuisine."
At the end of the day, it’s not just about food—it’s about the experience. "Our motto is simple: 'Look forward to giving you and your guests a TASTE!!!'" says Chef Sullivan. And with every dish served, Give’Em A Taste does just that—offering an unforgettable culinary experience that will have guests talking long after the last bite.
Learn how you can partner with GoDaddy Registry.
Give us a call +1 (480) 651-9999