William Turner is an in-home private chef based in Scottsdale, with a focus on bringing the decadent five-star perfection of a steakhouse dining experience to the comfort of your own home or private venue. Chef Turner is celebrating his third successful year in business. Learn about Chef William Turner…
Hometown: Andrew, South Carolina
First job: Dishwasher and prep cook at a Seafood Shack at the age of 14.
Favorite ways to spend your free time in AZ: What free time? Just kidding. This one’s easy…outdoors exploring! Either on a trail or in a pool.
Your biggest accomplishment and why: Being named the No. 1 Private Chef in Phoenix by Phoenix Entrepreneurs Magazine has to be my biggest, professional accomplishment so far. However, I didn’t do it alone and it’s really not about me. It’s about my clients having fun, eating great food and enjoying themselves for a few hours. Every time I can provide a special and memorable dining experience for someone, I feel like I accomplished something special.
The biggest obstacle you overcame: Fear and self-doubt. For years I wasted so much time underachieving because I was afraid of failure and had self-doubt that I allowed to control me. When I finally let go of that fear and doubt and bet on me, my life changed immediately.
Someone who inspires you and why: My mom, Kay Turner, is my hero and always will be. Not only did she raise my three sisters and me–practically all by herself–she also put herself through school while battling cancer and then went on to a very successful real estate career. My mom also taught me the basics of cooking which I will always be profoundly grateful for. She truly inspires me to no end.
Advice to someone pursuing a career path in what you do: I suggest anyone looking at a career in culinary arts to go work in a restaurant for six months and see if you like it. My advice to anyone starting a business is to start producing or serving ASAP. You can’t wait on everything to be right or perfect; you just have to start doing business.
Favorite quote: “We are stars wrapped in skin, the light we are seeking has always been within.” –Unknown
Something someone would be surprised to learn about you: That I took six months of acting classes and developed a real passion for it.
What makes someone fabulous: I believe we all can be fabulous if we embrace love, compassion and acceptance and abandon fear, hate and self-doubt.