• Celebrity
    • Daniel Kaluuya Digital Cover
    • Digital Cover Method Man
    • Digital Cover Zazie
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
    • If Not For My Girls
  • Fashion
    • ESSENCE Fashion House 2022
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Black Beauty Awards 2022
    • ESSENCE Hair Awards 2022
    • AVEENO Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • Beauty News
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weave
    • 4C
  • Love
    • Love & Sex News
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Black History Month
    • ESSENCE Gift Guide 2022
    • ESSENCE + smartwater Live Well Challenge
    • Build Your Legacy 2022
    • Dream & Plan with Confidence Prudential
    • AMEX Platinum Travel
    • Homecoming Season 2022
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
  • News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Sponsors Recognition Page 2022
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Video
  • Festival
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Fest Videos
  • Events
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Girls United Summit
    • 2022 ESSENCE Fashion House
    • 2022 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2022 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
    • 2022 Homecoming Season
    • Wellness House
    • She Got Now
    • Dear Black Men
    • I Am Speaking
    • Power Tools
  • Studios
  • Girls United

WHERE BLACK WOMEN COME FIRST

Every day we're serving Black women deeply. Come get a plate of goodness! Sign up for daily content and exclusive offers you'll love!

Your email is required.
Your email is in invalid format.
Confirm email is required.
Email did not match.
By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and that you have read our Privacy Policy
Skip to content
SUBSCRIBE
  • MAGAZINE
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Celebrity
    • Daniel Kaluuya Digital Cover
    • Digital Cover Method Man
    • Digital Cover Zazie
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
      • Paint The Polls Black
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
    • If Not For My Girls
  • Fashion
    • ESSENCE Fashion House 2022
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Black Beauty Awards 2022
    • ESSENCE Hair Awards 2022
    • AVEENO Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • Beauty News
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weave
    • 4C
  • Love
    • Love & Sex News
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Black History Month
    • ESSENCE Gift Guide 2022
    • ESSENCE + smartwater Live Well Challenge
    • Build Your Legacy 2022
    • Dream & Plan with Confidence Prudential
    • AMEX Platinum Travel
    • Homecoming Season 2022
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
  • News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Sponsors Recognition Page 2022
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Video
  • Festival
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Fest Videos
  • Events
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Girls United Summit
    • 2022 ESSENCE Fashion House
    • 2022 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2022 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
    • 2022 Homecoming Season
    • Wellness House
    • She Got Now
    • Dear Black Men
    • I Am Speaking
    • Power Tools
  • Studios
  • Girls United
Home · News

Chef Shannah Spencer Talks Easy Cooking For Busy Women

In a day when women can choose whatever career they want, Chef Shannah Spencer says knowing your way around the kitchen is still important. The southern belle is making patrons smile with her delicious dishes at Capitol Sports restaurant in Louisiana, and shares her favorite recipes and cooking tips.
By Charreah Jackson · Updated October 29, 2020


In a day when women can choose whatever career they want, Chef Shannah Spencer says knowing your way around the kitchen is still important. The southern belle is making patrons smile with her delicious dishes at Capitol Sports restaurant in Louisiana, and shares her favorite recipes and cooking tips.

ESSENCE.COM: What are your favorite southern dishes to cook and why?
SHANNAH SPENCER:
Growing up in Louisiana, there were a lot of family dinners where gumbo was served as the main dish. So everything about gumbo reminds me of family. I also like to make mother okra with sausage and shrimp served with baked chicken because my grandmother taught me how to cook it. So every time I prepare it I’m reminded of her.

ESSENCE.COM: And why is it important for women to be able to cook today?
SPENCER:
Because there’s something different about a home cooked meal. It’s magical in bringing family together. The vibe is more intimate than dinner at a restaurant, and you know someone prepared the food with love.

ESSENCE.COM: Very true. So what’s the biggest mistake women make when it comes to cooking and how we can we fix it?
SPENCER:
They try to take on too much at one time. You need to find the one thing you do well and then expand that. If you’re a good baker, start with something you’re comfortable with, and slowly expand your horizons to new dishes. Also, try to prepare one dish two or three different ways. You’re already comfortable with the dish, so trying it a few different ways will allow you to gradually pick up some new skills and get your creativity flowing in the kitchen. The easiest way to beef up your skills is to take a cooking class. Bring your spouse or a friend along for fun.

ESSENCE.COM: That sounds like fun! Now for busy women on the go, what are some cooking tips that can make a meal seem like it took some serious effort?
SPENCER: Prep food in advance. The day before or at least six hours before you cook. Let it marinate or add seasoning and then give it time to soak up the flavor. It’s all about the flavor.

ESSENCE.COM: And what are the most important supplies to make sure you always have in the kitchen?
SPENCER:
A good set of pots and pans, and knives. Sometimes people will buy a cheap pot or pan here and there. That’s okay as long as they’re good quality. Bed, Bath & Beyond has some great pots, pans and knives for cooking at home. A good ingredient rack is also key since it’s all about the flavor.

 

Try some of Chef Shannah’s signature recipes:

The Capitol Sports Restaurant Mediterranean Salad Recipe


The Capitol Sports Restaurant Chef Shannah’s Crawfish Mold Recipe

 

COMPANY INFORMATION
  • Our Company
  • Customer Service
  • Essence Ventures
  • Change Your Address
  • Contact Us
  • Job Opportunities
  • Internships
  • Media Kit
  • tag
SUBSCRIBE
  • Newsletters
  • Give a Gift of ESSENCE
  • Magazine Tablet Edition
FOLLOW US
MORE ON ESSENCE
  • Home
  • Love
  • Celebrity
  • Beauty
  • Hair
  • Fashion
  • ESSENCE festival

ESSENCE.com is part of ESSENCE Communications, Inc.

Essence may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.

©2023 ESSENCE Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Essence.com Advertising Terms

Get The ESSENCE Newsletter and
Special Offers delivered to your inbox

By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Get The ESSENCE Magazine
by subscribing below
subscribe now