Carla Hall: From Corporate America to Homesteading

Carla Hall: From Corporate America to Homesteading

Carla Hall is a well-known chef, television personality, author, and entrepreneur. Most people know her from her appearances on popular TV shows like Top Chef and The Chew. However, what many may not know about Carla Hall is her passion for homesteading and rural living.

Carla grew up in Nashville, Tennessee where she developed an interest in cooking at an early age. She graduated from Howard University with a degree in accounting and worked as an accountant for two years before realizing that her true passion was cooking. She then attended L’Academie de Cuisine in Maryland to pursue culinary training.

After completing culinary school, Carla began working as a caterer for several years before opening her own restaurant called Alchemy Caterers in Washington D.C. In 2008, she auditioned for the fifth season of Top Chef and became a fan favorite with her warm personality and delicious Southern-style cuisine.

In 2011, Carla joined the cast of The Chew on ABC where she shared her love of food with millions of viewers across the country. On the show, she demonstrated how to make simple yet tasty meals using fresh ingredients sourced from local farmers markets.

Despite her success in the entertainment industry, Carla always felt that something was missing from her life. She longed for a simpler lifestyle away from the hustle and bustle of city life. That’s when she discovered homesteading.

Homesteading is a way of life that involves living off-grid or semi-off grid while growing your food, raising animals for meat or dairy products and being self-sufficient as much as possible. It requires hard work but can be incredibly rewarding both financially and spiritually.

In 2013, Carla purchased a small farm outside Nashville where she now lives part-time with her husband Matthew Lyons (whom she married in 2006) and their dog George Henry (who often appears on her social media). The farm is called Carla Hall’s Southern Kitchen and includes a large garden where she grows vegetables, fruit trees, herbs and flowers.

Carla has also raised chickens for eggs and bees for honey. She uses these homegrown ingredients in her cooking and shares them with others through her cookbook “Carla’s Comfort Foods: Favorite Dishes from Around the World”.

In addition to farming, Carla is an advocate for reducing food waste. She often posts on social media about ways to use up leftovers or how to repurpose scraps into new meals. She believes that everyone can make a difference by being mindful of what they throw away.

Carla’s journey from corporate America to homesteading has been one of self-discovery and growth. She has found a way to combine her love of cooking with her desire for a simpler lifestyle while also making a positive impact on the planet.

For those who are interested in homesteading but don’t know where to start, Carla recommends starting small by growing some vegetables or raising chickens for eggs. It doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated; just take it one step at a time.

In conclusion, Carla Hall is not only an accomplished chef but also an inspiration for those who are seeking a more sustainable way of living. Her passion for homesteading and rural living proves that anyone can make changes towards living off-grid even if it’s just by having their own vegetable garden or composting bin at home.