Cooking Up Change: Chef Tawana Gulley’s Mission to Empower Youth and Redefine Soul Food in Indianapolis

From soul food to success stories, Chef Tawana is making an impact on the Indianapolis Community 

Edible Indy sat down with Chef Tawana Gulley, a culinary powerhouse in Indianapolis, and private chef and owner of Healthy Soul, a globally inspired eatery located in The Amp at 16 Tech. During our interview, it was evident that Chef Tawana is a beloved figure at The Amp. Her peers frequently greeted her with high- fives and waves, and she is clearly highly respected among fellow business owners for both her expertise and passion. 

Transforming Soul Food

With a passion for nutritious and delicious food, Chef Tawana is redefining soul food by incorporating healthy, fresh ingredients into her innovative dishes. Her goal is to offer healthier versions of traditional dishes without sacrificing flavor, believing that soul food can be both comforting and nourishing. (And after diving into her seafood fried rice topped with grilled salmon and house-made soy ginger lime, we can see why she’s a popular stop at the AMP.)

Empowering the Next Generation

But Chef Gulley’s real passion goes beyond her delicious dishes. 

Gulley is the founder of Healthy Soul Culinary Bootcamp, a transformative summer “boot camp” for teens that teaches essential cooking and knife skills, food handling, customer service, table and serving etiquette, financial literacy and best business practices. 

The program, while unofficial for many years, officially debuted in 2023 with 12 students and grew to 36 just over the last year.  

Chef Tawana’s program is designed to empower young individuals, providing them with valuable life skills and opportunities in the culinary field.  “I talk to the kids. I respect them. I teach them what I know.” says Gulley. “And what we don’t know, we learn it together. And that bonds us in a way.” 

The students also gain hands-on experience by working in various restaurants within The Amp food court, fostering their culinary talents and business experience. “We want to give our students opportunities beyond bootcamp using the skills we have trained them to do.” One student waved to Gulley on her way to her first job at The Bull Grill, Healthy Soul’s neighbor inside the AMP known for their award winning burgers. 

Supporting the Culinary Boot Camp

Chef Tawana’s journey in the culinary world is not only bringing flavor and soul to the Indianapolis food scene but is also empowering the next generation to believe in themselves by giving them the confidence and the skills they need to succeed. For more information about Chef Tawana Gulley and Healthy Soul, visit Healthy Soul Indy.

You can also support students in Healthy Soul Culinary bootcamp by considering a donation.