Chef Therese Nelson

A direct product of Newark, NJ Chef Therese grew up in the south ward and was a student at University High School. Her college plans grew from an inspiring interview on PBS profiling iconic chef Edna Lewis. With some deep soul searching as well as intensive industry and college research she set her sights on Johnson and Wales University where she felt she could get the most comprehensive education. Flourishing at the Charleston campus she was a member of the National Society of Minorities in Hospitality, Johnson and Wales’ BSU, and Eta Sigma Delta. Ultimately she graduated with honors in both Culinary Arts in 2002 and Foodservice Management in 2004.

Therese’s professional resume consist of kitchen work in Atlanta, GA with the Renaissance Waverly Hotel and Trader Vic’s restaurant at the Hilton Atlanta Hotel, in Charleston, South Carolina with the Charleston Grill at the 4 star, 4 diamond Venice Simplon Orient Express’ Charleston Place Hotel and the historic Mills House Hotel, and in New York City where she joined the opening team of the Ty Lounge at the 5 star 5 diamond Four Seasons Hotel.

In 2006 Therese met Joan A. Davis, Jeniece Isley, and Shakara Bridgers as they were putting together their first cookbook The Get Em’ Girls Guide to the Power of Cuisine and had a role in the book as recipe consultant. The women formed a friendship and soon began discussions about how to translate the spirit of the cookbook and their collective food philosophies into a larger brand, and so Get Em’ Girls Inc. was born. As executive chef Therese has crafted a soulful take on New American cuisine through seasonal and thoughtfully innovative menus that has come to serve as a catalyst to promote an overall lifestyle brand that represents the young, socially conscious, urban professional. Joining the team full time in October 2008 Therese has also become food editor of getemgirls.com , is working with the ladies on continuing the cookbook series, developing the constantly growing GEG product line, and in late spring/early summer of 2010 will help open The Get Em' Girls Cupcake Suite and Cafe in the heart of the Harlem empowerment zone.