About Chef Tacana
Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, to a Teaching Chef, Tacana’s culinary roots were planted early—though her personal passion for cooking did not fully awaken until the age of 30, when she relocated to Dallas, Texas in 2004. Long before stepping confidently into the kitchen, Tacana lived a life deeply rooted in service. Her journey includes singing and touring abroad, mentoring teen girls, building beauty through her freelance makeup business founded in 1994, and working in salons as a licensed nail technician to finance college while pursuing her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. Through every season, she continued to cultivate the many gifts God placed within her.
In 2001, Tacana was diagnosed with Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis and was told she would never walk, fully use her hands, or function as a “normal” individual her age. God, however, had other plans. What was meant to limit her instead became the catalyst for purpose, healing, and resilience. There has been no obstacle formed that has not been overcome.
In 2014, Tacana returned home to Chicago, earned her Food Service Management license with the City and State, and officially launched Tacana’s Kitchen LLC. Her work quickly gained recognition: Restaurant.com named her business Best of the Best Takeout Kitchen in the Chicagoland area for 2015–2016; Marcus Theaters featured Tacana’s Kitchen on their main movie screens during the 2018 holiday season for three consecutive months; and Restaurant Guru awarded her a Certificate of Excellence in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023. Tacana’s Kitchen LLC was also honored as Top Personal Chef and Caterer in Calumet City, Illinois for 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025.
Driven by her own healing journey and passion for whole-body wellness, Tacana expanded her practice beyond the plate. In 2018, she obtained a Medicinal Cannabis license, followed by a Dispensary certification in 2019, further strengthening her ability to support clients through gut health and holistic healing. As a Naturopathic Practitioner, she integrates food, wellness, and education to address healing from the inside out—giving birth to #CanasRemedies and the signature #ABALMEXPERIENCE, where nourishment meets restoration.
In 2023, Tacana became a proud member of ForbesBLK and expanded her offerings to include Culinary Instruction and Global Consulting. Whether catering intimate gatherings, hosting Sunday dinners, traveling the world to cook, or teaching the value of intentional meal preparation on a global scale, Tacana’s heart for service remains at the center of all she does.
Her mission is simple yet powerful: to heal, nourish, and bring joy—one plate, one experience, and one life at a time. Once you’ve been fed by Tacana’s Kitchen, a smile is guaranteed.
As the slogan says, #YouShouldLetMeFeedYou
