Natasha Guess, BA
Natasha Guess is a seasoned catering entrepreneur with over 32 years of experience in the culinary and hospitality industry. She is the owner of Tasha’s Heart and Soul Catering, a business she founded to bring warmth, flavor, and exceptional service to events throughout Virginia and into neighboring states such as North and South Carolina. Natasha’s career is rooted in a lifelong passion for food and hospitality, inspired by her family’s traditions of Sunday dinners and community gatherings, where she observed the power of food to bring people together.
Natasha began her culinary journey at a young age, working at McDonald’s in high school, where she learned the importance of working under pressure and delivering excellent customer service. She later gained formal education in culinary arts, earning an associate’s degree from Johnson & Wales University, Norfolk, and then a bachelor’s degree in Restaurant/Food Services Management from Johnson & Wales University, Charleston, SC, after learning it was required for management opportunities. She worked with Aramark at Emory University in Atlanta before launching her own catering business, now supported by a dedicated team of 10–12 staff members.
Throughout her career, Natasha has focused on excellence, heart, and integrity in every aspect of her work. She emphasizes attentive customer service, collaboration with other caterers, and flexibility in responding to client needs. Natasha continues to grow her business, bringing both her extensive experience and her family-inspired hospitality to every event she serves.
• Associate's Degree in Culinary Arts
• Bachelor of Arts, Restaurant/Food Services Management
• Johnson & Wales University, Norfolk — Associate’s Degree in Culinary Arts
• Johnson & Wales University, Charleston, SC — Bachelor of Arts in Restaurant/Food Services Management
• Influential Women 2026
• Chamber of Commerce (goal to join)
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my family culinary traditions and hospitality, formative lessons from early work at McDonald’s about working under pressure and providing excellent customer service, and my formal culinary education combined with decades of experience in catering.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I received was that I needed a bachelor’s degree to qualify for management opportunities. This guidance led me to return to school and earn my bachelor’s, which opened the door to leadership and business ownership opportunities.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice is to know that catering is not easy, but if you do it from the heart, it’s incredibly rewarding. Be prepared for long hours, master customer service, be a good listener, and don’t hesitate to ask other caterers for advice or mentorship. View your peers as collaborators rather than competitors.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenges are the demanding hours and the high expectations for customer service. Opportunities include collaborating with other caterers, expanding services regionally, and growing a catering business into full-time operations.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Family, love, hospitality, strong customer service, attentive listening, and building collaborative relationships are central to both my personal life and professional work.