On this episode of Monuments to Me, Chef Carla Hall discusses her journey of reclaiming the kitchen and creating community in the process.  As a Black southern woman, Carla Hall embraces the culture of soul food - and spreads the good word about cooking with love. She shares her unique insights about divine timing, aging with grace, and pivoting in your career.  Carla didn’t always cook, but she always loved to eat. She went to culinary school at 33 and competed on Top Chef at 44. Proving that it is never too late to chase your passions, Carla emphasizes that everything happens for a reason. What dreams or ideas do you have, sitting on the shelf? This episode will make you want to pull them down, dust them off and run with them at full speed.  Chef Carla Hall has been featured as a contestant on Top Chef and appeared on Top Chef: All Stars. She is the Author of multiple cookbooks including Soul Food: Everyday and Celebration, which landed on annual “Best Cookbook” lists across the country and received an NAACP Image Awards nomination. She spent 7 years co-hosting ABC’s Emmy award winning, popular lifestyle series “The Chew”, and is featured on the Food Network in shows such as “Thanksgiving, Holiday and Halloween Baking Championships” as a Judge. Connect With Carla Website: https://carlahall.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carlaphall/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chefcarlahall  Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfZYLw8eI690el8dkO54sJg  To learn more about our hosts, check out their Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter pages. Akilah- @akilahffriend Website: https://akilahffriend.com/  Dawn- @_dawnmontgomery YouTube: @BreakofDM and Twitter: @_dawnmontgomer Monuments To Me Show: @monumentstome Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Show Production: Adode Media www.adodemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices