April Thompson has always danced to the beat of her own drum. Although born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, she knew that her big personality, her ambition would take her further than even she could ever imagine. After all, she is living her dream of being a chef, traveling and helping others. April has always been outspoken, aggressive and driven while being a nurturing, sensitive caretaker at the same time. Although unsure of exactly where she would land in the culinary world, she knew that she would do it her way and by any means necessary.

 

While balancing the task of being a personal chef for high profile professionals, top players in the NFL, NBA, MLB and several entertainment personalities, she is also the author of three cookbooks: My Kid Won’t Eat, Baby on a Budget and Cooking by Colors. Since her retirement as a traveling personal chef in 2022, April has continued to focus on areas of health and wellness. Lillian's Bath House, (her line of natural, organic bath products), Bagz Tea Shoppe (her line of organic teas), Bloom and Butter (her line of artisanal crafted butters), as well as her culinary comic book series "In The Kitchen w/Sadie and Simon" are keeping her more than busy. She is also partnering with the Cleveland Clinic Foundation developing nutrition and weight management programs for Endocrinology and Functional Medicine. In addition, her partnership with University Hospital’s Community Wellness Center allows April’s expertise in health and nutrition to help connect the community to a plethora of culinary education workshops and camps. April's no nonsense approach to both her business and personal life has carved her place in the male dominated field of Culinary Arts and the corporate world as a whole, where she is highly respected as a powerhouse, mentor and consultant.

 

April is a recurring guest chef personality on local and national news shows, a variety of internet cooking and sports shows and is recognized as an exemplary volunteer in her community. She is also a keynote speaker, filling seminars at NASA, various colleges and a host of health and wellness events around the world. April was also the first African American chef featured in the Quicken Loans/Aramark Launch Test Kitchen for the 2017-18 NBA Playoffs and Finals. She is an Inaugural Council Committee member for Cleveland Eats Culinary Festival and holds seats on both the Advisory and Steering Committees for the Cuyahoga Community College Hospitality Management Program and is a Chef Partner as well. April adds to her accolades a past seat on the Board of Directors, Ronald McDonald House of Cleveland and is also a Rise and Dine Chef for this organization. April is currently on the Board of Directors at the non-profit for urban gardening, Food Strong and also serves as a chef partner.

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Another side of April is her giving spirit. She is the founder of Shoulder To Shoulder, a Cleveland based organization that provides healthy monthly meals for the less fortunate, sponsors families and shelters during the holidays and provides nutrition based education for inner city children thru cooking, social etiquette classes and growing indoor herbal gardens.​

 

With a never ending hunger for success and an energy level that would render others lifeless, the future is looking exceptionally bright for Ms. Thompson.