Today we’d like to introduce you to Elaine Khodzhayan.
Hi Elaine, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Food was an important part of my life ever since I was young. I grew up in the restaurant business, and I learned early on all that it takes to open and sustain a restaurant – I learned from the best: my dad. From sitting into his meetings with sales reps to hearing him talk about his ideas for menu items and everything in between. My dad gave me the operational understanding that you just don’t learn in a classroom, and this has made me extra passionate about the restaurant industry. My mom played another important role – she made me understand how special food can be in connecting people. Her cooking throughout my life connected me to my Armenian culture and made me have an unending love for the traditions and history that accompanied our meals. My favorite takeaway from her teachings has been the importance of ‘putting love’ into all that you make – using our hands is our way of putting a part of ourselves into each dish, and the personal, thoughtful experience of sharing a meal with someone is made all the more special through it. My parents have been my biggest supporters – And A Chocolate Drizzle wouldn’t have been possible without their persistence in taste-testing (and let me tell you, some of those early recipes were *not* the easiest to try…) and understanding that the kitchen would be occupied (read: messy) most of the time. They have celebrated each partnership, admired each photo, and courageously did the work of tasting each and every chocolate chip cookie recipe I tested.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It’s incredibly common to feel a sense of uneasiness when putting your passion out online. For me, And A Chocolate Drizzle has always been about sharing my love of food with a community of people who share this enthusiasm and are eager to learn more. It’s a hobby that has given me incredible opportunities, many of which involve the connection I’ve made to wonderful people.
Social media has evolved since I began And A Chocolate Drizzle years ago. Now, it can be so overwhelming to see an endless stream of pristine cakes and pastries with not a single flaw — no dent in the frosting, no speck of melted chocolate somewhere it shouldn’t be, no cookies that spread a little too much — and my ambition has been to help make people feel more comfortable with having fun in the kitchen. That’s how it should be, in my opinion. I love Julia Child dearly, and her quote, “Always remember: If you’re alone in the kitchen and you drop the lamb, you can always just pick it up. Who’s going to know?” cracks me up and serves as a good reminder that things don’t always go as planned in the kitchen, but the key is to keep going. I try my best to use my space as a pocket of joy, maybe an inspiration to try that new recipe that you’ve been eyeing but were worried it wouldn’t turn out quite right – I care more about that and helping people learn about amazing restaurants and products than I do how my follower count is doing.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
And A Chocolate Drizzle is a space that allows me to create — whether it is creating a recipe for a company who is launching a new product, taking photos for a local restaurant, or making content for a brand, I strive to put my personality and my enthusiasm into each piece. For me, being authentic is what is most important. I’m proud to be honest with my community, and through this, I’ve built a sense of trust that translates into my community members feeling confident in my recipes and recommendations. When it comes to restaurants, coming from the business has given me a perspective that can’t be taught in the classroom, and I’ve been able to apply my knowledge to provide meaningful feedback. I’d love to spend more time working with local restaurants – they are the foundation of any city, especially in Austin.
What does success mean to you?
In my eyes, there is no one definition for success. My definition of success evolves as I evolve – as I grow as an individual and professional – and it can be so easy to see someone else achieve a goal of yours and feel as though you are behind. ‘They got the job I wanted!’ ‘They got to work with the company I want to work with!’ ‘They got promoted and I didn’t!’ – *they* are walking their own journey. In my full-time role outside of And A Chocolate Drizzle, I have the pleasure of working with incredible college students, and when they ask me this question, I respond in the same way: There is no one path to success. Everyone’s path looks different, and that’s exactly how it should be.
One big, measurable success that I’m incredibly proud of is partnering with the amazing team at Besame to create an ice cream flavor using my brownies: Brownie Points. Not only did I have the joy of working with an amazing local spot, I also fulfilled a childhood dream.
For me, success translates to growth – if I’m not feeling challenged and learning, I don’t think I can be successful in what I’m doing. There’s a sweet spot just outside of my comfort zone that once I dip into, I become more successful in achieving my goals, maintaining my relationships, and working to become a better version of myself than I was the day before.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://andachocolatedrizzle.com/
- Instagram: @AndAChocolateDrizzle
Image Credits
The photo of me holding up the ice cream carton was shot by my friend @AustinEater
