This Kentucky 'MasterChef' finalist is bringing her private chef business to Louisville

Brandi Alexander hustled over to Frankfort Avenue for a photo shoot with the Courier Journal just minutes after wrapping a cooking segment on WHAS TV. A two-time contestant on the hit television cooking competition "MasterChef," Alexander is making the rounds on local media in order to let it be known that she's moved to Louisville and her catering company, "Southern Flair with Chef Brandi," is open for business.

"I am doing what I really love to do," Alexander told the Courier Journal. "I especially enjoy working as a private chef and creating meals with a customer's preferences in mind."

The runner-up on Season 7 of "MasterChef" and a contestant on Season 12 "MasterChef: Back to Win," Alexander, a self-taught home cook, said the opportunity to train under culinary greats like Gordon Ramsey, Christina Tosi, Aaron Sanchez, Richard Blais and Chef Edward Lee of Louisville altered her cooking style, taught her valuable new cooking techniques and provided her a springboard to make a major life change.

"The show completely changed my outlook on life," Alexander told the Courier Journal. "I realized that you grow up your whole life, and you hear you can be whatever you want to be but it comes down to whether you have the courage to go after those dreams."

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After the conclusion of Season 7, Alexander decided to follow her culinary passion to the next level. The Irvington, Kentucky resident decided to leave her job as a fifth-grade school teacher and fired up her own catering business. She's also stayed connected to the culinary celebrity world by setting sail with other "MasterChef" alums on the third MasterChef Cruise through the Eastern Caribbean and taking part in "MasterChef" camps.

As Southern Flair with Chef Brandi got cooking, the mother of three found herself doing a lot of traveling to jobs in the Louisville area which led to her to relocate her home and business a few weeks before the 149th Kentucky Derby.

"I have found that most of my business is for private dinners and I love this type of work," she said. "I really enjoy coming into someone's home and creating a meal specifically designed for them."

She's doing a lot of private dinners in the kitchens of Airbnb properties for tourists coming to Kentucky to take part in the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Alexander said special occasions like anniversaries and birthdays are also a popular reason to cook a special meal in a customer's home.

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"And since I was a school teacher, I still love to teach," Alexander said. "When someone wants a cooking lesson combined with dinner, that's a lot of fun, too. If you are hosting a birthday party or a get-together with friends, an anniversary, or some other milestone, I can teach a lesson followed by dinner or you can all cook right along with me."

Of course, your other option is to simply show up at the dinner table without lifting a finger. From start to finish, Alexander takes care of everything, from shopping for ingredients to cooking and cleaning up.

"Southern cooking is my specialty and what I was known for on 'MasterChef' but I have definitely expanded," she said. "I love cooking dishes you wouldn't necessarily find in a restaurant like an Asian dish with pork belly, pecan-crusted Halibut, or homemade manicotti. I always try to add a little southern inspiration but my menus are definitely not limited to southern cuisine."

If you have the chance, try one of Alexander's cheesecakes. She brought one to use as a prop at the photo shoot with the Courier Journal and the Blackberry Bourbon Cheesecake was fluffy, not too sweet, and can be made with a gluten-free crust if you prefer.

"Cheesecake is one of my favorite desserts and I have perfected it over time," she said.

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If the idea of a private home chef feels like a luxury reserved only for the very wealthy, Alexander says you might be surprised how many people are finding this to be an affordable way to enjoy a special meal.

"People are really catching onto the idea and I am glad they are because I enjoy this so much," she said. "Whether hiring me as a convenience like during big events like the Kentucky Derby or coming to town for bourbon tours or a single special event like an anniversary or graduation, I strive to create an individually unique culinary adventure for every client."

If you'd like to welcome Chef Brandi to her new home in Louisville, you can learn more about booking a private dinner, cooking demonstrations or classes, catering and menus, visit Southern Flair with Chef Brandi at southern-flair.com.

Reach features reporter Kirby Adams at kadams@courier-journal.com.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: MasterChef Brandi Alexander brings private chef business to Louisville