SEASONED BY SPIRIT

How Chef Tammy Acree Turns Grief into Glory and Flavor into Ministry

By: SGBC Chief Editor

In 2020, amidst the global stillness of the pandemic, Tammy Acree sat in physical pain, unable to walk, watching her husband struggle to keep their household afloat. In that darkness, she didn't ask for money; she asked for a way to help. The answer didn't come as a business plan—it came as a spiritual download.

"God gave me the vision of 'seasons in a bottle,'" Acree recalls. "He started downloading the recipes to me. I went into the kitchen, put the ingredients together, and put it on Facebook."

The response was instant and undeniable. In a single day, she sold 500 bottles. It was the birth of Chef Acree Heavenly Spice Blend Season LLC, a business built not just on culinary skill, but on divine inspiration. But for Chef Acree, cooking has never been just about food—it is about survival, healing, and ministry.

A Journey Forged in Fire

To understand the depth of Chef Acree’s flavor, you must understand the depth of her resilience. Her journey has been marked by profound loss. She is a Gold Star mother who lost her first son in Afghanistan 15 years ago. Then, in a devastating blow in 2022, she lost her second son to Stage 4 colon and liver cancer—a tragedy that struck just ten months after his diagnosis.

"For the last three years, I’ve been in grief, like not moving," Acree admits. "Cooking is my escape. It was my escape from poverty growing up, and it became my escape from grief. I put the love that I wasn't getting or feeling into my meals."

For Chef Acree, a plate of food is spiritual nourishment. Her philosophy is simple: when people eat her food, for that hour, they forget their pain. They are fed, body and soul.

More Than a Cook: A Credentialed Culinary Leader

While her inspiration is spiritual, her background is deeply professional. Tammy Acree is not just a cook; she is a credentialed Chef and educator.

For the past eight years, she has served as a Culinary Arts Instructor at Wiregrass Georgia Technical College, where she also serves as the Program Coordinator for Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Management. She holds a degree in the field and is a certified ServSafe Proctor.

Her influence extends into the local high schools, specifically in Brooks County, where she teaches the next generation not just how to cook, but the discipline of banquet setup, fine dining etiquette, and entrepreneurship.

"I hire my students to work with me," she says. "I teach them how to do entrepreneurship, how to be their own boss, and how to execute events. It’s about teaching them life skills so they can break cycles of poverty."

The Next Course: Goals and Growth

Today, Chef Acree is ready to move from "limbo" back into the limelight. Her product line includes her signature Heavenly Spice Blends (including Jamaican Jerk and All-Purpose seasonings) and her famous sweet potato cupcakes. She has also just published a cookbook dedicated to her late sons.

Her goals are ambitious. Long-term, she envisions owning her own restaurant and venue. In the immediate future, she is working to transition her business from a "cottage kitchen" to a fully licensed manufacturing operation, allowing her to place her products on shelves in major retailers like Walmart and Amazon.

The SGBC Partnership: A Recipe for Success

This is where the Southern Georgia Black Chambers steps in. During a recent strategy session with SGBC President DeWayne Johnson, a roadmap was developed to take Chef Acree from local secret to regional staple.

"We want to connect our members with people who have been successful at the state level," Johnson noted. "We want to make sure that we are buying Black-owned first."

The Chamber is actively supporting Chef Acree’s re-emergence through:

• Visibility & Technology: assisting with digital marketing strategies, including QR code integration and website optimization to drive direct product sales.

• State-Level Exposure: Connecting her with the "Government Link" reception in Atlanta, providing an opportunity to cater for mayors and city officials from across Georgia.

• Community Showcase: Chef Acree’s products and her signature sweet potato cupcakes will be featured at the upcoming SGBC Gala, putting her brand directly in the hands (and mouths) of community movers and shakers.

"I see the vision," Acree says of her partnership with the Chamber. "My spirit rolls up with the things the Chamber is doing. Now, it’s just time to walk the walk."

Chef Tammy Acree is back in the kitchen, and she is cooking with a purpose. When you buy a bottle of her seasoning or taste her catering, you aren't just getting a blend of herbs; you are tasting a testimony of survival, faith, and an undying love for people.

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