Meet Ambassador Chelsea Gieselmann
December 13, 2024
As we step into 2025, Sweet Grown Alabama is excited to introduce a new class of Ambassadors! Join us in celebrating Chelsea Gieselmann, the talented force behind Southrngritskitchen. Chelsea is teaming up with Sweet Grown Alabama to shine a spotlight on locally grown products and the farmers who make it all possible. Fun fact: Chelsea has also showcased her culinary skills on Food Network, making her a true advocate for both local food and creative cooking! Keep reading to hear more from Chelsea in her own words!
1. Who is Chelsea Gieselmann?
I was born and raised in Alabama, and I am currently residing in the tiny unincorporated town of Wicksburg. I am better known as Southrngritskitchen on social media to most around my hometown and I wear a plethora of hats. I am a mom, food columnist, chef, marketing manager for our local farmers market, and a huge advocate for supporting local businesses, restaurants, and farmers.
In 2024, I was able to represent my little slice of Alabama in two rather large ways. In June, I went head-to-head against one of the pillars of Food Network, Iron Chef Alex Guarnaschelli, and defeated her 3-1 on the set of Outchef’d. Winning against Alex gave me the opportunity to receive a Golden Ticket to the World Food Championships. In November, I took my talents to Indianapolis and came in 3rd place against some of the world’s best chefs in the Rice Category.
When I’m not traveling, I am home creating unique elevated southern dishes, being an advocate for the local culinary scene, and building strong relationships in a rather thriving community.
2. How did you begin your cooking journey?
Both my mawmaw and great grandmother played a huge role in the chef I am today. I have been cooking since I was knee high to a grasshopper! Literally. My earliest memories are of me as a toddler standing on my tip toes, on my great grandmother’s stool, trying to make homemade dumplings and cutting biscuits out with the mouth of a mason jar in my mawmaw’s kitchen. I don’t think either one of them truly realizes how much influence they have had on my journey. Every dish I create has a little piece of them incorporated into my creation, whether it be the ingredients I use or the way I carry old school techniques into my preparations.
3. What is your all-time favorite meal?
Chicken and Dumplings. I can eat a bowl of them every meal for a week and not get sick of them. There’s something so comforting about a big ole bowl of C&D. Chicken and Dumplings are proof that the simplest most inexpensive ingredients can be transformed into a beautiful representation of what the South is all about.
4. What draws you to locally-grown products?
What draws me to locally grown products are truly so much more than just knowing where the food my family eats comes from. Here in Alabama, we have so many talented hardworking farmers. Given the position I’m in, I have the chance to witness the work that goes into the fresh products our local farmers grow. I have so much appreciation for the art of farming, from their crop rotation process to the harvesting to watching them sell their hard work, it truly is a beautiful sight to see.
5. Where is your favorite spot in Alabama?
My favorite spot in Alabama is my mawmaw’s kitchen bar. So many core memories, cherished talks, and family meals have been had while sitting at her kitchen bar.
6. If you had to pick just ONE of the following to keep, which would you choose and why? Local tomatoes, local honey or local pecans?
Holy moly this is the equivalent of asking me which one of my kids is my favorite! All three of these products are staples in my kitchen but for the sake of this interview, I’m going to say, honey! Honey is not only a delightful addition to multiple dishes and drinks, but it is also great for allergies and the common cold.
Follow Southrngritskitchen on Facebook to see her posts promoting locally grown this year!