Chef Monica Libertino shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Chef Monica, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: Who are you learning from right now?
I’ve always been a student at heart. From an early age, my grandparents and my mother instilled in me the value of education and the belief that I could go further than they did and achieve my dreams. That foundation stayed with me—even when my path wasn’t a straight line.
I faced challenges in my high school years and ultimately made the difficult decision to leave. What could have been an ending became a turning point. I earned my GED, went on to college, and eventually completed four degrees, including a Master of Science. Later, I returned to pursue a degree in Culinary Entrepreneurship—driven by a vision to build my own culinary business. Today, that vision is my reality.
I don’t just see myself as a success story—I see myself as someone who has endured, adapted, and grown stronger through every setback. I believe life’s challenges serve a purpose. In my own journey, those experiences have shaped who I am today—and I’m still evolving.
Currently, I’m continuing that growth by working with a career coach through the Tampa Bay Women’s Business Center. She brings extensive experience in marketing and human resources, along with a background in the restaurant and hospitality industry. Her insights—particularly after reviewing my website, social media, and local presence—have been invaluable as I continue to establish myself in the Tampa Bay area.
Having relocated from New Jersey just three years ago, building a new network of clients, colleagues, and friends has been both a challenge and an opportunity. I’m proud to say it’s beginning to feel like home.
My coach, Diane, has been a meaningful influence in this chapter, along with the business communities I’ve joined, including The Bay Network and the Concord Station Business Connections group in Lutz and Land O’ Lakes. Through these connections, I’ve built relationships with fellow entrepreneurs and neighbors, and I’m steadily planting roots in my community.
For anyone starting a business, my advice is simple: start local. Get to know the people around you. Community is where growth truly begins.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Chef Monica, the founder of Sunset Vibe Chefs, a personal chef service dedicated to creating elevated, in-home dining experiences throughout the Tampa Bay area. What I do goes beyond simply preparing meals—I transform everyday spaces into unforgettable culinary moments where food, atmosphere, and connection come together.
At the heart of my brand is the belief that the table is where true connection—and often healing—happens. In a fast-paced world, I create intentional spaces where people can slow down, gather, and share meaningful moments over thoughtfully prepared food.
Sunset Vibe Chefs offers a range of experiences, from casual, family-style meals to refined, high-end luxury dining. Whether it’s weekly meal prep, intimate dinners, or milestone celebrations, each experience is curated to reflect my clients’ needs and lifestyle. I also specialize in accommodating special dietary protocols, ensuring that every client can enjoy a personalized and nourishing experience without compromise.
My journey into this work is deeply personal. I followed a vision to turn my passion for food into something meaningful. That vision became Sunset Vibe Chefs—a brand rooted in resilience, creativity, and the idea that great food has the power to bring people together in the most memorable ways.
What makes my brand unique is the experience itself. It’s not just about what’s on the plate—it’s about how it makes you feel. I aim to create that “sunset vibe” in every home: warm, inviting, elevated, and effortlessly special.
Right now, I’m focused on expanding my presence in the Tampa Bay community, building meaningful client relationships, and continuing to grow the brand through curated experiences, collaborations, and a strong local network.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
At the core of Sunset Vibe Chefs is a deep belief: the table is where connection—and often healing—begins.
In today’s world, it’s easy for bonds to weaken. Distance, demanding schedules, technology, and even life’s more difficult moments—like loss within a family—can create space between people. Without realizing it, we start replacing presence with convenience, and meaningful connection slowly fades into the background.
That’s exactly why what I do matters.
I’ve seen firsthand how something as simple as a shared meal can begin to restore those connections. When people gather around a table—without distractions—something shifts. Conversations open up, laughter returns, and walls start to come down. The atmosphere softens, and people reconnect in a real, meaningful way.
Through Sunset Vibe Chefs, I intentionally create those moments. Whether it’s an intimate dinner or a casual family-style gathering, the experience is designed to bring people back to the table—to slow down, be present, and truly enjoy each other again.
Food becomes the bridge. Exploring flavors from around the world allows people to “travel” together without leaving home, sparking curiosity, storytelling, and shared experiences. It turns a meal into something memorable.
In a culture driven by convenience—where quick delivery Uber Eats etc. has replaced sitting down together—the value of the dining experience has been downplayed. But I believe it’s one of the most powerful ways to rebuild connection.
Because when we gather, share a meal, and create that “sunset vibe”—warm, inviting, and intentional—we’re not just eating… we’re restoring something deeper.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I believe God gives each of us unique gifts—things that come naturally, that quietly call us if we’re willing to listen. The challenge is learning to trust that guidance. When we drift away from it and try to force our own plans, life often becomes harder. There’s resistance, a sense of striving instead of flowing.
For a long time, I chose what felt practical. I followed a path that provided stability and financial security, spending 26 years in a career that allowed me to take care of my children—which I’m deeply grateful for. But creatively and spiritually, I felt unfulfilled. It was a life that, while stable, came with a great deal of stress and felt far removed from my true calling.
Looking back, I can see that fear played a role—fear of failure, and the need for financial certainty. I prioritized what made sense on paper over what I felt called to do in my heart.
But there comes a point where you can’t ignore that calling anymore.
Today, I’m walking in faith. I’ve chosen to trust that God has a plan for my life, and that the gifts He’s given me are meant to serve others. Through Sunset Vibe Chefs, I’m not just creating meals—I’m creating spaces where people feel seen, cared for, and connected.
Serving others through food is part of my purpose, but it goes deeper than that. I bring my whole self to the table, including my faith. There have been moments where conversations turn meaningful, where people open up, and even where prayer naturally unfolds. And that’s okay—because people are carrying so much, and sometimes what they need most is a safe, welcoming space to be nourished in more ways than one.
I truly believe healing can happen around the table. When we gather, slow down, and share not just food but presence, love, and grace—something powerful takes place.
And for the first time, I can say with certainty: I’m doing what I was created to do.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest misconceptions in the culinary world is that you have to go to a high-end restaurant to have a truly exceptional dining experience.
While I deeply respect the artistry, discipline, and precision that go into fine dining, some of the most meaningful—and honestly, the best-tasting—meals don’t happen in luxury restaurants. They happen in modest homes, around kitchen tables, and even outdoors at a simple picnic. What makes those experiences unforgettable isn’t just the food—it’s the connection, the comfort, and the atmosphere.
That’s where the personal chef experience shifts the narrative.
When you bring a personal chef into your home, the experience becomes entirely centered around you. Every detail—from the menu to the ingredients—is thoughtfully curated based on your preferences, your lifestyle, and even your dietary needs. But beyond the food, it’s the presence that transforms the space. There’s an energy that comes from having something created just for you, in your own environment, that no restaurant can fully replicate.
During COVID, people began to rediscover the value of home. They invested in their spaces, creating environments that felt warm, inviting, and designed for gathering. There was a renewed appreciation for fellowship—for slowing down and sharing moments with the people closest to us.
I believe that mindset is here to stay.
Now more than ever, people are realizing that you don’t have to leave your home to have a luxury experience. In fact, some of the most elevated, intimate, and memorable dining moments happen right where you’re most comfortable.
It’s about redefining what “fine dining” really means—and bringing that experience home in a way that feels personal, intentional, and truly unforgettable.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
This question has crossed my mind before—who will remember me, who will show up, and what kind of impact I truly left behind.
What I hope is that people remember the moments we shared. The laughter around the table, the gatherings filled with warmth, and of course, the food. More than anything, I hope they remember how I made them feel—loved, cared for, and welcomed. Because for me, hospitality has never just been about cooking; it’s been my way of expressing love.
I believe hospitality is a gift, and it’s been part of me for as long as I can remember. From playing with my Holly Hobbie Oven as a child, to teaching a neighbor how to make empanadas, to cooking a full three-course surprise birthday dinner for my mom at just ten years old—that desire to serve and bring joy to others has always been there.
As a mother, I poured that same love into raising my children—giving them experiences and stability I didn’t always have, and doing my best to create a life filled with care, presence, and opportunity. I’m not perfect. I’ve made my share of mistakes along the way. But I’ve grown. I’ve become stronger, more grounded in my faith, and deeply rooted in my love for God, my family, and my community.
At the end of the day, I hope I’m remembered not just for what I did, but for how I showed up—for the heart behind it all.
And if I’m being honest… I know they’ll miss my food too.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sunsetvibechefs.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunsetvibechefs
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monica-libertino-99b8b18/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094783396962
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/sunset-vibe-chefs-lutz
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Monica_SunsetVibeChefs
- Other: https://share.google/dXQ99nU1iNCwrW47D – Google Profile link
