Chef Pimpin birthed the name “The Hawaiian Sista”. In doing so she formed a marriage between her new life and her life before she fell in love with creating incredible dishes. She began her culinary career inspired by Hawaiian culture, tradition, love for uniting people with food and Cultivate meaningful connections.

 Renee’s culinary repertoire flourished after her second visit to Hawaii “The Big Island", during a culinary demo where she gained knowledge on different cooking techniques alongside chef and good friend Chef Donn at the Tropics Ale House in Waikoloa village. She then took that opportunity to meet and work with different cooking professionals in the area. Soon after she took a position in Short Hills, New Jersey at famed hibachi restaurant Benihana. Here she extended her skill and started out as a prep cook and began learning the ropes in the kitchen. After 2 years of traveling around the world and getting extensive culinary training Smith earned a position as a Tappan Chef. Through this she was exposed to the creative American/ Japanese style cuisine, following that restaurant cooking experience, A year later she was also offered a position in Weehawken, New Jersey at the 5 Star Chart House restaurant Executive chefing. Where they redefined the ideal dining experience specializing in dazzling views, seafood, unique cuisine, and exceptional service. During thses experiences she had the opportunity to cook for exclusive clients like NBA Basketball teams- the lakers 2-time championship winner Jr Smith ,Grammy winner & Billboard women in music Mary j Blige, Grammy Nominee- Fetty wap, fashion designer Misa Hylton ,NFL teams- The Jets ,Kelvin Beachum jr, Corey Tindal , Detroit Pistons -Isaiah Whitehead and more. Is it any wonder why her business plans were executed on the islands of O’ahu ? After all it is best known as "the gathering place". In 2017 while visiting the island of Waikiki and finding herself enamored by the cuisine and her surroundings. Chef Pimpin decided to cook up a few ideas of her own. With her Hawaiian inspired meals and southern flare, she created a luxury brand for everyone to sink their teeth into. 

 As a garden state native Chef Pimpin opened a catering business in New Jersey. In the Spring of 2019, she introduced her clientele to Kawai Mahi-Mahi Executive Catering, A catering business dedicated to the” Aloha Spirit”, love for food, and gourmet dishes including seafood and comfort food.

Recognition…………. 

Chef Pimpin has since established herself while mixing in with the Food network industry, attending NYCWFF in 2018 as a guest at the pier 92 FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL'S 25TH BIRTHDAY PARTY. In 2021 She became one of NYCWFF featured Lead culinary team chefs working alongside other food network celebrity chefs such as Anne Burrell, Mark Murphy, Alton Brown, Robert Irvine, Kardea Brown, The Breakfast Club’s Angela Yee and Run DMC‘s Rev Run and more in the culinary industry.

​

Giving back...………

Outside of her busy catering business, Chef Pimpin is committed to giving back to her Church at Impact church in South Plainfield NJ & her community. She has invested her Time and talent in food pantries, thanksgiving cheers with feeding the homeless, backpack and school drives, and Christmas toy drive. In addition, she has worked with “Comcast Cares“ in the small renovation of a cooking area for special needs children in Irvington ,New Jersey, giving special needs children a jump start on life and moving forward . Also donating more time and talent  to “The Food Bank for New York City” which raised over 12.5 million dollars to aid against hunger around the world.