Utokia Langley: ShesGotFlavor.com

Food blogger and entrepreneur, Utokia Langley, is the creator and author of She’s Got Flavor, a site dedicated to all the recipes she has created over the years. Ranging from upscale, gourmet dishes to home style cooking; from completely from scratch meals to quick and easy eats—She’s Got Flavor has got it all. Having been featured in Parents, Better Homes & Gardens, Everyday with Rachael Ray, Uptown and Upscale Magazines; as well on The Dr. Oz Show and The CHEW, Utokia is showcasing just how far a self-taught cook can go when she is passionate about her food. Utokia took some time to share with us and divulge which master chef inspires her, the one cooking trick that every woman should know—and, of course, what’s in her Ultimate Beauty Arsenal. What inspires the mouthwatering recipes you create and post on your site? Everything inspires my recipes. I could be out at my son’s football game and think, “Hmmm…I bet a chili & cheese Italian sausage with a mango salsa would be perfect for a day like today!” It really is a part of my daily life. And of course my family, friends and viewers ask about specific dishes, and I jump at the challenge to create what they want--with an extra hit of flavor to boot. What is the one cooking trick you think every woman should know? Every woman should know that cornstarch and a little water will thicken any runny sauce, and that chicken broth will thin any thick sauce! Which celebrity or master chef do you most look up to and why? I look up to Leah Chase; she is a New Orleans chef who started out waiting tables and rose through the kitchen, to eventually own her own restaurant--in an era when African Americans were not frequent business owners. She faced adversity but always fought through it, never giving up! Owning a business is rough, but if you are doing something you love, and lucky enough to put a smile on someone’s face while doing it, it’s all worth the struggle!


Do you ever use food to create delicious at-home beauty recipes? If so, what is your favorite one? Oh for sure: I use cucumbers or potato slices on my eyes for bags; and for dark circles around my eyes, I eat Greek yogurt every morning (add a little fruit and it’s delish)! Do you have a Sunday night or weekend beauty ritual? If so, what is it? Yes, every weekend I give my face a Borghese Fango Mud Mask! I love that stuff--I have been using it for years. It works wonders for tightening my skin and getting rid of acne! I also take a nice hot bubble bath with bath oil and Epsom salt--just for relaxation and a little hot bath meditation! What are 3 products in your Ultimate Beauty Arsenal—those products that you just can’t live without—and why?

1. Volum Express Falsies Waterproof Mascara in Very Black by Maybelline – I LOVE this mascara; it makes my lashes look like I just paid to have individual false lashes put on! It gives length and thickness, without that caked up look or feel!
2. Unstoppable Eyeliner In Onyx by Maybelline – Another product I LOVE--it is a pencil that gives that rich look of a liquid liner, but the easy use of a pencil!
3. A Kiss of Shimmer Lip Care by Nivea – I don’t wear lipstick often but when I do, it’s typically not heavy or dark; I love this product because it gives me a light colored shimmer and is also a lip balm, keeping my lips moist!

What is the most rewarding aspect of blogging? I love when other people find happiness in the food they create from my recipes. Especially when that happiness turns into memorable moments with their friends and families! It may sound corny but I am quite selfless when it comes to my recipes--I want others to find joy in them. Food is quite comforting when my recipes comfort others. What is your proudest blogging achievement to date? I have been blogging since 2010 and no matter how hard it was to build my audience, or how many hours I’ve spent trying to perfect recipes--I never gave up on me, my business or the people that read my blog. That is my proudest achievement: never giving up! Is there anything else you would like to share with us? She’s Got Flavor is working on developing food related products like aprons, seasoning, and cook books--all in good time. Stay tuned! More about Utokia: More about Utokia: Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | YouTube