Second Life Toni Chapman: The Moody Foody
Nov 10, 2025
Toni Chapman, also known as The Moody Foody, is a culinary content creator and cookbook author, celebrated for her journey from a bank teller to a food entrepreneur. In this chat, she shares how cooking elaborate lunches for her boyfriend transitioned into her meal-delivery service, ToniCooks. Toni talks about her viral moment after getting fired, how COVID boosted her business, and her creative process behind her new cookbook, 'Everything's Good.' She offers insights on recipe development, entrepreneurial lessons, and the importance of self-care in balancing work and life.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Raised With Food As Connection
- Toni grew up in a lively Puerto Rican household where food, hosting, and celebration were central to family life.
- Her father led frequent big gatherings which taught her that food connects people and inspired her hosting bug.
Lunches Turned Into A Business
- Toni made elaborate, dinner-style lunches for her then-boyfriend who worked long hours, including Peruvian chicken and steak frites.
- These premium lunches turned into paid orders and eventually a full meal-delivery business after she left banking.
Viral Tweet And Ava DuVernay Boost
- After getting fired, Toni tweeted a photo asking people to buy her meals and woke up to thousands of DMs and media attention.
- Ava DuVernay then asked for meals and posted Toni's photo, which dramatically boosted her business.
