Ayesha Curry’s passion for food and drink is palpable, but her journey hasn’t always been smooth. As an entrepreneur, chef, and busy mom, the 35-year-old wears many hats. But her love for the kitchen fueled her thriving business, including her celebrated restaurant ventures.

However, in a recent conversation with Bon Appétit and Epicurious Editor-in-Chief, Jamila Robinson on the Food People by Bon Appétit podcast, Stephen Curry’s better half opened up about the unexpected challenges that shook her culinary world and personal life.

“Food and drink for me is everything,” Ayesha said, reflecting on her core background in hospitality and her mentorship under award-winning Chef Michael Mina. Yet, the pandemic threw a wrench into her plans. A massive wrench! “Post-Covid, I had this lull in food because I had lost my tastebuds. Solid nine months. And it was devastating!” she admitted.

Though her sense of taste hasn’t fully returned, Ayesha Curry is determined to reclaim her love for the kitchen. “Every day I try a little bit more and a little bit more and I know I will get back to that lust that I have for the kitchen.” Then again, the mother of four isn’t just about food. During Covid, she also embraced homesteading, albeit on a small scale.

Having started with gardening, Curry confirms it is still going strong. “‘I do love gardening [but with a caveat]; when it works. I have got six chickens at home. I love all that homesteading stuff, to a certain level. As much of it that I can do.” 

Ayesha’s connection to nature and food has been a source of grounding amid life’s chaos. Chaos was something the luxury wine brand Domaine Curry, co-founder, went through since her second pregnancy.

Ayesha Curry on overcoming challenges beyond the kitchen

While losing her sense of taste was a major blow, Mrs. Curry had already faced significant personal hurdles. After her second daughter, Ryan’s delivery, Ayesha struggled with postpartum depression (PPD) which she candidly discussed in an earlier interview with The Cut. Although she wasn’t aware what she went through with Ryan was PPD, she was at least in the know with Canon.

Not that it lessened the burden. “After I had my third child, I had pretty severe postpartum depression. … I was very hard on myself,” she confessed. Just as she was finding her footing after all this, the pandemic struck, robbing her of her tastebuds. We can only imagine how shattering it must have been for someone whose livelihood depends on flavor!

But that wasn’t all. This setback came at a critical time for Ayesha Curry. She expanded her restaurant empire with her mentor, Chef Mina, including opening International Smoke in Las Vegas. And if that wasn’t enough, the change in her sensory perception also impacted her skincare line, Sweet July Skin, which she describes as a “very Caribbean food-focused skin-care line.”

Despite these obstacles, Curry leaned into her challenges, refocusing her energy on product innovation and her brand’s reach. “It’s also given me the space and allowed me to unlock different interests,” she shared. Even in the face of adversity, this adaptability and resilience have been key to her success, proving, that Ayesha Curry’s entrepreneurial spirit shines through.

Ayesha’s story serves as a powerful reminder that setbacks can be stepping stones to greater achievements, inspiring anyone facing their own struggles to keep moving forward.