Antonio Phillips is making quite a name on the cooking scene.

Phillips, a South Lenoir High School graduate, was busy during Super Bowl Sunday Feb. 3, working a party for Sean “Diddy” Combs, one of the biggest music moguls in the industry.

“I remember my partner, Chef Joe (Smart), calling me that morning saying, ‘Hey, I just got off the phone with Diddy and he wants us to cater his party,’” Phillips said. “My reply was ‘What time does he need us there?’”

Combs wasn’t Phillips’ first big client since starting his “Chef Phill” brand two years ago.

“I’ve done a lot of private dinners, weddings and birthday parties, but have now started doing celebrity dinners,” Phillips said. “I’ve done prop food for movies; most recently (the upcoming drama) ‘Keys to the City’ starring Isaiah Washington. I’ve been featured in (the television series) ‘Braxton Family Values’ and if there’s an event that needs food, I’m there.”

Phillips had other interests after graduating from South Lenoir, playing basketball for a stint at Lenoir Community College before heading to the military.

“I was deployed in Iraq and once I got out in 2006, I felt like I needed to do something different,” Phillips said. “I moved to Atlanta and graduated in 2012 from Le Cordon Bleu, working on my brand from there.”

Phillips said he has plans to do events in Kinston in the near future.

“I’m looking to do a Mother’s Day brunch in May,” Phillips said. “I’m trying to get that in order and working on locations. Around the summer time, I want to do something for the kids — I used to go live on Facebook cooking recipes and people were interested in learning.

“I’m just thankful for everyone who’s supported me throughout.”

Phillips said he has advice for those looking to break out with their abilities, cooking or otherwise.

“Trust and believe in God,” Phillips said. “Stay prayed up, because His will is going to happen. It’s a lot of hard work and it’s not easy, but stay focused. Continue to push and everything will fall into place.”

For more information about Phillips, go to chefphill.com or send an email to contact@chefphill.com.