Shanelly Pena is a chef, entrepreneur and mother. Alongside her sister Danisha Pena, Shanelly founded Higher Dining with a goal of hosting social gatherings and experiences to build community through the art of food. She has long developed her love for food since her childhood pastime of watching cooking shows alongside her sister posturing herself for a palatable future of her own. Together they would visit restaurants, as a means of mastering recipes, before studying fresh ingredients from other cultures to merge with their savory plates. Today the co-founding chef and chief commercial officer of NYC’s Higher Dining brings her artful cuisine socials from the city of neon and chrome through upscale banquets worldwide. As a labor movement union representative, Shanelly Pena polished her business acumen at Howard University and rubbed elbows with members of Congress — prior to establishing herself at the International Culinary Center.
This well-balanced career path enabled her seamless navigation from front to back of the house among the upper echelon in the District of Columbia and Manhattan of the restaurant industry. With sought-after seasonal menus and hospitable event curation, Shanelly Pena fashioned the ownership of the Higher Dining experience by reflecting on her rich heritage and family tradition. This loving household journey was first inspired by her fiancé, global restaurant travels, and the birth of their son. Alongside her sister and business partner, Roshelly — Shanelly Pena’s vision launched by breaking bread within her community as a means to cultivate a gourmet legacy.
Whether A-list or start-up, Higher Dining’s sizzling selections are prepared with love and create mouth-watering memories. Reminiscent of her early days cooking Sunday dinner with college roommates, Shanelly Pena’s clientele gathers around elaborate spreads with laughing faces in celebration. With all, her passionate pursuit proves to be more than appetizing, but fructiferous, too.