Influential Woman · Restaurant

Alexcia Hebert

Cook, New Smyrna Beach

Daytona Beach, FL

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree High School Diploma

Her Story

About Alexcia

I started in the restaurant business over 10 years ago when my sister broke her leg and needed someone to fill in for her at her restaurant. I was living with my sister at the time, and she asked me if I could take over for her, so I asked her boss and there I was - I became her replacement. I never gave the position back - when she tried to come back to the restaurant, I told her I wasn't giving her stuff back and she had to find a different shift! I began as a server at Weber Steakhouse in Daytona Beach, then moved to bartending at the Hideout in Daytona Beach, and also did dishwashing. I've climbed every ladder in a restaurant that you could climb and played pretty much every role. My most notable achievement has been becoming a cook because I've wanted this for such a long time. I used to talk about 'upping my apron' because you get a longer apron when you become a cook, and I was determined to climb that ladder - and I sure did. Now I work as a cook at Diamond Assisted Living in New Smyrna Beach, where I make sure everyone in my facility is fed proper, healthy meals at good portions. One of the most important sections of my facility is memory care, and we always handle them with special care. I'm a perfectionist - when I make a plate, I like to arrange it a certain way with a certain aesthetic. It has to be pretty and presentable. I think those kinds of skills would be great for catering, and I believe I could kill it in the catering business. My days are full - I get up at 5 in the morning and sometimes I'm not out of there until 7 o'clock at night. If I do breakfast, I'm in there as early as 5 AM and won't get out until 2 or 2:30. If I do dinner, I go in as early as 11 and won't get out until 7 or 7:30. But I have a passion for it and I love it.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Alexcia

01What do you attribute your success to?

I attribute my success to myself, 100%. I could have stayed a waitress, I could have stayed a dishwasher, you know, but I had bigger goals. I wanted to be the one cooking the food, and I wanted to be the one flipping, and saying 'here you go, try this.' That was something I've always wanted, and I finally got it, and I'm not letting this go. I could take it further, but I'm not letting it go. It's really about having bigger goals and going after what you want.

02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?

The best career advice I've ever received is to absolutely go for it. Go for it. If that's what you want to do, it's mind over matter, for real. Like, if you really put your mind to it, you can get it done. I believe that if you set your mind to something and truly want it, you can achieve it.

03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

Don't be scared! Really, I know some cooks can be a little nasty, and they can be yelling and swearing. Don't be scared, ask for a shot, ask for an opportunity. You never know unless you ask. A closed mouth doesn't get fed. You have to put yourself out there and ask questions. If you don't ask, you're not going to get it. Don't let intimidating environments or difficult personalities hold you back from pursuing what you want.

04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?

One of my biggest challenges is time management, because of the fact I work in assisted living, and this would go for restaurant work too. You only have an amount of time to execute a dish. Once that time passes, either something's expired, or if you're in the restaurant business, your customer's out the door. So time management is very important in this kind of industry. If you can't manage your time, then you're not going to make it. You have to learn timing, and you know, what goes with what, and what you can do in that amount of time. Time management can make or break you in this field.

05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?

I always treat people with respect. I think that's important because I think a lot of people forget that politeness and respect goes a far way. There's a lot of attitude and nastiness out there, and there's no need for all that. I'm not saying you have to get along with everybody, but just basic respect - come on, guys. I think that's very important. Respect and politeness are fundamental values that I live by, both in my work and personal life.

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