Influential Woman · CulinaryHospitality

Patrice McQueen

Culinary Professional, Saks Global (Neiman Marcus)

Dallas, TX

1Award received

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree Expected Completion June 2026 Degree Associate's Degree in Culinary Science Arts Degree Le Cordon Bleu Degree 2009 Degree Associate's Degree in Paralegal Studies Degree Nutrition Courses (in progress Degree Expected completion June 2025) Cert Manager ServSafe Cert First Aid and CPR Trained

Her Story

About Patrice

My true passion for cooking literally started when I was young, just seeing my family as a whole gather in the kitchen and cook together. My mom took time out to show myself and my siblings, and it's just always something that I've gravitated to. I've been in the culinary hospitality field professionally since 2009, which makes this 16 years now. I currently work as a chef for Neiman Marcus in Dallas, where I've been for a year and a half, and I'm also the executive chef and owner of Simplicity Catering DFW, which I started in 2010. In my catering business, I handle everything from sales and marketing to website maintenance, client relations, event planning, and prep for events. As a chef at Neiman Marcus, I work on prep, work the line, and assist with catering events. One of my proudest achievements is catering for the U.S. Army branch here in the Dallas-Fort Worth area for four years in a row, serving up to 600 people at one time.

Quick Facts

IndustryCulinaryHospitality
Based inDallas, TX
Specialty CulinaryHospitality, Event Planning, Catering
Volunteers with St. Jude, Salvation Army, North Texas Food Bank
- Feeding the Homeless Community (holiday gatherings with culinary colleagues)

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Patrice

01What do you attribute your success to?

Having the fortitude to see things through no matter the obstacles I may have faced. Learning new skills and keeping up with the trends in the food industry. Being able to present different and creative menus to my clients and give them an experience that will be a lasting memory drives my success and has kept the light beaming in my passion of all things culinary.

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

Never let someone tell me that I can't do something. With that advice, not intentionally, but I proved a chef that I used to work with wrong about what he once said to me. When we encountered one another at a catering event, he saw how I worked, and later said, "I want you to come back to be on my team", but I had already moved on to another opportunity.

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

Always listen, be receptive, pay attention, take notes, and keep a log of everything that you learn. Review those notes as much as you can and continuously apply yourself. Be open to learning and growing as you experience new experiences!

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

The biggest challenge is navigating through the different personalities in the industry.

The biggest opportunity would be being ready to take the next step within or outside of the industry.

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

Professionalism is really important to me. Having integrity, a good sense of communication throughout the process of talking and working with people and clients, is really important. My work ethic is something I can speak to for myself, but there's others that can also attest that. I strive to be a better human each day.

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