Her Story
About StacyAnn
I've been in the Food and Nutrition Department for about 20 years. I started young at a catering hall in Brooklyn, New York, and I liked it a lot - communicating with the clients, serving them. I decided pretty young that this would be it for me, where I would be able to deliver excellent food to people and be able to have that great conversation with them. I got my cooking background from my dad, and by doing culinary school in addition to my Walden College education, I was able to make it into a business and bring a little sunshine into what I do. Currently, I work full-time as a culinary director at a senior living facility, and I love talking to my seniors and hearing their funny stories. The fact that I could still get compliments from them, even after they've traveled the world and have all these different adventures, and they still enjoy what I make for them here - that means everything to me. In addition to that, I run my own personal catering business where I'm able to shine with my personality and do personal catering and functions. My most notable professional achievement is my role as Director of Food and Nutrition at Gardens - I've come a long way. It sounds cliche, but I've been passed over a lot, although I have the experience and everything behind my name, because I am a female. At first glance, they're always gonna say, oh, she's a pretty girl put together, but yes, I do take my craft very seriously, and I am passionate about what I do.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with StacyAnn
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my children and my family. I always want to be able to provide for them, and I always want them to do better so that they'll be okay, and my family will be okay. I would say my children and my family - I always want to be successful, because I think my family depends on me. They are my biggest motivation to keep pushing forward and achieving more.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Pick something that you're gonna enjoy doing - the money will come. I promise you the money will come. You have to enjoy what you're doing. The money will follow. Most people - my mom wanted me to be a nurse or a doctor, and she said the pay is good, but I can't afford to see a cut or blood. I have to do cooking. I have to feed people, because that's where my heart is. And knock on wood, it hasn't failed me. I have no issues paying my bills, I have no issues running my business, because I enjoy what I do. People do see that, they feel that through your craft.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge is that everything I've been working on takes forever. I don't know if it's because they look at me and they're like, oh, she's a girl, and then everything is just so difficult. I'm calling everyone, I'm reaching out to everyone, I'm working on all these projects and stuff, but everything is difficult. They don't take me as serious - she's a pretty girl, she might not know what's going on. I guess that's the point I'm trying to make. When I got my position as Director of Food and Nutrition, they all looked at me like, okay, well, she's pretty, and her hair is done, she doesn't know what - until I was able to throw down in the kitchen and they understood. I take my craft very seriously, and I want to be reckoned with. So at first glance, yes, they're always gonna say, oh, she's a pretty girl put together, but yes, I do take my craft very seriously, and I am passionate about what I do. The challenge - again, it's cliche, but they look at you as woman first.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I love people with ethics, respect, and quality. Don't lie to me - let me be very honest. And we'll get far. These values of honesty, respect, and quality work are what I look for in both my professional and personal relationships.
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