Tammy Washington

I attribute my success to my mother, my family and children, who motivate me to pursue a better life and greater opportunities for all of us. I am goal-driven, and I stay focused on each objective until I achieve it. Buying my own home and transforming a camper into my mobile kitchen are two of the goals I have accomplished, and both have helped me build a better balance between work, home, and family life.

First chef I worked under told me to pursue my degree in business management, instead of being specific to any type of business field. That degree could open more doors, than others. And to treat each new job as just that, new. Allowing yourself to take in as much knowledge as you can, at each job. Even though I know how to cook, still treat the new job with the open eyes it deserves, so that I can learn the expectations of the job and how they do things. Then, add my personal touch, , without compromising the company’s standards or the outcome. First hand knowledge is always better, and there are many different techniques to doing things, and you can still yield the same outcome. Especially in cooking.

I would encourage young women entering the culinary field to define clearly what they want from their careers, because knowing the outcome they want makes it easier to order their steps and make sound decisions. Before choosing culinary school, business school, or another educational path, they should decide whether they want to work for someone else or become an entrepreneur, since entrepreneurship requires a different approach. Choosing courses that support that goal will make the journey easier.

I see strong opportunity in the growth of mobile food service. A mobile operation carries far less overhead than a traditional restaurant, can be run with fewer staff, and gives me control over my schedule. Moving from a pull-behind trailer to a food truck will open more city venues, since some locations accept only trucks. I also see opportunity in online ordering, more weddings and events, and stronger advertising. A challenge is choosing profitable locations, so I observe customer traffic carefully before committing to any location fees.

Family, goal-setting, independence, and creativity are central to who I am. I value the flexibility and balance that come from running my own business, and I take pride in the direct, face-to-face connection I have with customers. I also value community service. I hope to give back by providing meals to people experiencing homelessness, in a way that lets them feel respected, and by helping single parents who need support.