Imagine a job with no vacation days or benefits. Envision standing on your feet for 14 hours a day with few breaks. Add to that the myriad responsibilities of small business ownership: finances, social media, marketing, customer service, supply and demand… these daily demands are just the tip of the iceberg for chefs, a group of individuals fueled by their love of food, their passion for service and their incessant desire to continue learning. In fact, for female chefs -- some of whom do all of the above while raising families -- the commitment to a lifestyle in hospitality is challenging, to say the least.
On this week’s podcast, we talk with AJ Dixon, chef and owner of Bay View’s Lazy Susan, about her day-to-day life as a female chef, mother and business owner. Along the way, we explore the challenges and rewards of the industry, including balancing daily responsibilities, relationships and business ownership. We delve into the very human struggle of balancing career and family and Dixon shares candid stories about her journey from a young, single chef to a married mother and full-time business owner.