Call Me Chef, with Rhonda McCullar
What does it mean to be a chef, a woman, a sister, or a mother? These are the questions that Rhonda McCullar, our guest on today’s show, is on a mission to find answers for, for herself. In her first-ever interview, Rhonda candidly shares her vulnerabilities, the challenging experiences that have led her to where she is today, and her plans going forward. Rhonda started out her working life as a biology teacher and she has transferred many of her learnings from the science field into the culinary one. This seemingly unlikely combination has been fundamental to Rhonda’s success, as has her ability to persevere through hard times. Rhonda is determined to bring awareness to the culinary world about holistic eating and giving back to the community, and this is a passion we can wholly get behind! In today’s discussion, we get into what it means to be a black, female chef in an industry that has largely ignored our demographic in the past, and how Rhonda has managed to overcome the feeling that she doesn’t belong in the space and take ownership of her well-deserved title: Chef.
Key Points From This Episode
Rhonda shares how she is feeling during her first-ever interview!
How Rhonda’s mom influenced her life and her career path.
How tragedy struck Rhonda’s family after graduation and how it altered the course of her life.
Rhonda’s first job, and when she made the decision to enter the culinary world.
Where Rhonda worked in her first culinary role.
What drew Rhonda to Uchi.
The role that Rhonda’s science background plays in her job as a chef.
Why the ability to problem solve is such a vital skill for a chef.
Indications that Rhonda is finding her own self-expression in the food industry.
Similarities between Rhonda and Tiffani’s life paths.
Rhonda’s hesitation to call herself a chef at first, and how her mindset has changed.
Awareness that Rhonda hopes to bring to the food world.
What Rhonda loves about working at Uchi.
People who Rhonda gets her inspiration from.
Rhonda’s definition of success.
The passion that Rhonda feels about giving back to her community, and the ways that she does this.
