Danielle Alex

Danielle Alex


Private Chef, TV/Digital Content & Recipe Developer at Diversity Kitchen


Know your worth and be willing to walk away. Some jobs are more headache than they are worth, especially if they are trying to get you for "cheap." There have been times I've walked away from low paying jobs, only for better opportunities to come along that I would not have been able to do, had I taken that first job.


EXPERIENCE
EDUCATION
Negotiate and speak up. No one will fight for you like you!
Working for various chefs and service instructors while I was at the Culinary Institute of America really impacted my career. There were many on and off site events that would hire students as cooks or servers. I was even able to secure a few events myself, while in school, in which I gained a wealth of experience while being coached and mentored through them. Having that experience with the support of some of the best in the industry was invaluable. Many skills I learned from them and on those jobs I still use today.
Kindness, generosity and thoughtfulness go a long way. People might forget what you've done, but they will never forget how you made them feel.
I continue to educate myself by traveling, talking and cooking with chef and non-industry friends, and looking in new places (i.e., book stores, online, different magazines, home cooks). I love to travel. And traveling with an open mind is everything. This is how you see, experience and learn things. Every place has something unique to offer.
Be teachable and humble. Ego can ruin a great thing. Keep learning, you don't know everything.
Don't believe your own press. Good, bad, ugly, move on.
It's easy to say good cooking skills are important, but it's so much more than that! I believe what sets many apart is one's ability to be flexible, communicate well, take constructive criticism, and be cool, calm and collected under pressure. And never underestimate the simplicity of just being pleasant to work with.
Social Media is not real, everyone looks good online.
I realized a long time ago that we only get one body in this life. Unfortunately there are no trade-ins for the "upgraded version." Therefore I need to treat and care for this one body that I have. Working as a chef is very physically demanding, so I plan out my week. There are certain days and certain seasons I will wake up at the crack of dawn to exercise so I can spend time with my kids in the afternoons. I make plans to see my friends and family in my calendar. My husband and I try to be intentional with date night. Opening a calendar and planning can change your life. And take vacation, real vacation. It doesn't have to be extravagant or far, stay with friends. But put the phone down and be present with those you're with. When you're off, be off.

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James Beard Award