
Jennifer Burns
Owner-Executive Chef
Ms. Groovy's Kitchen Charleston, WV
Ms. Groovy's Kitchen Charleston, WV
Owner-Executive Chef
I own and operate a catering company.
Every day is a little different. I cater business breakfasts, lunches and dinners as well as special events. So the day starts with me and my staff preparing the meals of the day. Start time depends on what meal we are preparing. The afternoons typically are spent managing the business and preparing for the next day. I'm very hands-on. Ms. Groovy's is a custom catering company, so the meals we prepare are all different.
Here's the first step for high school students
The food service industry is a trade industry. I have worked in every aspect of the business at this point from bus girl to general manager. My advice is to take advantage of every opportunity to learn every aspect of the business. Take the general business classes in high school if that person wants to own their own business one day. I've seen a lot of restaurants / catering companies come and go and it's usually because the owner does't know what they've gotten themselves into.
"You should get a safe job working 9 to 5 in an office or something. Maybe I could get a job teaching. I hear regularly that I work way too hard and she doesn't know how or why I do it."