Today we’d like to introduce you to Blythe Beck.
Blythe, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I grew up in Houston, Texas. I begin my collegiate career at Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. I called for a to go order one day from a local favorite restaurant of mine and upon picking up my food I was offered a job as a hostess!! This changed my life!! I fell in love with the restaurant business and knew this is what I needed to do.
After much begging, pleading, and convincing my parents allowed me to transfer schools and I joined the University of North Texas where I earned a degree in Hospitality management with a minor in business. I then apprenticed for Dean Fearing at The Mansion on Turtle Creek. After almost five years with him, I went on to several restaurants in Dallas as Executive Chef including, Hector’s on Henderson, and Central 214 at the Hotel Palomar. In the midst of all of this, I sold a show to NBC/ Universal, called the Naughty Kitchen with Chef Blythe Beck. After a stint in Arkansas, I came back to Dallas to earn the Executive Chef position at Kitchen Lto, where I met my amazing business partner, Casie Caldwell!! After, some Pinot Grigio we decided to have our baby…. PINK MAGNOLIA!!!!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Well, heck no! it hasn’t been a smooth road!! What’s the fun in that?!?!? Being a woman in the industry has certainly been an obstacle! Kitchens are like glorified male locker rooms!! It is fun but sometimes very challenging. Money, time, and peace are also quite difficult to come by in this business from time to time. It doesn’t matter though; all the challenges are worth it!!!! I still have the best damn job in the world!!! I get to play with food for a living and get paid for it!! I get to share and celebrate people’s most special moments in the world!!! I always feel honored every time someone chooses Pink Magnolia!!!
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Pink Magnolia – what should we know?
Pink Magnolia specializes in swanky southern food. We make food you grew up eating we just add more bacon, butter, and booze. Nothing is more important to us then our families!! We feel like every time we open our doors we are inviting people in our home!!! There are fun little touches and surprises all over the restaurant that our odes to our family and our stories!! We also invite our company, (that’s what we call our guests) to share their stories, their recipes, and their traditions with us!! The thing I am most proud about our business is my business partner and my staff!! We are truly a family and we conduct our business as such!
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Get in the dirt!!! Don’t ask anyone to do something you wouldn’t do or haven’t done! Be present every day for every shift!! Do what you say and mean it!!! Most of all work every day with gratitude and appreciation for those that depend on you, work side by side with you, and the people that support you!!!
Contact Info:
- Address: 642 West Davis,
Dallas, Texas 75208 - Website: Pinkmagnoliadallas.com
- Phone: 469-320-9220
- Email: contact@pinkmagnoliadallas.com
Image Credit:
Blythe Beck
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