Meet Dawn Sloan: The Roaming Chef

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dawn Sloan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dawn, do you have some perspective or insight you can share with us on the question of when someone should give up versus when they should keep going?
I love this question….I have a philosophy I always go to when I feel like giving up or giving in: it’s easy to give up before you look up or reach out. Today may be a struggle…..just to see what you’re made of. Being a woman of faith, I am constantly reminded where my help comes from and how I started this business- by taking a leap of faith and allowing God to guide every and all decisions. Growth comes from being uncomfortable- when you put in the time; effort and do the research, you need to trust the process. That’s the most difficult part of being an entrepreneur- believing in and trusting the process.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
This is my second stage of life…. I followed my true passion and became a chef at 37. I trained at Le Cordon Bleu and worked and trained in Michelin Star restaurants. When I moved to Spain, not speaking a word of Spanish, much less basque, in 8 months I managed to become Chef de Partied in this 3 Michelin Star restaurant…. I never gave up…. no matter how much I was yelled at and struggled. It pressed my passion to become the first black master chef. My chef, Eneko, pushed me to better than I ever thought I could be and pushed me toward my passion closer. He once told me that he was proud of me for sticking in and staying. The really thought I was going to quit or give in….I just pressed in. Because of that – we BOTH believe I will do great things in this community. When I was working in Spain at the untimely and unfortunate incident when I went blind. I was in the middle of service and I, all of a sudden, lost my sight- complete blindness. That’s when I learned what I was made of and that God has a designed purpose for my life. At that moment I knew I could either give up and go home or find out how much I trusted a Lord I served for so long….. I trusted and God showed His Face and not in the way you would think. After having, at least, one surgery a month for an entire year on my eyes, and receiving only a portion of my sight back… I was gifted with an acute sense of smell and taste.. I can taste flavors before they are cooked; I can put them together in my mind.. I don’t need timers or tell when food is done, I can smell it- almost down to the minute. There are always going to be obstacles to obtaining your dreams- are you willing to work through them to obtain them? The only person that can stop you from getting their… is you.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Houston has so many amazing places…….but I’m a foodie. My tour revolves around the food scene. I would start the day with a relaxing and amazing coffee joint called ThroughGood Coffee. The vibe, the employees and the simple location makes it the perfect spot to start the day For lunch, taking it lite, I would have us lounge at the original Tiny Boxwoods. After having one of their amazing salads, we would have some of my favorite- milk and chocolate chip macadamia nut cookies. Before dinner, after taking a stroll through our newly crafted Memorial Park, we would grab a beautiful gin & tonic crafted cocktail at Julip and end with amazing Thai food at Kym Dees. The pad Thai is wrapped in an egg omelette to keep it moist and tender

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My shoutout goes out to a couple of people: the ENTIRE Sloan Family…. my family supports me and my faith jumps. They continue to support me and have my back. My 2nd shoutout goes to a man that not only has my back but encourages me to keep dreaming big: and prays for me, Dr Rudy Rasmus.. My best friend for over 25 years Mechelle Garrett- through my good and bad, ups and down, my best friend who knows me in and BUT still loves me. Lastly- a man that constantly makes me laugh,, loves my deeply from afar , prayers for me and encourages me, Norman A. Watkins Jr. I have a really great community with roots that run deep. I am blessed!

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