Meet Katie Daugherty | Administrative Assistant at Chez Noir, Cat Mom, Chef

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

Hi Katie, how do you think about risk?
I would say that I took one of the biggest risks of my life this last year. For the first fifteen years of my career, I worked in marketing. I partnered with every type of business imaginable, from small local start-ups to nationally recognized music organizations. I thought the marketing industry was what I loved and what I wanted to do for the rest of my career, but found myself pigeon-holed; although I was successful, I was afraid to step-out of the box.

Long story short, I decided that I didn’t want to work in marketing anymore, that I wanted to work in the restaurant industry. I had waited tables in college, but what I really wanted to learn was what went on in the kitchen, how a restaurant moved from top to bottom. So, I moved and began working with a restaurant in Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA. Although it was scary, shocking, to be in a new industry, I loved everything about it! While I don’t work with that restaurant anymore, taking a risk like the one I did, to leave what was comfortable in order to pursue more, showed me that one, I could, and two, it propelled me into greater opportunity. I now work at a Michelin starred restaurant with an incredible team of people.

Up front, I’ve never been able to see the positives of taking risks… just wanting to keep things real. I want to, but risks have always appeared so terrifying. It took until I was well in my thirties, some big, scary life events, and the right people to propel me into taking risks… and it’s been worth it. The journey usually isn’t easy and it definitely isn’t a straight line; there are weeks where everything is amazing and I’m happy that I left my old life behind me to begin a new one. But there are also times when I wonder why I decided to leave my “normal” in order to do something completely different. But then I remember the person that I am, the woman I’m becoming and what I’ve accomplished, and this helps me take the next step forward.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’ve done so much but the majority of my professional career was spent in social media management and marketing.There are definitely parts of that world that bring me so much joy, but I knew that I wanted more. I’ve always loved working with food, learning about food culture around the world, and hearing how people connect with/from the food around them. I knew that if I stayed in a corporate setting, working for others, I would never be truly happy. So I made the huge move that I mentioned previously and decided to step out of my comfort zone. I had to decide if the uncertainty of this industry was worth a step of this size and it absolutely was. It’s been one of the hardest things that I’ve ever done, but so, so worth it.

I’m towards the beginning of this new chapter, but I know that I’m capable, that I have what it takes to see this through and to be successful. I want to open my own spot, and before would have never allowed myself to think seriously on something like this. I didn’t think that I had what it took to make a dream like that happen, but after the last few months, I know that I can do it. I’m going to be a good business owner, a great leader, and that I have what I need to make it happen. I want to bring people together, to help make them feel the same through food, drink, and connection.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Oh man, that would be the best thing ever. So…

Monday: we wake up, grab a coffee/croissant at my favorite bakery, Ad Astra, and then drive to Lover’s Point in Monterey for a walk along the beach. Ad Astra makes the BEST pastries in the city and there’s nothing better than starting a day there. There’s a brewery just down the road from my house that does Chef residencies, so I think we’ll pop in there and grab a bite for dinner.

Tuesday: Let’s have coffee at home, hang out with the cats, and in the afternoon we’ll visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium. I love going there and just meandering, especially taking time in the jellyfish exhibit, oh and watching the otters. The aquarium is small but mighty; they do cool things in/for the community as well as up and down our coast.

Wednesday: We pop into Parker Lusseau for a kouign aman, which might be one of my favorite pastries ever invented. Parker is a cute little French bakery in town that serves amazing, authentic pastry… oh and great coffee. At night, we’ll stop in at Pearl hour, a bar just up the street, for great cocktails. Wednesdays are jazz nights with a live band; the bar is so cute inside and there’s an amazing back garden with a fire pit, etc. This is always a chill spot for a drink and a chat.

Thursday: Coffee, duh… are you sensing the theme? We’ll go to another one of my favorite spots, Captain + Stoker. Great products! There are so many beaches near me, so we’ll head to the Del Monte beach, bring a book, and just chill for a while. Dinner would be Thai food at Zab Zab. Their Tom Kha fire pot is so good and the outside patio, with all of the greenery around you is just so fun and relaxing.

Friday: Friday is farmer’s market day! My favorite market always takes place on Friday mornings in the Del Monte Shopping Center parking lot. You can get everything that you need for your week right there. I usually grab fresh milk from Schoch Family Farmstead, potatoes, onions, tomatoes, and anything else that looks amazing (everything) from Borba Farms, greenhouse strawberries from Ichigo Farms, and there is always amazing citrus during the winter months, moving to berries in the spring and summer. This market is a highlight of my week, so we definitely won’t be missing it! We’ll then visit Point Lobos, the most gorgeous state park. Friday night we’ll have dinner at the house made from all the delicious market finds and then we’ll go to the beach and watch the sunset, listening to the waves.

Saturday: I think we’ll start the day with a bike ride along the Monterey coast. We’ll stop for brunch at Winston’s in Pacific Grove. It’s only a few streets up from the ocean and the food is so yummy… such a fun spot. Saturday night is dinner at Chez Noir of course for the prixe fixe menu. This is my all-time favorite place in the area. The food is always amazing, the service is 10/10, and the vibes are spot on. The menu changes daily, all local, all fresh, all amazing. We’ll end the night with a nightcap or two at Chez’s cute little bar with my favorite bartenders, Kelsey and Ashley. I would recommend an espresso martini and get yourself a cannelle. You won’t be disappointed!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Oh gosh. I wouldn’t be doing ANY of the things that I’m doing, or have ever done for that matter, without the support of my family. I’ve always been a free-spirit and without the support of these people, I just wouldn’t be who I am. My parents, Frank and Lynne, have truly supported me throughout all of my life and taught me that I can follow my heart, to go after the things that I want whether it makes sense to the world or not. I think that I’m finally able to do that and I attribute that whole-heartedly to them.

My brother is one of my biggest cheerleaders. He has been with me through so many ups and downs, and always reminds me how proud he is of me. He makes me feel funny, although I don’t know if I actually am, but because of him, I like to think so. I can always count on Jordan to dream with me but to keep me grounded. We’re so very opposite and I am so grateful for that.

There is without a doubt, absolutely no way, that I would have changed careers, moved cities, and started working in the restaurant industry without the support of my best friend, KT. She’s never been afraid of risks or change, and is such a huge influence in my life. She supports my crazy aspirations, and wants to not just see my dreams come true, but wants to do everything that she can to help me get there.

I think that I am now realizing just how much that I am capable of and it’s all because of my parents, my brother Jordan, KT, and my extended family and friends, who have believed in me, seeing what I was capable of from the start.

Also, I simply must mention “A Wrinkle In Time,” a book by my favorite author, Madeline L’Engle. I first read this book as a pre-teen, and almost 25 years later, its values and power stay with me. I still see myself as the main character, facing things she never thought she could ever face, overcoming crazy obstacles, and doing so with the support of her family and friends. Thank you, Madeline.

Instagram: katielynne.irl