Cate's is a classic story of following her instincts and winding up in a surprising place: a dream job. You can guess that the best part is that this job involves pie - versatile, delicious, and always tempting you with its curves. But better yet, Cate's good food job involves pie based on the mission of bringing people together to 'create businesses that transform communities,' thanks to her employers at Pie Lab in Greensboro, Alabama. If you're already feeling inspired enough to get involved, take Cate's advice and apply for one of their ongoing internships.
What attracted you to a good food job?
I have a diverse background from studying religion in undergrad, to creating a jewelry business while living in Hyderabad, India for a year, to recently completing a master's degree in International Affairs. I never thought I would be in the food industry. But then again, my grandmother studied home economics in college and makes the best food I've ever tasted, and my dad followed his passion to cooking school. In a family of chefs, I always thought good food was a given, I picked up a taste for anything gourmet or experimental, and I picked up a few skills that have just now come in handy. I packed up everything and moved from Atlanta to Greensboro, Alabama on a whim because of the inspirational cross between southern food, slow cooking, community, and business that pie creates. I am here learning about every angle of how to make quality pies, create jobs, and develop a community space that facilitates inspiration.
How did you get your current good food job?
That's a good question, because making the match between good people and good jobs is often miraculous. While I was flying abroad this summer I had a strong feeling in my gut that I just wanted to stay put in the south. Interesting from someone who lived in California, and had lived in or visited 28 countries. I wanted to invest my skills and leadership into southern communities. For some reason, I started thinking about pie. At first, I thought my Dad and I could open up a father-daughter bakery and make pie the next cupcake, or better yet, personal pies the next meal. A family friend of ours showed me the
Pie Lab website. My parents and I took a road trip to Pie Lab just to eat pie and I fell in love. I came back to volunteer and I ended up starting a national shipping program for frozen pies. I was offered a position and the rest is history.
How did your previous work or life experience prepare you for a good food job?
I've been thinking about this question a lot in the few months since I've been here. There is an incredible team in Greensboro composed of graphic designers, industrial engineers, bakers, accountants, home builders that all make Pie Lab and the projects it's associated with operate and expand. Those projects would be the Pecans! business started by YouthBuild, the HERO housing resource center, and Project M, the design organization that brought the original designers who created Pie Lab. All of these amazing people have made me wonder?.so what technical skills do I have? I'm crafty, and have started a line of aprons which will be debuted in our Apron Fashion show at Pie Lab on March 26th. I like to talk, I have spoken to organizations and at events from Birmingham to Atlanta to Tuscaloosa to Greensboro. And I have a broader vision - I have helped to spread the inspirational message that Pie Lab is founded on and shared a few pie slices along the way.
What advice do you have for others in search of a good food job?
If you see an organization that you really believe in, go to its physical location and volunteer. See if it's a good fit for you and if your skills can uniquely contribute to it's mission. Finding what we're passionate about is what takes some time, a lot of experiences, or even a few trips around the world.
If you could be compensated for your work with something other than money, what would it be?
Any work environment is more about the relationships than the money. Even if we think it's about money, what we have at the end of the day is our emotional well-being which is directly related to the people around us. Being on a good team makes all the difference. I would spend my days shoveling manure if I was on a strong team.
