Meet Closing the Gap Guest Speaker, Devon Chase!
What an exciting way to end 2021! Devon Chase (They/Them/She/Her) is the Chef and Co-owner of the restaurant, Saint Perpetua Patio, in Yachats, Oregon. Join us as we talk about opening a small business and building a career and skillset through on-the-job training rather than attending college or a trade school.
Q: Devon, please describe your educational/training background.
I completed some college and have trained on the job and under many great chefs
Q: Career-wise, what have been your proudest moments/highlights/accomplishments so far?
Opening my own restaurant has been my proudest accomplishment by far but cooking at the James Beard house is a very close second
Q: What are some of your future goals or things you would like to accomplish?
Lol, right now all I can concentrate on is keeping our restaurant going and not losing my mind… In the future, I would love to expand and open another location with different cuisine.
Q: What have been some of your biggest career challenges?
Time management and self-care have been my biggest personal challenges for sure. Career-wise I’d say it’s been continuing upward momentum. Don’t get stuck in a job you’re good at it, because the establishment wants to keep you there, and it’s comfortable. Keep growing and learning!
Q: Many young women might not be aware of the career available in STEM fields. What do you think can be done to spread the word to women about career options in these fields?
I think you guys are doing a great job! White men don’t dominate the culinary field. They are just in the public eye more. Podcasts, interviews, and articles about the rest of us will only help!
Q: Do you have any advice for women who are looking to follow a similar career path?
Yeah, do it! Get a job washing dishes or prepping and go from there. Starting in the field is the best way to see if you like it before dropping a bunch of money on culinary school only to graduate and be a dishwasher or prep cook.
Q: What do you like to do for fun in your spare time?
I love spending time by and in the water and with friends and my dog. Drop me in a floatie and let me go!
Devon is also willing to host internships or stages for any BIPOC and LGBTQIA youth interested in the culinary field.
Resources:
- Podcast is available on December 28th LISTEN HERE or on SPOTIFY!
- Download Devon’s Closing the Gap poster.
- Watch Devon in action.
- Connect with Devon and Saint Perpetua Patio here.
Listen to past episodes of the podcast on our Closing the Gap page.
***Photo of Devon Chase taken from enotecanostrana.com***
