fast and (Furey)ious at FAB: Charleston's women-based culinary bootcamp
Learning: it is what keeps the mind young. Henry ford once said, "Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty."

This isn't my typical blog post, more of a reflection on a very inspiring opportunity. This is a post that showcases heavy-hitting women in the culinary industry!
This year, for the second time, Randi Weinstein, the executive director of FAB in Charleston, South Carolina, granted me a scholarship to attend FAB. I cannot thank her enough for this opportunity. She is a wonderful businesswoman, friend and leader.

FAB is "educational and inspirational workshops created by women, for women in the hospitality industry." (www.thisfab.com )
Here is an article written about it in the Post and Courier by Hannah Raskin. (Click here.)
Pictured on the right is Vivian Howard and I after her lecture on creating a cookbook.
Here are some lessons that I learned, as well as descriptions of some of the speakers.
How to ask for what you really want: the art of negotiation
○ Martha Hoover- CEO of Patachou, a restaurant empire. She was named "the most important chef you didnt know" by Robb Report (click here.)
○ Melanie Tapp- F&B Senior Director at 21c Museum Hotels in Louisville, KY, she sold everything from wine to cats, before realizing that hospitality has her heart (click here.)
○ Moderator: Michele Stumpe- Seasoned lawyer in the hospitality industry, she sure rocks a red jumpsuit (click here.)
Change the power so that you have it.
Know the message that you are trying to deliver.
You are in the negotiations for a reason.
You might not be the smartest person, but make sure you are the most prepared.
You do NOT have to talk the whole time during a negotiation. Listening might just be
your best tool.
Give yourself outs in every negotiation..
Never accept the first offer.
What you do speaks so loudly that I can't hear you.
You always have to think of the positive impact that the negotiation could have on the
business.
Seek first to understand.