We recently connected with Sara Cox and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Sara, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
There is a quote that I love so much that says “If you can’t figure out your purpose, figure out your passion. For your passion will lead you right into your purpose” -Bishop T.D. Jakes
I have always known that food, and specifically the food-service industry, were my passion. To me, being able to connect with people and bring them together through the vehicle of food, has always been a magical thing. My love language is gift-giving, and having the platform to consistently give that love with my cooking has always motivated me and secured my desire to work as a Chef. It is truly a blessing to wake up and know that I am lucky enough to fulfill my purpose every single day, meet incredible people and cook at some of the most amazing and breath-taking locations.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
At Catering, by Chef Cox & Co. we specialize in private events in our client’s homes as well as corporate events all over the greater Saint Louis area. By nature of what we do, we are able to travel to a lot of unique locations and have done events as far out at Owensville and Marthasville, Missouri to Smithton and Edwardsville, Illinois. We work off of seasonal menus and also create customized menus for themed or specific cuisine driven events. From appetizers + hors d’oeuvres and coursed dinner parties to bartending and serving, we provide a memorable experience where our clients and their guests are able to enjoy the event without the stress of having to do any of the work.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
The three qualities that have been the most impactful in my professional journey have been goal-setting, discipline and consistency.
Without goals and a clear vision of who you are, what you provide and where you’re going, it is easy to get lost in the day to day and wander aimlessly in your career. Don’t just think about the goals; write them down, talk about them, remind yourself daily to stay motivated and ensure that you are on the right path. Always ask, is this bringing me closer to my goal or is it keeping me stuck. I am a huge proponent of not just setting goals, but slaying them.
Discipline is without a doubt the mortar that is needed to build that foundation of a successful career and business. Without that key ingredient, it does not matter what the goals you set out to achieve are, you will not be able to push through the ups and downs and challenges that are bound to occur. The discipline of self will allow you to do what is right, avoid cutting corners and give it your all, even when you don’t feel like it.
Consistency is the difference between all time greats and one hit wonders (another favorite quote). We are what we repeatedly do and if you combine this core character trait with discipline, goal setting and achieving, you’ll always overcome and succeed.
Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
Without a doubt and always without hesitation when I am asked this, it is unequivocally, Chef Chris DuPont. I had the honor to work for him at Cafe DuPont in Birmingham, Alabama. Working under him shaped me as a Chef but also more importantly, as a person. So many of the daily practices that I have in my work and personal life were instilled under his mentorship. You are who you surround yourself with and I was very fortunate to have had such a great role-model to look up to and someone who still to this day, twenty years later, has my back no matter what and will always give me the sound advice that I need.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.chefcoxcateringco.com
- Instagram: @ChefCoxCateringCo
- Facebook: @ChefCoxCateringCo
