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

Hi Jennifer, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I was brought to a crossroads in my career as a chef, and I came to the realization that if I was going to continue down the same path, it was going to be on my terms

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My career started back in 1996 when I was just 19 years old. I was young and in love and needed to start on my own path. I took a position at Fitzbillie’s Bagels, a very busy downtown bakery/restaurant/coffee shop in Spokane, WA. What started out as being a barista soon grew into being a prep cook, baker, and eventually General Manager. This all happened within a matter of a year. It was at this point that I realized I had a knack for this type of career. I then decided I would apply at another very popular downtown restaurant (Mizuna) to get some “real life” kitchen experience under my belt. Owners Sophia and Tonya were hesitant to hire someone so “green” to run their lunch shift, but they both agreed that they saw something in me and afforded me the opportunity to start my journey. From that day forward, I dove deep into everything culinary. I put my head down, and soaked up everything that I could like a sponge. Years later, and a couple of handfuls of restaurants in my past (my hubby was active duty air force so we moved every 4 years) I realized that what set me apart from a lot of other chefs at the time was that I was self taught, diligent, and eager to prove that I could do it just as good as a man, Sacrificing countless hours, holidays, family events, etc in order to prove myself worthy wound up making me angry and bitter. I found myself looking in the mirror and asking myself Why? Why am I doing this all for the benefit of others (owners, corporate, etc). It was when I was offered the opportunity to open a restaurant as the Executive Chef with a previous mentor that it all came to fruition. I worked tirelessly to make this restaurant opening a success and I did just that. Less than a year later I was presented with a firm handshake and the famous last words ” we appreciate all that you have done for us, but we can no longer afford you.” That was a huge turning point in my life. I had never been in that position before and it scared me. I was mad. I was frustrated. I blamed myself. I then decided that I was going to use that anger to push me through and to prove that I didn’t need them anyway. That is when New Bold Cuisine started. What started as a meal prep business, quickly grew into a full fledged personal chef and catering business. Seven years since that handshake that wrecked my world, I can now say in confidence, it is the most impactful handshake of my career and life

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?
I sadly lost my best friend Sunny to MS nearly 10 years ago. Not a day goes by that I don’t think of her. My business logo is a sunflower which was always her favorite flower. I chose this as my logo so she too can continue to be a part of my journey. If she were to visit me today, I would definitely take her to all my favorite Forney spots. It is very important to me to support local small businesses such as Lucky’s, Wings over Forney, Thai Square, and Stables. Dallas and outlying areas have so much to offer as well. We would have to take in a concert at Dos Esquis, a hockey game (if the St. Louis Blues are in town) at AA Center, go bar hopping in Deep Ellum, and East Dallas, go line dancing at Southern Junction in Rockwall, and finish up the trip by getting a tattoo from my favorite artist Brian Hall at Love It or Lose It in Royse City

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to give a HUGE shoutout to my husband Craig, my parents Earl & Cara, and my close friends for being supportive of my decision to jump in head first into establishing my business

Website: https://www.newboldcuisine.com

Instagram: New Bold Cuisine

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1AvFKZGvpG/

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