I’m sure I wasn’t the only PWCC member who was both entertained and inspired at the Nov. 9 luncheon/panel discussion featuring Ina Pinkney (“The Breakfast Queen”) and Gale Gand, host of the Food Network’s popular “Sweet Dreams” program. The two friends, both of whom are top-ranked Chicago chefs, seemed so in sync with one another that they could almost finish each other’s sentences (with some great one-liners included).
Each woman, though, had her own experiences and philosophy that have guided her to the success she now enjoys. Ina, for example, came to see that she was meant to be an entrepreneur after she had been fired from 19 of 21 jobs she had. After first establishing Ina’s Kitchen, a premier breakfast restaurant, she found further success as the chef/owner of Ina’s, a very popular restaurant in the West Loop.
I found her public relations strategy to be especially noteworthy. Her goal, she said, is to be mentioned in every section of the newspaper except the food section. Being mentioned in the business section, for example, broadens her name recognition and therefore increases the number of potential customers.
Gale’s path to success started differently. After working in such seemingly disparate areas as music and bookkeeping, Gale was asked to cook something at a restaurant. She said she immediately felt a connection to what she was doing. Now, along with hosting “Sweet Dreams,” she is the executive pastry chef and partner of the four-star Tru Restaurant in Chicago. She is also the author of seven cookbooks.
Ina’s parting advice seemed to sum up their accomplishments. “All your experiences have a reason,” she said. “Follow your passion and your heart, and you’ll end up where you want to be.” That’s certainly a recipe for success for each of us!
Submitted by Kathy Swain, who serves on the PWCC Communications Committee. Kathy is a freelance writer and editor with more than 20 years of experience in the fields of communications and publishing. Her work ranges from writing brochures, news releases, and feature articles to editing and proofreading manuals and textbooks. In additional to being a published author, Kathy has won awards for feature articles and classroom materials. She owns Word Matters (www.WordMattersChicago.com) and can be reached at k-swain@sbcglobal.net.