Today is International Women’s Day – a day for people all over the world to #PressForProgress and continue the momentum towards gender parity. It is also a day to celebrate all of the amazing accomplishments women like achieve every single day! In today’s blog we are shining the light on a woman who contributes to the daily success of Liuna Gardens with hard work, creativity and a whole lot of delicious food! We caught up with our very own Executive Chef, Amanda Steen to find out what International Women’s Day means to her, the definition of a “successful” woman and what advice the Chef would give her 15 year old self.
LG: Tell us a little bit about yourself?
AS: I am family orientated. My family is very important to me; I am married to the most supportive man. We have two beautiful children Hudson, 5 and Georgia, 2. I am a Niagara College Culinary alumnus. I have been with Liuna Gardens/Liuna Station for 20 years and have been the Executive Chef for the past year at Liuna Gardens. I like to listen to country music in the kitchen.
LG: Today is International Women’s Day. What does that mean to you?
AS: Today is about celebrating women and all their accomplishments. It is about recognizing how far we have come in the last 100 years but also understanding how much further we need to go.
LG: What does it mean to you to be a “successful” woman?
AS: A successful woman is someone who is passionate about what she does. If you are not passionate you probably are not motivated to go above and beyond. A successful woman does not need to be a perfectionist – you can’t do everything perfectly all of the time. Successful women are not afraid to take risks. They also express gratitude towards those around them.
LG: What is your proudest accomplishment?
AS: My Family is my greatest accomplishment.
LG: What advice do you have for young women wanting to get into your line of work?
AS: Trust your gut, never settle, travel the world and never stop learning. Be prepared to work long, hard hours, evenings, weekends and holidays.
LG: If you could give your 15 year old self any advice, what would it be?
AS: Talk less and listen more. And don’t be afraid to say no! Trust your instincts – they are usually right.
We’d like to thank Chef Amanda for taking some time away from cooking up delicious meals at Liuna Gardens to chat with us and provide some food for thought about International Women’s Day. We are so proud of all of the strong, smart, motivated women who contribute to the success of Liuna Gardens every day. Happy International Women’s Day to all!
Stay tuned for weekly blog updates and make sure to connect with Liuna Gardens on Instagram and Facebook as we deliver fresh, new content to inspire, excite and assist as you plan your dream event. While you’re at it, head over to Liuna Station’s blog to check out our recent interview with Susanna Alvarez, Corporate Sales at Liuna Station as she shares her thoughts with us on International Women’s Day.
