CanadianSME Small Business Magazine had an enlightening discussion with Jennifer Baglione, founder of BaglioneStagione and a MasterChef Canada finalist. She opened up about her journey as a female entrepreneur in the competitive hospitality industry and how her experiences equipped her for her partnership with Tre’dish. Tre’dish, a platform that empowers local food entrepreneurs, has had a significant impact on her business and brought unique opportunities. Jennifer also shared her thoughts on the revolutionary role of technology platforms like Tre’dish in transforming the hospitality industry and supporting small, local food businesses. A staunch advocate for increasing female representation in the hospitality sector, she also discussed how this diversity could enrich the industry and encouraged more women to venture into food entrepreneurship.
Jennifer is a talented chef and a former contestant on the popular cooking competition show, MasterChef Canada. She is known for her innovative and creative culinary skills, as well as her ability to stay calm and focused under pressure. Since appearing on the show, Jennifer has continued to pursue her culinary dreams, working as a private chef and catering events across Canada. She is known for her commitment to using fresh, locally sourced ingredients and her dedication to creating unique and unforgettable dining experiences for her clients
As a remarkable female food entrepreneur and MasterChef Canada finalist, can you share a bit about your journey in the hospitality industry, especially as a woman navigating this competitive field?
Traditionally as females, we are raised to believe that a woman’s place is in the kitchen, but when you get to these commercial spaces/ kitchens, you quickly learn how male-dominated these spaces are. It was a surprising revelation that challenged the expectations ingrained in me. Regardless of my qualifications and achievements, I quickly realized I needed to prove myself and earn my place in every kitchen I set foot in. This journey has demanded relentless hard work and unwavering dedication, constantly testing my resilience. Overcoming the challenges I encountered not only strengthened me as a chef but also shaped me into a stronger individual. Each hurdle provided a valuable lesson, teaching me resilience, adaptability, and the importance of breaking down gender barriers. In this male-dominated field, I have not only defied societal expectations but have also paved the way for other aspiring female chefs.
It has been a wild and unpredictable ride, but I am immensely grateful for the opportunities to face these obstacles head-on. They serve as stepping stones to accept further challenges and embrace the continuous process of learning and growing.
How have your experiences in MasterChef Canada and in the hospitality industry prepared you for your partnership with Tre’dish?
MasterChef Canada allowed me to work on and refine my time and stress management. These are two aspects that you don’t only encounter with your work but you experience in every part of life. Anytime there were last-minute changes, high volume in orders, or simply becoming overwhelmed, I was able to use the skills learned on MasterChef Canada to keep up with customer demand.
Moreover, the show exposed me to high-pressure situations, constantly pushing me outside of my comfort zone. As a result, I developed strong stress management skills to thrive in such an environment. The demanding challenges, unexpected twists, and the pressure of being evaluated by esteemed judges added immense stress. However, I quickly realized that succumbing to stress would hinder my performance. Through the guidance and mentorship provided on the show, I learned various techniques to stay composed, focused, and calm under pressure.
The skills I refined on the show have been particularly valuable in customer-oriented environments, such as restaurants or food service establishments. When faced with sudden rushes or a high volume of orders, I can draw upon my time management techniques to ensure efficient service and timely delivery. Additionally, my enhanced stress management abilities enable me to remain calm and composed, ensuring quality in every dish I prepare and providing excellent customer experiences even in demanding situations. Now, I have been able to take these skills with me to Tre’dish, becoming a better chef for my customers.
Tre’dish is positioned as a platform that empowers local food entrepreneurs to share their authentic dishes and stories. How has partnering with Tre’dish impacted your business, and what unique opportunities has it presented?
Tre’dish has been an incredible asset to my business, providing practical assistance and restoring my hope and confidence to continue on my entrepreneurial journey. As a food entrepreneur, operating in a risk-prone environment becomes second nature. Constantly navigating economic fluctuations, seeking out the right opportunities, and creating customer demand is no easy task. However, Tre’dish is a powerful ally, equipping businesses with a comprehensive arsenal of resources to elevate their operations. It is such a unique position to be in because you have access to such large-scale opportunities, networks, and so many open doors all at the touch of your fingertips.
One of the standout features of Tre’dish is its full-service approach. The platform seamlessly integrates a SaaS platform on the back end, enabling businesses to manage and process detailed order information efficiently. This streamlined system optimizes operations, simplifying tasks such as order tracking, inventory management, customer communications, and much more. By automating these processes, Tre’dish frees up valuable time and resources, allowing me and other chefs to focus on delivering exceptional products and services. One feature that I think is very important to highlight is Tre’dishs access to a buying group so that food entrepreneurs can save money and increase profitability. Going beyond just providing necessary tools to help aid businesses, Tre’dish takes it a step further to care for the profitability of everyone’s business on the platform.
Tre’dish goes above and beyond on the marketplace front by actively driving customer traffic to businesses. Through strategic partnerships, targeted marketing campaigns, and a robust online presence, Tre’dish attracts a diverse range of customers to the platform. It has been a dream working with Tre’dish; they really want businesses and chefs to thrive and have created a platform that does just that.
How do you see technology platforms like Tre’dish revolutionizing the hospitality industry, particularly in supporting small and local food businesses?
Platforms like Tre’dish are vital in revitalizing the passion and love that once thrived in the hospitality industry. With fewer new generations entering the industry, Tre’dish acts as a catalyst, inspiring individuals to pursue their goals and dreams within the culinary world. Tre’dish offers a renewed sense of confidence to aspiring food entrepreneurs by providing a supportive and empowering environment.
One of the significant contributions of Tre’dish is its comprehensive approach to business development. The platform serves as a valuable checklist, guiding and educating businesses on the intricacies of running a successful venture. It offers a wealth of resources, from financial planning and marketing strategies to operational insights and customer engagement techniques. By consolidating this knowledge into an accessible format, Tre’dish empowers newcomers and existing businesses to navigate the industry more easily and efficiently.
The impact of Tre’dish extends beyond practical assistance. It fosters community and collaboration among its members, allowing them to connect, share experiences, and learn from one another. Tre’dish helps entrepreneurs overcome the challenges and obstacles that often accompany starting or growing a business by providing a supportive network.
You are a strong advocate for increased female representation in the hospitality sector. In your opinion, how does this diversity influence the food and hospitality industry? And how can we encourage more women to take the leap into food entrepreneurship?
If women constantly focus on uplifting each other and showcasing the wins and the blueprint it takes to succeed as a food entrepreneur, it will encourage more women to join. As mentioned, it is a male-dominated industry, and a few strong women can build a village. We must really work to mentor one another and share wins and challenges along the way.
