20 Under 40 – Savannah Rogers
24
Formerly of The Preston of the Park Cities
Education: Johnson & Wales University
From the time she was a child cooking with her grandmother, Savannah Rogers knew she wanted to be a chef.
“She used to teach me so many dishes, and we’d cook for hours together. From that very young age, I told myself I wanted to do this for the rest of my life,” Rogers said. “I just remember how happy everyone would be when they took a bite of her food and how food always brought people together and spread joy no matter the occasion.”
She started as a sous chef at the Preston of the Park Cities retirement community in 2018 and worked her way up to director of dining services.
“Since (starting at the Preston), I have been a part of the Saint Michael’s Farmers Market every summer and run a booth that used all fresh ingredients from the vendors that are present to do a chef demo recipe of the day,” Rogers said. “I have catered at some very extravagant parties in Dallas, and we even catered a wedding this past year as well. I love being part of community events like the Snider Plaza Tree Lighting Ceremony. We had such a great time.”
She hopes to open a coffee shop someday.
Q: What was your first job, and what did you learn from it?
A: My first job was in a senior living community as a cook/server. I worked in Keller because my grandparents lived there,
and the chef was eager to have a hungry want-to-be culinary student in the kitchen. I learned so much about mise en place. I learned how to plan ahead and work as a team, much like I had in my sports days. The job was so rewarding working with seniors. Giving back to those who gave to us years before has always resonated with me. It’s why I’m in the industry that I am now eight years later.
Q: If you could buy a book (or rent a movie) for your neighbor, what would it be and why?
A: I would always recommend Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain. He was a pioneer of my industry, and his words ring true to the industry of the trials and rewards a chef will go through in their journey to culinary excellence.
Q: What do you love most about your community?
A: I love how food-centric this community in Dallas is. There are so many talented chefs in the area that there is great competition and the urge to keep pushing the envelope. I enjoy the community events and how everyone puts their time and effort into enriching other people’s lives by using their skills and talents.
Q: What is your favorite local store?
A: I really love the weekend farmers markets and getting to buy local from the amazing vendors who put their love, sweat, and efforts into their product. On the daily though I like to frequent Central Market. They have such a great selection of product and proteins that are harder to find at your local grocery store.
Q: Where is the best place in the Park Cities or Preston Hollow for a power lunch – what do you order?
A: I really enjoy Unleavened Fresh Kitchen for a gluten-free wrap with a kumbucha and cold brew coffee! It’s the perfect pick me up and they are so good with allergies and cautious about cross-contamination. Out of their 14 different wraps I have not been disappointed by any of them–and I’ve nearly tried them all!
