I’m rounding out the week long ‘Inspiring and Successful Women’ series with Sarah Bouissou, Chef and Restaurant Owner. Bouissou and her husband Bernard are the owners of the award winning Bernard’s (opened in 2000), Sarah’s Wine Bar (opened in 2008), and Sarah Bouissou Catering all in Ridgefield, Connecticut. While Bouissou is the Head Chef for Catering (her husband is Head Chef of Bernard’s and Sarah’s Wine Bar) she also handles all the marketing, PR, and booking of events and parties for both restaurants. She’s a busy gal! Let’s see what this mother of four has to say.
Did you always know you wanted to be a chef/restaurant owner?
No, I always loved to cook, but it wasn’t until I went away to college for one year that I realized that was not for me – I started waitressing in a French restaurant and that is when I realized this was what I wanted to do – when I met Bernard it was then that we both knew that we wanted to have a restaurant together.
How would you describe Sarah’s Wine Bar and Bernards?
SWB is a more casual version of Bernard’s – we don’t take reservations, have small and large plates, and a special $25 wine list.
Bernard’s is more fine dining – featuring an award winning wine list (over 1600 different wines). Bernard’s was voted best restaurant in Connecticut by CT Magazine 2014 – we were also named business of the year in Ridgefield this year, as well.
What is your typical day like?
My typical day usually starts with a run with a friend in the morning, a bike ride or a spin class – I’m usually at the restaurant by 10 – check phones, emails take care of social media, meet with guests looking to have private parties, answer phones – during dinner I greet our guests, chat with regulars, introduce myself to new guests and ask about their meal and experience in hopes to turn them into regulars. If I have a catering job, at about 2:30 or 3:00 I begin packing the truck for the event which sometimes they are local, sometimes in NYC or Westchester. Cook for the party, clean up, repack the truck and head back to the restaurant – sometimes this is quite late.
What is the most challenging thing about your job?
Some days are more challenging then others – but that’s what keeps things interesting!
What is the most rewarding thing about your job?
The most rewarding thing is that people choose to spend their special occasions with us and I help to make them even more special. We catered a wedding a few weeks ago and the bride came in a few days later to say thank you – she said we exceeded every expectation she had and she started to tear up – saying it was the greatest day of her life – that’s rewarding!!
What is your advice for someone who wants to be a chef or a restaurant owner?
The advice that I have given many times over is to work in the type of restaurant that you would like to own and work there for a while – nights, weekends, holidays – to really get the feel of what your life will be like – and then when you are working for them treat it like it is yours – learn all the ins and outs of every job because when you have your own restaurant you are no longer just chef or front of the house – you are dishwasher, plumber, electrician, cleaning person and the list goes on.
Another thing is that Bernard and I have 4 daughters and the one thing that we think is so important is giving 100% and following your passion – that makes all the difference in the world – the restaurant business, whether you are a chef or chef owner is 24/7 and to be successful you need to be all in! If you look at the top chefs and restaurants – they are constantly reinventing themselves, staying with the trends and making themselves better every day. It is a very tough business – I think the success rate is about 8% in the first 2 years – so you need to be strong, tough and smart!
The best advice you’ve ever received (and who did the advice come from)?
When I was working at Le Cirque – Sirio Maccioni was the consummate host – whatever the guest wanted if it was physically possible for us to make it happen we would – it is always about the guests experience – and when you lead with a yes instead of a no – that always is the way to go!
Thanks, Sarah!
If you are ever in the Ridgefield area, I urge you to check out Bernard’s and/or Sarah’s Wine Bar. Both are truly incredible!