Life & Work with Amir Salih

Amir Salih

Hi Amir, I’m so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, how can you bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I hail from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania! Initially, I pursued Kinesiology and Psychology at Penn State but eventually dropped out and delved into the culinary world, working in various kitchens. Ironically, I found myself returning to my roots, having spent my childhood in a bakery/café. My mother, a retired, award-winning French Pastry Chef, pursued her dream of owning a restaurant. Following her graduation from the Philadelphia Restaurant School, the first floor of our house was transformed into a bakery, which also served as a reservation-only fine dining café on weekends. Additionally, we operated a food truck selling our pastry goods around the city, so you could say I was truly reconnecting with my heritage.

Delving deeper into my family history, my great-grandmother emerged as one of the first black restaurateurs in Philadelphia. She sustained herself by catering to longshoremen as the proprietor of “The Choo Choo Place.” So the culinary arts run deep in my family, and I now proudly carry that torch!

It wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?

Prior to relocating to Jacksonville in the summer of 2019, I held the position of Lead Back-of-House Trainer for a corporate restaurant group. During my tenure spanning over a decade, I helped operate the most lucrative and productive restaurant among the umbrella of 40+ units. My experience also includes stints with renowned companies such as Hyatt Regency and Whole Foods Markets. However, when the pandemic struck, circumstances led me to become my mother’s caregiver. After exploring various work-from-home options, I eventually decided to bet on myself.

Subsequently, I secured a role as a personal chef for eight months. Backed by the encouragement of friends, family, and even strangers who were privy to some of my work, I took the plunge and established my own catering company in early fall 2023. Presently, I am the proud owner and operator of S&S Culinary Creations, headquartered here in Jacksonville.

The service industry constantly presents its challenges. Despite the glamorization of food service on social media and network television shows, those deeply involved in the industry understand that it’s not for the faint of heart! Having spent most of my life in food service, I’ve found that perfect days are rare. The relentless pursuit of perfection can be mentally taxing, and the anxiety it brings is a constant test. Yet, it’s precisely this challenge that drives those of us who are passionate about service. There’s always something to strive for, and within that struggle lies the true reward and fulfillment.

I’ve experienced days where everything seemed to go awry, from power outages to food purveyors failing to show up, and even having to assist in reviving an employee who was experiencing cardiac arrest. In the face of such adversity, the resiliency and dedication required in this profession becomes abundantly clear along the way.

As the current owner and operator of S&S Culinary Creations in Jacksonville, FL, I specialize in delivering clean, creative, and flavorful food experiences for my clientele. What distinguishes me is not only my extensive experience in the industry but also my unwavering passion for it. I have a genuine love for food, which is matched by my enthusiasm to be of service.

Every time I serve someone, my goal is to leave them with a positive memory of the meal they’ve enjoyed. Whether it’s through innovative flavors, overall creativity, or personalized attention, I strive to create an unforgettable culinary experience for each and everyone I serve.

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Along the journey, you learn many invaluable lessons, but perhaps the most crucial is the commitment to give it your all. If you choose to shoulder a task, dedicate yourself to it completely. While it may not always be possible to deliver 100% on every front every single day, you can certainly choose the amount of effort dedicated towards whatever capacity you’re operating in. There will be days when you must accept that you’re giving your all to only a fraction of what you typically are capable of. It won’t always be glamorous; it may be painful, stressful, and it definitely will be challenging. I’ve found that the key is to consistently give your best, whatever that may be, and to keep moving forward.

1 Comment

1. 

   Agatha

   June 3, 2024 at 3:40 pm

   Congratulations Amir, good to see you are following your childhood passion while keeping your family’s legacy of cooking alive. Congratulations again, I know your mama is super proud

   Reply